I'm in a lull. Should I close shop?

[DracoKat]

For years I would be excited about my tank(s). I'd go to LFS weekly and spend my money. I'd have my hand in the tank a few times a week. I'd sit in front of the tanks watching the fish for hours (or so it seems). I used to research the next equipment to buy, go to frag swaps and actively work on my coral collection. I used to happily frag my zoas and actively trade with local reefers. I don't even test my waters anymore.

Now, nothing excites me anymore. The tank is just.. there. I don't do much with it anymore except for feeding and looking at the fish to make sure they are all there. I don't bother to pick up fallen corals anymore. Today was the first time in months I've changed the water in my 20 g because it was starting to look neglected and bad. my 75g is pretty much self-sustaining now. I no longer want to spend money on on corals or on the tanks, then again, the LFS don't seem to have much of a variety anymore either which got old and boring.

My tank isn't as beautiful as it used to be due to my lack of interest. I've had thoughts of shutting down my 75g and keeping the 20g. The only thing that's preventing me from doing that is the thought of losing out on all the money I spent (and I know I'd have to practically give away stuff or sell for really cheap in order to get it out of my house). I'm also afraid I'd regret it and want the tank back and I'd be spending twice as much to start all over again.

Do you guys ever feel this way? Did you ever get that spark back? What do you do to get that spark back?

 

[elorablue]

Do an interior renovation. Change the aquascape, sell or trade out your current corals , start with new frags and do those things to your tank that you’ve always wanted to do…. In other words make it perfect and ya never know, your interest may be rekindled

 

[flashsmith]

Honestly it's probably time to move on. Probably not what you wanted to hear I'm guessing. It's a hobby and if you don't enjoy spending money on it there's your answer. I've had alot of hobbies in my lifetime. From restoring classic cars to various sports etc... The only one I've ever gotten anything back is from cars. Reefing isn't too bad though. Buy a boat and reefing looks cheap.

 

[ZoWhat]

Try this new aquascape...

 

[Tumey]

For years I would be excited about my tank(s). I'd go to LFS weekly and spend my money. I'd have my hand in the tank a few times a week. I'd sit in front of the tanks watching the fish for hours (or so it seems). I used to research the next equipment to buy, go to frag swaps and actively work on my coral collection. I used to happily frag my zoas and actively trade with local reefers. I don't even test my waters anymore.

Now, nothing excites me anymore. The tank is just.. there. I don't do much with it anymore except for feeding and looking at the fish to make sure they are all there. I don't bother to pick up fallen corals anymore. Today was the first time in months I've changed the water in my 20 g because it was starting to look neglected and bad. my 75g is pretty much self-sustaining now. I no longer want to spend money on on corals or on the tanks, then again, the LFS don't seem to have much of a variety anymore either which got old and boring.

My tank isn't as beautiful as it used to be due to my lack of interest. I've had thoughts of shutting down my 75g and keeping the 20g. The only thing that's preventing me from doing that is the thought of losing out on all the money I spent (and I know I'd have to practically give away stuff or sell for really cheap in order to get it out of my house). I'm also afraid I'd regret it and want the tank back and I'd be spending twice as much to start all over again.

Do you guys ever feel this way? Did you ever get that spark back? What do you do to get that spark back?

Just thinking out loud here….

I’m guessing there’s something bigger in your life that’s led to loss of interest. My tank’s on auto pilot now because of life’s frustrations and I’ve definitely piloted the boat you’re on right now many times before. I do always come back around to the excitement we all felt when we first started reef keeping because I truly love it.

 

[PeterC99]

Asking honestly, how’s everything else in your life going right now?

 

[elorablue]

Honestly it's probably time to move on. Probably not what you wanted to hear I'm guessing. It's a hobby and if you don't enjoy spending money on it there's your answer. I've had alot of hobbies in my lifetime. From restoring classic cars to various sports etc... The only one I've ever gotten anything back is from cars. Reefing isn't too bad though. Buy a boat and reefing looks cheap.

Up to you dude. Your life.

 

[Goaway]

I'm not sure how to put this into words. I never got bored of my aquariums. I had discus spawn in an 80g system. It was fantastic!
For my reef,
I buy ugly coral to see if they ever change and gain color. If not, I still enjoy them.
I love fine detail. Watching corals or anemones change and grow. Sharing my experience, even if it's just one other person who sees it.
Maybe it's your goal, I don't know if you have any.

