How Long Have You Been Reefing?

Reefer Matt · Oct 2, 2023

Based on my understanding, most Reefers leave reef keeping between 1 and 5 years. How long have you been reefing, and how much longer do you plan to continue?

xWascallyWabbit · Oct 2, 2023

2 years so far. I'm in it for the long haul now. My wife supports it as my hobby. Having something that is enjoyed by the whole family including the child on the way is too hard to walk away from.

HudsonReefer2.0 · Oct 2, 2023

20yrs and counting.

LeonardTheWrasse · Oct 2, 2023

Around 9 months, which isn't impressive at all, but it's been over 2 years of research before I even got my tank. I've also been offered a job at my LFS, and will start soon, so I hope I'll keep reefing for a long time.

Gtinnel · Oct 2, 2023

I was in the hobby for around 10 years then quite for about 10 years. I got back into the hobby about 5 years ago, so 15 years total.

I have no plans of quitting anytime soon. I only quit last time because I had twin babies, two jobs and no time to take care of a tank.

cilyjr · Oct 2, 2023

25 years.
My 1st tank was in Oct of 1998 it had a skilter filter and a penguin biowheel.

No plans to quit.

Reeflix · Oct 2, 2023

i have been reefing for 1 year 2 months now, most likely going to take a 3 year break in about 4 years, then continue for the rest of my life hopefully!

Rothric · Oct 2, 2023

Only been reefing for 7 months so far, but kept FW for probably 10 years in my past. Absolutely loving the salty side though

vetteguy53081 · Oct 2, 2023

Reefer Matt said:
Based on my understanding, most Reefers leave reef keeping between 1 and 5 years. How long have you been reefing, and how much longer do you plan to continue?

In my 41st year

Cichlid Dad · Oct 2, 2023

cilyjr said:
25 years.
My 1st tank was in Oct of 1998 it had a skilter filter and a penguin biowheel.

No plans to quit.

I checked out your tank thread, very impressive.

Rob.In.AZ · Oct 2, 2023

Started my first tank in Feb 2004. Have had a tank since minus 11 months when we moved at one point and then like a 6 month stretch with no tank but LR in brutes while our house was been built.
Well see if the kids get older and I have less time what happens, but idk if I stop anytime soon.

Mike Dub · Oct 2, 2023

I've had freshwater tanks for about 30 years and have been reefing for about 7 years with no intentions of quitting.

cilyjr · Oct 2, 2023

Cichlid Dad said:
I checked out your tank thread, very impressive.

Thanks. My my very first tank however was a 55 gallon. The tank threads don't start until I bought my first house.

Birdman Broham · Oct 2, 2023

was at it for 8 years. Room a 2 year break. Now been back for 2 years. 10 years total

Dbichler · Oct 3, 2023

Since 2006 no plans to stop but if prices get anymore ridiculous may stop buying anything until it calms down.

Gumbies R Us · Oct 3, 2023

On my own? Little over a year. If you count the tank my parents had then a lot longer than that haha

Reefer Matt · Oct 3, 2023

I had a brief experience in Reefing from 2005-06. I then got back into it in 2018. So about 6 years total for me. I will continue with the amount of tanks I have now for the next 20 years until I retire. Then I will go to one tank so I can travel more. At least that is the plan so far.

EricR · Oct 3, 2023

First corals purchased 1/2022 so <2 years of "reefing."

Started saltwater journey about 4 years ago (jellyfish first).
*mathematically, some minuscule fraction of a percent of that original water should still be in my tank today

I don't foresee myself quitting the hobby ever but some catastrophic event that wipes out the tank could make me re-think that.