There's No Turning Back

john.m.cole3 · Nov 29, 2016

As a hobbyist I had to decide that I wanted a reef tank. after I decided that, I became a bit overwhelmed with all there was and is to learn about keeping a reef tank. I spent many hours every night in front of the computer trying to put all of the pieces together. I bought equipment and a tank. I added a DIY overflow and a sump a few months down the road. we got a pair of clown fish and even a purple mushroom. It was awesome, I had a reef tank. I slowly bought fish and coral. I lost some fish and most of my corals slowly, because I was making mistakes... but I loved it. I would come home from work and stare at my tank for about 30 minutes when I fed it. That's when I realized... It was like having a moment of clarity... I fell in love with reefing.

Now there's no turning back! Reefer for Life!

when did you realize that reefing is now a part of you?

AllSignsPointToFish · Nov 29, 2016

I realized it back in college while visiting a local pet shop that had a reef tank on display. I was mesmerized, but never thought I could or would do it.

Then, I bought a house with a built-in 90-gallon acrylic tank already set up for saltwater. The rest, as they say, was history

Squirrel_reefer · Nov 29, 2016

I realized there was no turning back after this rationalization I had: I need to eat ramen for two weeks because my corals needed 600 bucks worth of lights...because that's how they eat... what am I supposed to do?! deny my corals their precious light???? what kind of parent would I be if I didnt feed my kids.....

Chrisfish · Nov 29, 2016

john.m.cole3 said:
As a hobbyist I had to decide that I wanted a reef tank. after I decided that, I became a bit overwhelmed with all there was and is to learn about keeping a reef tank. I spent many hours every night in front of the computer trying to put all of the pieces together. I bought equipment and a tank. I added a DIY overflow and a sump a few months down the road. we got a pair of clown fish and even a purple mushroom. It was awesome, I had a reef tank. I slowly bought fish and coral. I lost some fish and most of my corals slowly, because I was making mistakes... but I loved it. I would come home from work and stare at my tank for about 30 minutes when I fed it. That's when I realized... It was like having a moment of clarity... I fell in love with reefing.

Now there's no turning back! Reefer for Life!

when did you realize that reefing is now a part of you?

Omg where did you find that picture of my house???

Ty Hamatake · Nov 29, 2016

Mine was very similar to @Squirrel_reefer. Just recently did I come to the realization that nothing was off limits as far as price. When I first started I would scoff when I saw a $100.00 light, "Who in their right mind would pay that much for a light?", I would think. Then, after a while, the price for the light seemed ok, but "50 bucks for a fish!? You are crazy!". I no longer tell myself that I would never pay that much for something because chances are, I will end up doing just that. Lol that's what love is right?

AllSignsPointToFish · Nov 29, 2016

Another thing happened to me that was kind of weird. So, I had my first house for about 5 years, but when I sold it and moved, I couldn't take my reef with me. As such, I got out of reefing for about 10 years.

Then, last year, my wife's friend was moving. We were helping her sort out her garage when I came across a 125-gallon reef tank that they had used for her son's pet turtle many years ago. I had just bought my own house, and she wanted me to take the tank or she was going to throw it out. As such, I came into possession of a tank that plunged me back into reefkeeping