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

[Rmckoy]

Over the years life gets in the way but ..
even if we neglect our tanks short term
I always get back into it
I got into reefing because I enjoy it .

a new fish or coral can re spark the reason you started .
Happy belated bday .

 

[muzikalmatt]

I actually just went through this issue. I lost interest over the summer and barely even looked at my tank. Didn't keep up with maintenance, and things started to go south. I decided I didn't didn't you go out like that and made it a mission to get the tank back in good shape. Once I got back into the maintenance rhythm again and saw things getting better, it resparked my passion for the tank again.

I think taking on new and interesting tasks might help. Maybe change the rock scape a bit. Do some pruning/fragging. Reorganize/optimize your equipment. Or you can just let it be for a while. That's the nice thing about having a tank that's almost on autopilot. It will still be there if and when you find your passion for it again.

Congrats on finding your spark again!

 

[DrZoidburg]

Agree with most above. Just have to keep moving forward and stay positive which ever way you go. I'm kind of a hermit too I can relate sometimes. Planted tanks can be hard but beautiful. Check out amano, or green machine on Yt*. They do some amazing stuff. Trying new things even unrelated to aquariums. For me getting a new critter with character is always fun.

 

[Rmckoy]

This can be a rough hobby .
good times and bad. .
Along with frustrating times we want to throw in the towel .
we have all had many over the years .

sometimes having someone to talk to helps .

 

[DrZoidburg]

Going to go ahead and auto like everything in here so far!

 

[Bjmycroft]

I broke down my 7 foot tank and sold\gave away all the equipment. At the time I'd just become a father and didn't have the time and money to do what I wanted and just lost interest in the way you describe. Fast forwards 10 years and I really wish I'd at least kept the equipment as I'd love a big tank again but the startup cost is prohibitive now I've a family and it's hard to justify!

 

[Duncan62]

I think I found my spark again.

I decided to move all my corals and fish out of my Nuvo Fusion 20 and into the 75g. I felt like the 20g has become a chore and it's really ugly; so I'm going to try to sell it. if it doesn't sell, I'm considering trying a fresh water planted tank for something different.

Adding the extra corals and fish into the 75g gave it more life. Now I want to look for a variety of toadstools to add. My clown goby, that I was concerned the 75g tank is too big, seems to be entirely amazed and probably thinks he's been released into the ocean, lol.

I am battling turf algae, so in my task of researching and finding ways to lower the phosphate, the act of buying turbo snails ignited my desire to shop around for more critters, which led me to a tuxedo urchin which I'll probably regret. I've become a bit more hands on with the tank, even gave it a 40% water change last week since it's been years (you can see my other thread of how disgusting the sump was lol). I took the time yesterday peeling off kenya trees and killing aptasia.

I've also been spending more time on the forums reading and even getting more involved which I think helped tremendously.

Again, I thank everyone that has posted and reached out to me via PMs, I really appreciate it and I feel the love here!

The tuxedo urchin will amazed you. Fasten things down so he won't turn them over. Good luck.

 

[Billys_reef]

Start a new tank build. That'll peak your interest back up with all the planning

 

[Duncan62]

Start a new tank build. That'll peak your interest back up with all the planning

My daughter sent me a link to a utube video that was dedicated to planted tanks and terrariums. I'll try to find it. I tried one with discus years ago. It's just as challenging as a reef tank. Get a school of those tiny freshwater shrimp. All aquariums are fun.

 

[DracoKat]

The tuxedo urchin will amazed you. Fasten things down so he won't turn them over. Good luck.

I actually couldn't find it. Until I realize it packed shells and such all over it, quite the camo! lol

 

[fishface NJ]

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.

I totally can relate to this! To bad we didn't live closer

 

[fishface NJ]

Oh! @DracoKat Happy belated Birthday!!

 

[DracoKat]

At least NJ is a state over? lol. Thank you! @fishface NJ

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I think I found my spark again.

I decided to move all my corals and fish out of my Nuvo Fusion 20 and into the 75g. I felt like the 20g has become a chore and it's really ugly; so I'm going to try to sell it. if it doesn't sell, I'm considering trying a fresh water planted tank for something different.

Adding the extra corals and fish into the 75g gave it more life. Now I want to look for a variety of toadstools to add. My clown goby, that I was concerned the 75g tank is too big, seems to be entirely amazed and probably thinks he's been released into the ocean, lol.

I am battling turf algae, so in my task of researching and finding ways to lower the phosphate, the act of buying turbo snails ignited my desire to shop around for more critters, which led me to a tuxedo urchin which I'll probably regret. I've become a bit more hands on with the tank, even gave it a 40% water change last week since it's been years (you can see my other thread of how disgusting the sump was lol). I took the time yesterday peeling off kenya trees and killing aptasia.

I've also been spending more time on the forums reading and even getting more involved which I think helped tremendously.

Again, I thank everyone that has posted and reached out to me via PMs, I really appreciate it and I feel the love here!

I'm so happy to read this post!! I'm rooting for you @DracoKat! You're a great part of our community here at Reef2Reef! Thanks for being a member of our reefing family!

 

[hans4811]

Just another suggestion…maybe having just softies and gorgs has become boring. Maybe try getting into more SPS ? A new challenge is needed ? Doing the research always gets my juices flowing again. Rehome all your current corals, rescape and start fresh with some sticks….food for thought.

worked for me btw

 

[DracoKat]

Just another suggestion…maybe having just softies and gorgs has become boring. Maybe try getting into more SPS ? A new challenge is needed ? Doing the research always gets my juices flowing again. Rehome all your current corals, rescape and start fresh with some sticks….food for thought.

worked for me btw

I've had SPS and they grew beautifully, until they all died. With my Phosphates being high and I can't seem to get it down (check another thread about it), I'm hesitant to try SPS again.

 

[hans4811]

I've had SPS and they grew beautifully, until they all died. With my Phosphates being high and I can't seem to get it down (check another thread about it), I'm hesitant to try SPS again.

Bummer ! Yea, nutrients are always tricky with SPS. Have you ever tried a refugium ? That was a tipping point for me with SPS..

 

[DracoKat]

Bummer ! Yea, nutrients are always tricky with SPS. Have you ever tried a refugium ? That was a tipping point for me with SPS..

I have a fuge, with chaetos growing like crazy lol.

Maybe one day I'll try SPS again. Maybe I'll try the cheapest one I can find to see how it does before splurging money on the. They aren't cheap!

 

[Hermie]

Half of my reefing philosphy is that my tank is "Just there"

The other half is that I do enough work to make "just there" possible

There's nothign wrong with a tank being "just there," it's not like we are fish and can swim in it; it's there to be observed.