This will be your reward for growing a beautiful reef....

revhtree · Apr 25, 2019

So most of us started keeping a reef tank for the pure enjoyment of the hobby, watching fish swim and corals grow etc.. But after it being a hobby, for some, it has morphed into other things like a business, fame or even a stimulant for health reasons etc. No matter the reason it is always rewarding to be able to grow a mature, beautiful reef. But for others the reward is more than satisfaction it is a way to get paid or a way to earn benefits etc.

No matter how you slice it the opportunity to capitalize on your hard work is there for anyone desiring to gain more than just a good feeling for growing a beautiful reef. So what are are some of the ways you can capitalize or be "rewarded" for being a successful reef grower?

Satisfaction in a job well done.
Notoriety among your peers.
Notoriety within the industry.
Free or reduced cost product and equipment from companies.
Free or reduced coral and fish from companies.
Payment for photos of your mature reef to be used for product packaging.
Free travel to speak at industry events, frag swaps, club meetings, etc.

These are a few "rewards" that come to my mind but I wonder if I am missing something and how you feel about being "rewarded" for your hard work.

So do you want to be rewarded and how might that look to you?

image via @server10 at Aquaforest! Check this thread out.

Cassian · Apr 25, 2019

good gosh that a gorgeous tank! my reward would be selling frags off of my hard earned colonies

revhtree · Apr 25, 2019

LukeWolf said:
good gosh that a gorgeous tank! my reward would be selling frags off of my hard earned colonies

That's a good point!

Mortie31 · Apr 25, 2019

Is that your tank @revhtree ? It’s stunning

BeejReef · Apr 25, 2019

Children enthralled by the beauty of nature and motivated to excel in math and science that earn full scholarships to college!
That's .5M my sorry as* is never gonna earn selling frags

Incredible reef you have there!

revhtree · Apr 25, 2019

Mortie31 said:
Is that your tank @revhtree ? It’s stunning

I wish!! image via @server10 at Aquaforest! Check this thread out.

Paul B · Apr 25, 2019

I have been rewarded by my tank for many years. It just makes me feel better to know it is there.

albano · Apr 25, 2019

I got my first fish tank in the 50’s, when I was 5 yrs old and confined to bed rest because of a car accident. But in 1973, after college, I went all out with salt water, with 5 tanks in my apartment, and then 2 more in my businesses.
I consider this 500g, my best tank ever... it is 6’x5’ and is much better to look at than any TV or computer screen!
Very proud to show ‘my baby’ to many local reefers/friends that often stop by.
Most coral ‘deals’ are cashless and I’m happy to help others have some of the success that I’ve had. Paying it forward is very rewarding!

Waters · Apr 25, 2019

I would be happy with a simple Mature Reef banner under my name

hotdrop · Apr 25, 2019

Lol a mature reef in your house that you can look at anytime you want is it’s own reward.

AdamNC · Apr 25, 2019

The only reward I want is the notoriety that it's my reef. I don't need anything else.

reacclimating 2 the hobby · Apr 25, 2019

My reward is being able to keep corals and fish alive that aren't fairing so well in nature these days. I have no intent on making my hobby a business, but I know the days of having to trim will come. Those frags will go to members here in trade or dirt cheap.

Mrs. Herbert · Apr 25, 2019

I would like to start selling some of my corals to others. Right now I had another RBTA split and I noticed little Kenya trees popping up around my tank.

Flippers4pups · Apr 25, 2019

I'll speak at events! Love to talk reef and of course promote R2R!

High ICP · Apr 25, 2019

Mortie31 said:
Is that your tank @revhtree ? It’s stunning

Yup

He’s the CEO of Aquaforest

Mike.P · Apr 25, 2019

I may be crazy but, with things going the way they are, I think the day is going to come when all of us are going to be cutting and donating frags to reseed the oceans. I hope it never gets to that point, but that's an endeavour that would be very rewarding.

SynGraves · Apr 25, 2019

Id like a sticker once my nano reef matures

Day to day rewards of keeping a healthy reef is seeing the corals fully open, growing and healthy and happy fish.

Biokabe · Apr 25, 2019

I'm in sales, so I'm always motivated by cold, hard cash. Or discounts. Selling frags, giving testimonials, receiving promo items... if I had the pull to take advantage of any of those, of course I'd love to have my reef pay back some of what I've put into it.

That said - having a reef needs to be its own reward. If it wasn't intrinsically rewarding, I wouldn't do it. It's a lot of blood, sweat and tears to put together a healthy reef, and there's absolutely no guarantee that you'll ever be rewarded externally. Seeing beautiful fish, stunning corals, and quirky invertebrates on a daily basis is its own joy.

Rakie · Apr 25, 2019

Selling frags is it's own reward

Tyler Bullock · Apr 25, 2019

I am in this hobby currently for the challenge of keeping a proper saltwater fish tank. Once I am more advanced. I'm sure I will attempt to sell. Currently this is strictly a money pit hobby, and I love it!