How Long Have You Been Reefing?

[Alexraptor]

Almost 19-years, non-stop. Started my first reef January 2005, a little over a year after Finding Nemo was released.

I of course wanted to jump right into it after seeing the movie. But my mother, god rest her soul, wanted to make sure it was not just a phase, and promised to allow me to have one, and would even pay for everything, if I had the patience to wait one full year. Provided I also dedicated time to researching how to run one.

She also bought me Bob Fenner's book, The Conscientious Marine Aquarist, which I then spent all of 2004 pouring over, cover to cover. Still have that book too, though it does look a little worse for wear these days.

 

[Idech]

Reefing for 2 1/2 years, but 40 years in freshwater.

 

[SaltyCabbage]

Just started my first salt tank this February! Been keeping FW for over a decade and I’m loving the switch to salt. I plan on keeping both fresh and salt for many years. Been a short but very fulfilling 8 months!

 

[GlassMunky]

Roughly 15 years or so

 

[2Sunny]

22 years and counting. Good to see some of the Old Timer's are still active!

Next question though I'd love to hear answered is for those with more than 20 years what lighting do you have on your tank.

Me - ATI Powermodules so T5 + LED

 

[Dburr1014]

22 years and counting. Good to see some of the Old Timer's are still active!

Next question though I'd love to hear answered is for those with more than 20 years what lighting do you have on your tank.

Me - ATI Powermodules so T5 + LED

Led.

 

[Rocky Mountain Reef]

Started when 12 years old, then as an adult, had reef tank for 12 year, stopped for 9 year due to moving out the mountains of Wyoming, but could not stay away...now have my new tank for past 14 months...love it!!!

 

[apb03]

1 year. My system has been up and running for 10 months now.

 

[secret_reefer337]

I am on and off since 1993 but my solid straight years is since 2014 until now. Have been keeping tank (fresh water) since the early 80’s, I also used to have planted tanks but have to give up the freshwater.

 

[soreefed]

Feels like much longer than it has been. About 19 months since I setup my first tank. I intend to keep a reef for the foreseeable future

 

[Haggisman14]

I"ve been in and out of the hobby since 2002...can't believe it's been over 21 years!

Started with a 20 gallon tall that I got used from my uncle, then to a 50 gallon breeder, then a 29 gallon Biocube, and now my 5 gallon Deskmate. I know i'll NEVER be finished with this hobby, it'll just change with what I have going on in my life!

Tank Progression

First Tank: 2002 - 20 Gallon Tall

Second Tank - 2003 - 50 Gallon

Third Tank - 2019 - 29 Gallon BioCube

Fourth Tank: 2023 - 5 Gallon Deskmate

 

[JC Reef]

14 years and counting! I no longer consider this a hobby. For me, it's a lifestyle and an obsession

 

[PeterErc]

20 years, thought about pulling the plug, no pun intended

 

[Uncle99]

43 years.
I’ll stop when Iam gone.

 

[fishface NJ]

actively since 1995

 

[dennis romano]

My first saltwater tank was around 1972. That ran for a few years until I went off to college. Started back with salts in 1979 with just fish. My first "reef" was a ten gallon with a big piece of live rock with zoas, tube worms and bivalves around 1980. That tank ran for a few years. My oldest current reef was set up in 1994.

 

[Coral Daddy]

Howdy
I started only 3 months ago and I’m already hooked. Pretty sure I will make it past the 5 year mark!

 

[mtfish]

First salt tank was taking care of a 75 gallon for a marine biology class in high school (1976). That went to a plywood build that was just over 200 gallons. Had to move that one out to the garage due to a slight water spill on my parents wood floor. First reef tank was around 15 years ago; again 75 gallon tank. That tank is now one of three sumps for my current reef tank (420 gallon). I will have a tank running as long as I can run.

 

[Zach B]

19 years this October or November

 

[OU812Reefing]

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?

Definitely in it for the long haul no doubt not going to quit