I started keeping a serious FW tank 5-6 years ago. I switched to SW after roughly 2 years. I guess that makes it a total of 4 years reefing. I am loving it and all my gadgets to go with it.
Life Cycle of the Average Reefer
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GR808
Well-Known Member
My reef tank has been going for 1.5 years and enjoy every minute of it. Although I am very young at the hobby, I have great satisfaction in seeing my corals grow and trying to figure out why some don't grow as well. I can say that I have come a long way because of forums like R2R(my favorite) and I am still learning and probably will be learning for some time. Seeing a lot of the member tanks in here has inspired me to strive for better and pursue goals I could never have imagined doing in this hobby. With R2R, I'm sure I'll be in this hobby for quite a long time..
thanks everyone for all you do for this hobby!!!!
thanks everyone for all you do for this hobby!!!!
when get up in the middle of the night to get something to drink and 2 hours later your wife comes and finds you. you know your addicted.
e-zlight
New Member
I've been at it this time around for about 6 months. Bought an established aquarium, which was kinda a mistake, water parms were way out to lunch, and I'm still fighting a couple. I made a few mistakes along the way, lost all my fish, but restarted the tank. And now have my first frags, total of 14 frags, with with 10 of them being pairs.
BUT, Growing up my father and I had a 125 gal fowlr that it was his and my project, and I enjoyed weekend trips to the LFS to hang out. That is part of the reason why I got back into it. My 4 y/o daughter, and her favorite thing is going to 3 LFS's every weekend. 3 because that is what she asks for. Luckily there are probably 20-30 within an hour radius, if not more. LOL
BUT, Growing up my father and I had a 125 gal fowlr that it was his and my project, and I enjoyed weekend trips to the LFS to hang out. That is part of the reason why I got back into it. My 4 y/o daughter, and her favorite thing is going to 3 LFS's every weekend. 3 because that is what she asks for. Luckily there are probably 20-30 within an hour radius, if not more. LOL
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I would guess the average is less than that now... Most people in this hobby never make it a year or 6 months. The average person walks into a pet shop sees something they think is cool and buys it with out knowing anything about the hobby and gets some bad advice from the lfs. That’s how allot of people get into the hobby.
But now it seems another bad thing is all these designer corals. People get addicted to collecting them, spend allot of money and then something happens and they loose so much money and are out of the hobby. It could be their fault or something completely out of their control like a power outage. I see this allot lately.
Fact is now because of equipment this hobby is actually easier than it used to be. But because it is easier people forget about the biology side of the hobby and when something goes wrong they don’t know how to adjust and get frustrated.
One thing I have seen the most of is reef burn out. I see and have warned too many people about this. They get way to deep into the hobby way to fast. I can’t believe how many people within a year have a large or multiple tanks or think they are going to start a business in this hobby like selling corals. Take it slow and enjoy and learn it’s the only way to be in this hobby for the long haul.
I have been in this hobby since mid to upper 1980's and the turn over rate is crazy. It never used to be like this though.
Dave Polzin
But now it seems another bad thing is all these designer corals. People get addicted to collecting them, spend allot of money and then something happens and they loose so much money and are out of the hobby. It could be their fault or something completely out of their control like a power outage. I see this allot lately.
Fact is now because of equipment this hobby is actually easier than it used to be. But because it is easier people forget about the biology side of the hobby and when something goes wrong they don’t know how to adjust and get frustrated.
One thing I have seen the most of is reef burn out. I see and have warned too many people about this. They get way to deep into the hobby way to fast. I can’t believe how many people within a year have a large or multiple tanks or think they are going to start a business in this hobby like selling corals. Take it slow and enjoy and learn it’s the only way to be in this hobby for the long haul.
I have been in this hobby since mid to upper 1980's and the turn over rate is crazy. It never used to be like this though.
Dave Polzin
swannyson7
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I've been keeping aquariums for about 20 years, 13 years of saltwater and about 7-8 years of reef tanks. At this point, I can say with confidence that I'll have a tank in some way, shape, or form for the rest of my life.
