How Long Have You Been Reefing?

[SPS2020]

I've had a saltwater tank since the mid-80's. Can't see life without one.

Wait...I said 'see life'! LOL

 

[Timfish]

I bought my first 'shrooms in 1987. Started doing maintenance in '95 and my oldest system was started in '92 and I've been taking acre of it since '95.

 

[Troylee]

Off and on for 20 years..

 

[hoffmeyerz]

Just over three years now. Started by picking up a used 29 gal tank when everything was shutdown for the pandemic and I needed something to do...lol
My wife then said "maybe do saltwater, it can't be that hard you can do it"....challenge accepted!!
That tank was a mess for almost a year while I learned what the heck I was doing then upgraded to a 75 gal two years ago and all-in-all that one's been running well.
I plan to keep it long-term...think I have to since my family says it's my mid-life crisis

 

[Low Tech Reefer]

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?

40 years and counting. Still have all of the original Tonga, Marshall Island and Australian live rock. I plan on keeping reef tanks well into the future. But then again I'm not very smart, so there's that!

 

[DIYreefer]

I've kept sw aquariums since the mid 90's and reef tanks since '05. I've had some sort of reef tank every day since 2005. Kinda crazy when I put it like that, lol.

 

[Kristopher Conlin]

I started in 2011 and don't plan on ever stopping. It's definitely the most rewarding and engaging hobby I have ever had.

 

[lubeck]

Fresh water since 91 and sw since 01 on and off.

 

[Om84]

Saltwater since 2010. Briefly had to quit for 2 years so about 11 years so far.

 

[ReefPig]

Over 20 years, but with breaks between tanks where I’ve been moving house and the likes. Longest break was 2 years. Probably 14-15 years of actually having a tank.

Currently building tank number five in my new house. My largest by a significant margin, with a display volume of 530 US Gallons, around 800 system total.

This time doing a hole through the wall tank, with a dedicated tank room. Not getting any younger, accessibility and ease of maintenance is my number one priority. I’ve crawled around under enough tanks to know I can’t be arsed doing that anymore.

 

[Doctorgori]

Actual "reef tanks" is a evolution thing, erh long term...sorta:
Marine tanks w/clowns: 77'
Jaubert-ish tanks 86' (macro algae, et) 86'
Tanks with live rock, corals & lit with Actinics & MH 94-ish
...so maybe 30 yrs almost-ish ..still no expert tho

 

[FrugalReefer]

2016 was when I started my first reef tank. I plan to stay in the hobby as long as I enjoy it and can afford it LOL. There’s something satisfying about a small frag blossoming into a large colony knowing that you played a major part in making it happen.

 

[tweeter]

11 years for me. Have a 120, 55, and starting up a 125.

 

[Someguyfromsc]

Since 2010 just got back in after a 5 year break but the break was not because I wanted a break from reef keeping , just kind of forced it .

 

[CasperOe]

Coming up to about four years now with no plans to stop! Actually; we're planning yet another tank so who knows! Missus got me hooked; she's been keeping fish since childhood..

 

[Dburr1014]

I think my first salt tank was 94? Could have been 93.

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

I think this thread also goes to show that badges don't always equal experience. There are a lot of knowledgeable Reefers here!

 

[o2manyfish]

First tank with soft corals and live rock was 1987. Didn't get into Stony Corals until about 1999. And from that point on things got really outta control.

Hope to be doing this hobby till the point my wife gives away all my crap when I'm gone.

Dave B

 

[Joe's Coral Reef]

A few years in early 90's I had fresh and Saltwater no corals. Around 2003 I moved back to the us and a friend showed me his bio cube. I've have had reef tanks ever since. I still have some coral and a fish that I've had since around 2006.

 

[kevgib67]

My first reef tank was started in the mid 90s and was running for 16 years. My current tank is reaching the 2 year mark this month.