How long have you been in the hobby?

Finnaddict · Sep 13, 2014

Been in the aquarium hobby since about 1980 with freshwater and got into reefing about 1988,89. So all together about 34 years and reef about 24.

anarchy · Sep 13, 2014

Freshwater for 3-4 years and reef for 1 year

hutch2828 · Sep 13, 2014

I started a year ago as a college senior with my girlfriend. I'm addicted. Seems like I've been in it for 5 years, so much hassle happened to our tank and now we just started a frag tank

Rob Top1 · Sep 13, 2014

Wife got me a 10 gallon our first Christmas together in 1996. She should have known my additive personality would make this trouble. By June of 97 there were 14 tanks in our one bedroom apartment. Did FW till 98 when I got salty and did both till 02 when I switched the last FW over. Still have that 10gal but use it in my lizard breading. One of 30 tanks with that addiction and have 13 tanks for the SW addiction. Currently 15 lizard tanks are full and 7 Sw

gregcoyote · Sep 13, 2014

Started freshwater in 1962. Started in salt in 1980. Current reef has been up since 1990.

Robink · Sep 13, 2014

Fresh water about 30 years ago for a few years. Marine tank in 2000, FOWLR, and then in 2002 I went to a reef tank. Had it ever since. Love it!!!! So do my kids....

Rjramos · Sep 13, 2014

Since the under gravel filter with coral gravel and a power head on the riser. 25 years on the salt.

lionfish5740 · Sep 14, 2014

14 years strong for me. Started FO and loved my predator tanks in the beginning then wanted to try something different. I'm slowly evolving still and there is no one favorite style. I've had everything from an awesome half gallon pico to a 300 gallon back breaker. Since going back to school I've been enjoying more of the chemistry side of it. Pretty sure I'll die while still running at least one reef tank LOL

RedReefer · Sep 14, 2014

I've been salty for the past 5 years. Before that I had freshwater systems for 15 years. I'll probably always stay salty from here on out.

buzzword · Sep 14, 2014

Since 1999.

Fin · Sep 14, 2014

A time line with pics. Started saltwater in 1983, before they knew about live rock and lighting requirements for reefs. Bleached coral skeletons for decor and wet dry filters were the norm. This is a picture of my 200 right after set up (circa 1986). Funny to look at now, but this was "cool" back in the day. :behindsofa:

Got bored with it 9-10 years later and sold the 200. Then after about 5 years, I made a trip to the LFS in 1999. Technology had definitely changed. Set up my first reef tank later that year. Cruised along until 2005 when our area was hit by Hurricane Rita. Mandatory evacuation of the city and it was 10 days before we could return to town. A generator would not have helped me much in that situation. Local power grid was destroyed and more than two weeks without electricity. Lost a 6 year old 75 gallon and a smaller tank that I had just started. This was that tank just before it was lost.

Took about a year off to recover from the loss and got back on the horse by 2007. Upgraded to a 140, which is my current tank. This is a pic from a better day. Rebooting this tank now.

Paul B · Sep 14, 2014

(circa 1986). Funny to look at now, but this was "cool" back in the day.

I can relate, circa 1972

Reef Junky150 · Sep 14, 2014

Started with a jbj nanocube in 03ish, upgraded to 75gal in 04, then to a 150 in 05. Had it for years upgrading equipment from time to time. Moved and started all over with my same old equipment and rock sand. Been up for over a year and will continue until it's the beauty it once was years ago. Thinking back it's really neet how things have changed. Except the prices! [emoji225]