KrautBurner
Active Member
I've been doing this for almost 5 years
I'll be swapping to my 3rd tank in the next couple months.
I can say, after about 2-3 years, Reefing did kinda loose some of its luster.
but I've just adjusted my tank keeping
I really don't put all that much into my tank
I havn't added a fish or coral in a year.
but I still sit and stare into the tank almost every night.
I've got several friends that went about 2-3 years before giving up
I'd say it's fairly common for Reefers to get out in that time frame (honeymoon is over)
it's about when people realize that they wanna go bigger, replace a bunch of equipment, etc... it starts getting expensive when you realize what it takes to do it right.
I'll be swapping to my 3rd tank in the next couple months.
I can say, after about 2-3 years, Reefing did kinda loose some of its luster.
but I've just adjusted my tank keeping
I really don't put all that much into my tank
I havn't added a fish or coral in a year.
but I still sit and stare into the tank almost every night.
I've got several friends that went about 2-3 years before giving up
I'd say it's fairly common for Reefers to get out in that time frame (honeymoon is over)
it's about when people realize that they wanna go bigger, replace a bunch of equipment, etc... it starts getting expensive when you realize what it takes to do it right.
KrautBurner
Active Member
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-discussion/65944-how-long-you-been-keeping-saltwater.html
interesting poll here about how long people have beenn reefing
interesting poll here about how long people have beenn reefing
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Burn out. I know that all too well. The thing about the hobby is if it is in your blood you never get out of it. I was talking to another vendor this week about the same thing. He asked how long I have been keeping aquariums. I actually think the first aquarium I had was a 20 gallon freshwater when I was 10 and I am 42 in a couple of months. Always been fascinated with aquariums and keeping animals. Turtles, snakes, frogs, fish. You name it over the years I have kept it. Thing is I love it all and you need to pick your poison. Keep it fun.
I've burnt myself out so many times it isn't even funny. Just remember slow and steady wins the race and nothing happens fast in a reef tank. Everyone can reach tank of the month status. BUt there is more than one way to get there. Go slow and let it grow or chaching charge it. I think the people that go slow have a longer lifespan in this hobby.
ReefMP
Active Member
I was in the SW hobby for about 8 yrs, took down my tank when I moved out of state and got busy with life. Took a break for a few years but I would look at tanks on-line from time to time which kept my interest. I've been back in it now for almost 4 yrs and have to admit, it does get boring at times but I think if you let your frags grow out to large colonies it would help. Also, after a few years lots of reefers start planning an upgrade or swap out some of the easier corals they started with, try out some new lighting, etc. I wish I could start my new build now but I'm waiting till next year when we hopefully buy the next home we will live in for a long time....that way I can go crazy with the build and not have to worry about tearing it down after a few years.
LOL
I have the EXACT same feeling as you do, I don't really feel that hype I use to...I am not sure why though.
I think the average of a REEF keeper would be about the same as you suggested 3-5 years, simply because ALOT of people get sick of hype and reef tanks are soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo expensive to keep up.
A non-reef tank keeper, I would say a little bit longer.
Of course all of these have variables..you could have an all softy reef or a expert-only fish only tank, in my above statements i'm referring to a general reef tank(various coral species) and a general SO tank(some hardy and some not as hardy inhabitants).
when I started my first tank, it was from bad info from the lfs. it was a 1 gallon wirh a scalp and a real pretty metallic gobie. the tank lasted a week so I started researching how to keep saltwater aquariums from there I had a 29 gal drilled, made my sump from a 20 gallon tank and started learning from books. while I was get the hang of it I was dreaming bigger. christmas came around and I got enough money to buy a 75 gallon tank. then the that summer I built the stand. it was a year later before I finally built the sump from a old 30 gallon long aquarium, the came the canopy. I pieced my tank together a little at a time not just because of money but because I was watching and learning from my 29 gallon tank. I would watch the live rock for hours to see what would move and enjoyed it. I had that 29 gallon for 3 1/2 years and only did to water changes on it. I never lost a fish or coral until it sprang a leak right out the side. I had no choice but to fire up the 75 gallon. then I lost my oldest fish a pink spotted watchman goby. summer came around and so did the heat. lost my montipora. now I am just sitting back letting it mature awhile. I have been at it for 4 years and want be going anywhere. my 29 was balanced so chemistry did not change but it could have done better with water changes. my 75 is have a lot of algea, algea grazers, and a few hardy corals. everyone is happy in my tank. right now it gets a 10 gallon water change every few months but the only two problems at the moment is low ph and a .20 phosphate reading. it will start keeping sps sooner or later but I will do at least a 10 gallon water change every to weeks. the point is slow is the best way for me to learn and for a tank to mature I think. oh yeah a cheap but good way to cool your tank and still run hqi bulbs is to go to walmart and buy a blower fan. it took my tank from 90 to 78 in a few hours. just have it blow across the water and watch it evaporate.
