Sad question that I have to ask...

jgvergo · Jul 2, 2023

It's been 7 years filled with fun, wonder, frustration, beauty, learning, satisfaction, sadness...the whole gamut of emotions. Most of it has been great, and this community has been integral to so much of my experience. Nevertheless, I must ask:

What's the best way to get out of the hobby? I have a fairly high end system (~100 gallon) and I'd like to get a fair price for my equipment and livestock. I realize most people here have not gone through the process of selling their systems, but perhaps some have and can offer advice. TIA!

Sump Crab · Jul 2, 2023

Unfortunately most ppl leaving the hobby get absolutely hosed when it comes to recouping $$. Easiest way is to sell an entire set up for bottom dollar and hope someone bites. Best way to get the most $$ back is to part out the entire system.

Sump Crab · Jul 2, 2023

Sump Crab said:
Unfortunately most ppl leaving the hobby get absolutely hosed when it comes to recouping $$. Easiest way is to sell an entire set up for bottom dollar and hope someone bites. Best way to get the most $$ back is to part ways he entire system out.

Also sometimes LFS will buy your setup if it’s nice and they can flip everything in their store.

Lbrdsoxfan · Jul 2, 2023

Sump Crab said:
Unfortunately most ppl leaving the hobby get absolutely hosed when it comes to recouping $$. Easiest way is to sell an entire set up for bottom dollar and hope someone bites. Best way to get the most $$ back is to part ways he entire system out.

This. Last tank breakdown I did, I gave the livestock to friends & LFS. Coral went the same way and I fire sold the tank (free) and pumps and miscellaneous was pennies on the dollar.

j.falk · Jul 2, 2023

Part out your equipment and sell piece by piece to get the biggest return. Be prepared to ship the equipment. Sell the tank and stand together on Facebook marketplace. If you try to sell it altogether as a complete setup be prepared to take a significant loss on your investment. Livestock is hard to get rid of unless you are willing to ship. I've taken livestock to local pet stores and given it away just to be rid of it.

Nano_Man · Jul 2, 2023

Sad that your packing in . I would sit back for a bit and you may change your mind. The thing is when selling up everyone wants it for next to nothing. I packed in and started again . Just take time that you’re 100% sure . But I wish you good luck for the future

j.falk · Jul 2, 2023

^ Good point. OP could always get rid of the livestock and hold onto the tank and equipment for down the road. I've sold off several setups only to regret those decisions several years later.

vetteguy53081 · Jul 2, 2023

jgvergo said:
It's been 7 years filled with fun, wonder, frustration, beauty, learning, satisfaction, sadness...the whole gamut of emotions. Most of it has been great, and this community has been integral to so much of my experience. Nevertheless, I must ask:

What's the best way to get out of the hobby? I have a fairly high end system (~100 gallon) and I'd like to get a fair price for my equipment and livestock. I realize most people here have not gone through the process of selling their systems, but perhaps some have and can offer advice. TIA!

Depreciation is going to hurt. Prices in this tank vary by condition, age, type of equipment and region (area you live in)
Listing on R2R, craigslist, Facebook groups and even local pet store will be your best source of finding a buyer
Be prepared for low-ballers, ridiculous offers and even like here on R2R, people trying to dissect your system and make offers on a single piece of equipment.
Its often easier to sell an empty system opposed to a system with livestock, at least fish especially if your buyer want to upgrade tanks and already has fish.
Most often , you will get 40% of your investment back in a sale

edd59 · Jul 2, 2023

drain it, clean everything and pack it away untill you get the urge again. im sure you will. if you dont have room just sell tank and stand.

stevolough · Jul 2, 2023

Keep it. Just simplify it. There is certainly some beautiful tanks out there but don’t try to compete. Less is more.

exnisstech · Jul 2, 2023

Is there a particular reason you want to leave? ie health finances etc or are you just tired? If it's the later maybe as suggested pack it away and see what the future holds. If not be prepared to take a pretty big loss. It's just the way it is with hobby items. Equipment items aren't collectables so they have done nothing but depreciate.
I would list the entire system fish, coral and all for a brief period local and see if there is any interests. If not then start parting it out livestock first then down the line. Maybe offer the entire system minus live stock, then on to item by item last

littlefoxx · Jul 2, 2023

jgvergo said:
It's been 7 years filled with fun, wonder, frustration, beauty, learning, satisfaction, sadness...the whole gamut of emotions. Most of it has been great, and this community has been integral to so much of my experience. Nevertheless, I must ask:

What's the best way to get out of the hobby? I have a fairly high end system (~100 gallon) and I'd like to get a fair price for my equipment and livestock. I realize most people here have not gone through the process of selling their systems, but perhaps some have and can offer advice. TIA!

You could try listing the complete reef on FB marketplace! Thats where I looked and found my tank. Yeah you wont get near what you put into it. You can also sell coral/live stock locally too for cash

revhtree · Jul 3, 2023

Hate to lose you!

Troylee · Jul 3, 2023

revhtree said:
Hate to lose you!

What’s up with those color changing reef2reef badges?!?!?

Reefer Matt · Jul 3, 2023

Troylee said:
What’s up with those color changing reef2reef badges?!?!?

For those that purchase this sign...
Thread 'Reef2Reef fully controllable RGB illuminated logo light! (Plus R2R Badge T-Shirt and Badge Sticker)' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/r...s-r2r-badge-t-shirt-and-badge-sticker.988630/

Reefer Matt · Jul 3, 2023

jgvergo said:
It's been 7 years filled with fun, wonder, frustration, beauty, learning, satisfaction, sadness...the whole gamut of emotions. Most of it has been great, and this community has been integral to so much of my experience. Nevertheless, I must ask:

What's the best way to get out of the hobby? I have a fairly high end system (~100 gallon) and I'd like to get a fair price for my equipment and livestock. I realize most people here have not gone through the process of selling their systems, but perhaps some have and can offer advice. TIA!

Sorry to hear you are leaving the hobby, I did so myself in 2006. When I got out, I sold the livestock first (practically gave it away) and then the equipment. It depends on if you are looking to get as much money back from it, or just quickly get rid of it all. A complete setup is the most difficult to sell, imo, because it requires the most work by the purchaser to move it all, plus the total expense of the whole system. Most people look for deals of at least half off of retail. I wish you luck in your next journey in life.

Nano_Man · Jul 3, 2023

I am going to make one of them flashing badges and stick it on my phone screen . Money goes to money and skint goes to skint

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 3, 2023

FWIW, when I choose to take my tank down, I had a few prize specimens that I sold/gave away to friends, but a lot of the livestock and rock, etc. when to the local reef club to resell/auction for their own benefit.

X-37B · Jul 3, 2023

My lsfs are full of tanks people just dropped off because they cant sell it. Then lfs wants stupid prices for something they paid nothing for, go figure.
I got a 20g aio nano with stand for
$100 though from another lfs.
I gave away my 120 to someone who is using it and it made their day.

If you have time keep it running and run an add for best offer.

If time is an issue then sell or take all coral and fish to lfs.
Clean the system and all equipment like you were setting it up for yourself.
You can now sell the high end equipment.
A nice clean tank, stand, and sump are much easier to sell.

Mark Gray · Jul 3, 2023

I got out about 15 years ago I basically gave everything away, 2 300 gallon tanks, 1 30 gallon and 1 55 gallon. My wife passed away and I traveled for work none of the controllers were really out then. To this day I wish I had kept most of it. I was ok with out a tank until I made a mistake lol I went scuba diving in Thailand. But I only have one tank now. Good luck