Negatives to owning a reef tank

[Bruce Burnett]

I'm interested in your opinion...what are the negatives to owning a reef tank?

Expense...
Backache...
Difficult going on vacation...
Anxiety that something is about to go wrong...
Spending years creating something which can be destroyed in minutes...
Unhappy partners...
Floods...
Pests...
Disease
Weird smells...
Having something die and no idea why?
Relentless testing ( I don't actually mind this bit)

Anymore you can think of?

Think you have most of it. Every time I set up a system I would go bigger after a few years. You really realize how cost also go up. Decided to get rid of my 280 gallon tank and everything with it. Now trying to decide if it sells am I getting out or go smaller like red sea reefer 250.

 

[amazongb]

It's a rabbit hole.. I have no idea why I like it..

 

[Sagecritter4life]

All the above [emoji6] lol now going back to the reef addiction since getting ready for WB 170.4/5 startup...geez

 

[Zuma]

All the live stock that dies in transit from place of origin to your reef. Those who have gone to a wholesaler or have worked at an aquarium store have an idea of this; this isn’t limited to just salt water tho.

 

[FishyFish]

I worry about what will happen if we have to evacuate for a hurricane. I've never stayed for a major hurricane before but now that I have a fish tank I guess I have to either stay put or take the fish with me and frankly both options suck!

 

[ReefSlice]

How about loss of sanity and friends when all you want to talk about is seaweed and rocks? It's a slippery slope ladies and gents!
I'm always amazed how much this hobby has grown with the upwelling of technology since I started. Makes me happy I'm not the only crazy one!

 

[Diznaster]

I'd put mine under pests I suppose. I had freshwater tanks most of my life, always dreamed of a reef tank. When I got married and we bought a house we made a deal. When the basement is finished I could have a tank (but it better not stink ;Wideyed). After about 10 years of remodeling every other part of the house, I got to the basement. I'd been researching and planning the whole time. Built my dream tank (well at least for the space we have). Then it got infected with red turf algae and this stuff is impossible to beat. My wife thinks it looks pretty and the tank doesn't stink. I absolutely hate my tank and can't stand it, LOL.

 

[Lollipop]

Spending years creating something which can be destroyed in minutes...

had an exploding population of pods never worried about algae or water change (used to be once every 2-3 months). Then entire population except few disappeared in one week. then had to fight with algae. still working on it and establishing pod population again after a series of massive water changes for the past month. it was the phosphate RX!!!

 

[Sarah24!]

Most of the ladies just don't get it!

Really hampers the dating life.

Hello,

I have other reasons but this is one reason I don’t date. It’s not because it takes too much time, that’s clearly work for me (then prior was school). But every time I have had company, work friends, parents and family with their gfs etc the whole list. They can’t leave my tank alone, the have to tap on it, out there fingers, hands, pop tarts who knows.

But of all the negatives listed the biggest one for me is I can’t alwaye sit down and just enjoy the beauty. There is work or training for work, or I’m so exhausted I fall asleep in front of it. I’m really pretty shy in person, so being with my tank is normal for me.

Yes at times there is stress even for me, but learning to cope with that also helps one in life. I don’t think it’s a money pit per say, (definitely can be), but far from cheap. But compared to other hobbies, let’s try golf and the only way I can golf is by picking the little white ball up and throwing it each time. (Makes it great for when your on short grass with the flag thingys, I can walk up and drop it in), yes I’m horrible at golf. But in honesty lol even with the negatives how many things (.be honest) doesn’t come with negatives lol. For those who need permission, are you serious or kidding? Put it this way, (I don’t use make up very often if ever, now there is an expensive hobby and I definitely opted out. It would be neat to see ones husband put a spendy budget on soaps and lotions and makeup etc.

 

[PerplexyHexy]

Electricity Bill $$$$$$$$$$

 

[HB AL]

I'm interested in your opinion...what are the negatives to owning a reef tank?

Expense...
Backache...
Difficult going on vacation...
Anxiety that something is about to go wrong...
Spending years creating something which can be destroyed in minutes...
Unhappy partners...
Floods...
Pests...
Disease
Weird smells...
Having something die and no idea why?
Relentless testing ( I don't actually mind this bit)

Anymore you can think of?

Actually none of the above. Only thing I think of from time to time is a really large earthquake with the epicenter close to my house, the Newport/Inglewood fault runs right under my house here in HB, but then again if it’s that big the tank is gonna be the least of my worries.

 

[Tastee]

For me it’s just the vacation issue. And I went into this hobby with eyes wide open (and deep pockets so have addressed a lot of that with automation and will continue to do so. We also have a Cocker Spaniel we love who is a home boy, so house sitters are the way to go for us.

And I made sure my wife was onboard with the journey before I started, so happily no issues there.

 

[KrisReef]

Wow, just wow! I have never had any of these negative thoughts about my reef tank before. Most of these posts about lost money, time family, friends, relationships I can’t relate to in the least. Worrying about earthquakes, leaks or pests that’s just crazy talk to me. The only thing that has ever bothered me is the fish in the reef tank. They make me uncomfortable when they stare at me. They don’t stare all the time, but they always give me those eyes wide open looks when I walk by the tank naked. It’s really unnerving when they do that.

 

[laverda]

For me it is the electric bill and losing fish or corals. I am very aware or how much different components use electricity wise. I always buy with that in mind and it has paid off. My electric bill is less for my 3 tanks (300, 270 & 50 gallons then most 150 gallon tanks are. Still it is the biggest expense in maintaining my tanks. I spend very little on them otherwise. You do not have to spend a fortune to have a nice tank. That said I know there are people that have spent more on one coral then my 300 gallon cost me.
As far as fish and corals go I seldom loose fish and have several over 20 years old. Corals are up and down for recently due to a faulty dosing pump.

 

[oldfishman]

Solving a problem only to discover that it was a different problem. Even more just determining what might be the problem.

 

[virtual reality]

All the reef stuff I save on my computer. My favorites list grows faster than anything else.

 

[Jereamy]

+1 With all of the above!!!! [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

 

[Bob Escher]

Definitely unhappy partner. My wife wants to budget me at $100/month, between coral, fish, and any other needs (foods, additives, etc., etc.) Doesn’t matter if it’s a fish or coral I’ve wanted all my life, the answer is no! Has anyone ever gotten divorced over spending money on aquariums is another question? I’m a little tired of being told what I can spend money on or how much I can spend! I’m not a big spender, but she’s certainly a tight *** with money. Are we rich? No, not even close, but we’re not broke...sorry, a little rant .

Sounds like mine, the uninterested one

 

[scriptmonkey]

Salt creep. Freaking salt creep. How in the holy guacamole does it get on everything

 

[Oliver d]

Definitely unhappy partner. My wife wants to budget me at $100/month, between coral, fish, and any other needs (foods, additives, etc., etc.) Doesn’t matter if it’s a fish or coral I’ve wanted all my life, the answer is no! Has anyone ever gotten divorced over spending money on aquariums is another question? I’m a little tired of being told what I can spend money on or how much I can spend! I’m not a big spender, but she’s certainly a tight *** with money. Are we rich? No, not even close, but we’re not broke...sorry, a little rant .

I can fully relate with you.My wife says the whole time "dont spend so much on that stupid tank of yours,there are other things that are more importend"