 

[DracoKat]

It's not that I DON"T want to spend money or being cheap, it's just I have no interest to spend money on the tank- if that makes sense?

I've always wanted to convert the tank to seahorse tank, then i see the price tag on the horses and I am like.. yea not now. One day I'd love to do a seahorse tank. I am pretty attached to my present fish to rehome them

My life right now is pretty dull. Work every day, come home, do some writing (Which has my interest now). I don't get out much anymore since all my friends moved on, so I'd think it's a good time to indulge in the hobby- still, meh, lol.

I did reset up a pico tank which I've been wanting to do, was hoping that would motivate me more. I love the pico tank

Maybe some of you are right, I am bored with the current setup, like a person gets bored with the same wall color. I'll see what I can do to change it up.

 

[PeterC99]

@DracoKat - If there is anything we can do help, please don’t hesitate to reach out. If you need someone just to listen, Message me and we will speak.

 

[moz71]

If it becomes “WORK” time to move on but I would say break it down and clean equipment and store it. Sell live stock. I shut down for a few years but was so much happy that I stored all my equipment that it was so easy to get it going again. It did come back

 

[DracoKat]

@DracoKat - If there is anything we can do help, please don’t hesitate to reach out. If you need someone just to listen, Message me and we will speak.

Thank you Peter, I really appreciate the concerns I guess my life is in a rut overall and hit my 40th birthday a few days ago without anyone to celebrate with made me down, but I really don't know if it would contribute to my loss of interest in my tanks?

Though, again thank you for reaching out! <3

The tanks aren't work, I did get up and do a water change and I didn't feel like it was work. I was just lazy to do it for so long. oops.

 

[Goaway]

Asking honestly, how’s everything else in your life going right now?

 

[Goaway]

Omg, anyhow,@PeterC99
You just became a very interesting person.

Reef 2 reef has a lot of people who are here that can spark a lot of interest!

 

[DracoKat]

I kinda wish I had people outside the internet to associate with when it comes to the hobby- in a way of a motivator to speak. I've tried joining reef clubs and no one seemed interested in having a female reefing buddy- there's all guys that congregate and hardly and females. I went to almost every event the club held too and I always leave feeling like a third wheel even after trying to talk to them.

Even now just chatting with you guys just for a few minutes helped, Different thoughts and ideas, it gets me thinking. But forums aren't exactly the same, yannow?

 

[Smite]

If it becomes “WORK” time to move on but I would say break it down and clean equipment and store it. Sell live stock. I shut down for a few years but was so much happy that I stored all my equipment that it was so easy to get it going again. It did come back

This was my thought as well. +1


I've gone through this several times over the years of keeping tanks. Best thing to do, specially if you won't be able to get money from you equipment , is to hold onto it. At least until you're certain you'd like to take a long break.

It's odd but I tend to lose interest when the tanks doing really well and on auto pilot. That or I get the urge to start a new system.....

 

[Goaway]

No one I know reefs. The closest real reefer to me is 2 to 3 hours drive Away. I know that feeling

 

[DracoKat]

This was my thought as well. +1


I've gone through this several times over the years of keeping tanks. Best thing to do, specially if you won't be able to get money from you equipment , is to hold onto it. At least until you're certain you'd like to take a long break.

It's odd but I tend to lose interest when the tanks doing really well and on auto pilot. That or I get the urge to start a new system.....

my 75g is def on autopilot. I haven't done a WC in a few years. Wondering if its being hands-off for so long makes it boring.

I did scratch that itch with a pico tank, that will keep me busy at least to keep it thriving

 

[PeterC99]

Thank you Peter, I really appreciate the concerns I guess my life is in a rut overall and hit my 40th birthday a few days ago without anyone to celebrate with made me down, but I really don't know if it would contribute to my loss of interest in my tanks?

Though, again thank you for reaching out! <3

The tanks aren't work, I did get up and do a water change and I didn't feel like it was work. I was just lazy to do it for so long. oops.

40 is a BIG milestone and it can be really difficult to celebrate with family & friends in these crazy times! Your reactions are very understandable.

BTW - Wish you the happiest of birthdays and all the joys and successes in all your years to come!!!

 

[PeterC99]

Omg, anyhow,@PeterC99
You just became a very interesting person.

Reef 2 reef has a lot of people who are here that can spark a lot of interest!

I hope that’s interesting in a good way?