I can't get much slower but I enjoy every minute of it. just talking about it, I think I will do a water change today. lol
OP
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akabryanhall
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Lol Finally got around to scraping the coralline off of the front of my tank (I've been burnt out too lol) and I was like ohhh, this is why I got into the hobby.
Interesting to see all of the responses so far. I think that even though I see you reef geeks that have been in for 5+ years, or even 3+ years, we are the exception rather than the rule. I think also that there is something to be said for spending so much too soon. If properly planned out, this hobby does not have to be so expensive, fragging and trading or selling frags can help immensley with the cost, most people don't bother. When I wanted to make some money, I ended up selling the whole piece rather than fragging it. BIGGEST mistake I have made in this hobby, and I did it multiple times...Can't tell you how much sick stuff I have let go in this manner, and the money is gone, nothing to show for it
Interesting to see all of the responses so far. I think that even though I see you reef geeks that have been in for 5+ years, or even 3+ years, we are the exception rather than the rule. I think also that there is something to be said for spending so much too soon. If properly planned out, this hobby does not have to be so expensive, fragging and trading or selling frags can help immensley with the cost, most people don't bother. When I wanted to make some money, I ended up selling the whole piece rather than fragging it. BIGGEST mistake I have made in this hobby, and I did it multiple times...Can't tell you how much sick stuff I have let go in this manner, and the money is gone, nothing to show for it
I just gave away two big green star polyp frags for free. but I ask that some of the frags be given away for free. pay it forward reef style. if I had other frags I would give them away to. it will help people that have had their tank crash and thinking about leaving the hobby and help bring in new reefers. I would have loved it if I could find free frags instead of paying $10 or $20 for a little frag from the lfs. even if my actions go no were I am out nothing, because I got my moneys worth watching it grow. that's what it is all about isn't it. not away to make money.
cymaster007
Ex-Socal Resident
I think being a part of a club really helps because it keeps people from getting discouraged easily and also you have local friends to go shopping with....maybe clubs help prolong the average reefer-life span?
Also maybe the life span is cut short by the persons resourcefulness (like researching problems with the tank, DIY money saving tips, & lessons learned with equipment) if you are resourceful the hobby does not have to be that complicated or expensive....
Also maybe the life span is cut short by the persons resourcefulness (like researching problems with the tank, DIY money saving tips, & lessons learned with equipment) if you are resourceful the hobby does not have to be that complicated or expensive....
reeferdale
Community Member
I have been at it (reefs) for about 20 years now. I have moved tanks 4 times now. Been running my 180 for about 8 years and I am in just beginning a new 270 gallon all LED build. I have to admit that this one is taking much longer than any in the past. At times I have wondered if I should just keep the 180 and be done with it. I have not lost interest, but building a new tank from the ground up takes a lot of time, planning and work. Probably because I have learned so much over the past 18 years that I overthink all of the possibilities involved, that or I have gained a lot more patience in the past 2 decades.
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-discussion/71569-dream-build-starts-now-270-gal.html
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/reef-discussion/71569-dream-build-starts-now-270-gal.html
KrautBurner
Active Member
+1
I know the feeling,
I have been neglecting my tank,
but the prospect of upgrading from my 75 to a 90 is helping
it gives me the opertunity to move the tank into another room, where it will be more visible. also an excuse to re- aquascape and clean the sand.
