What did reefing teach you?

[A Young Reefer]

Allow me to start; reefing taught us all patience and that nothing good comes quickly.
Reefing also taught me that in order to reach and maintain your goal you need to keep working, every time I look at my tank and say oh wow it looks perfect and I think I reached my goal. I would encounter some sort of algael bloom or a parameter swing that would set me weeks or months back, simply because I thought that I am just too good.
I have a clown that would keep drawing blood out of my hands in my nano, once I upgraded the tank and moved him to the larger tank. He faced someone "of his own size"; my purple tang which would keep bullying him. This taught me to treat people the same way I would like them to treat me, because whatever you do to them good or bad someone, someday will do it to you.
I learnt to never compare my tank to others, every tank is unique, and to be grateful for what I have because the blessings that I have, others might not have them.
so what did reefing teach you?

 

[laezur]

That this hobby is one of the most difficult hobbies I’ve ever picked up. It’s been a heck of a lot of hard work so far, I’m still less than a year in. If you want your reef to be successful it’s going to take dedication. So many times I’ve thought about giving up. GHA will break out, and I’ll feel like I’m winning and then BAM. Cyano. And then something else, and something else.

But it’s worth it.

 

[Timfish]

Patience. Biochemistry. Social skills. Plumbing. Woodworking. Acrylic work. Lighting design.

 

[Smirkish]

Reefing is like keeping a tiny Biome alive- it is a great Balancing Act, and far more difficult than any other hobby I have acquired. You are Constantly Learning, and having to make adjustments. It requires knowledge about so much more than just what is In our tanks. Patience is Key. I would say Reefing has taught me the most to not overreact, and to observe. It doesn’t just take Patience, it will teach you that.

 

[PeterC99]

This hobby has taught me that Reefers are very special, caring, and funny people!!!

 

[Microcosm Reefer]

Armed with a microscope I have learned there is a lot more going on in our tanks than I ever imagined... microscopic battles of epic porportions.

 

[A Young Reefer]

This hobby has taught me that Reefers are very special people!!!

100%, reefing is not just a hobby. quite frankly its a way of living.

 

[A Young Reefer]

Armed with a microscope I have learned there is a lot more going on in our tanks than I ever imagined... microscopic battles of epic porportions.

I think I need to get myself a microscope soon.

 

[Mark Goode]

Taught me that I didn't earn enough...

 

[Gordi]

I learnt how to live with disappointment eg losing a fish or coral, build up of cyano (worst thing ever), realising that I can't put my dream fish in with what I have and seeing my bank statement at the end of the month!!!

 

[s1oliver]

Humility and that I should've been a doctor or a lawyer.

 

[Coralreefer1]

It taught me that the hobby can be very expensive.
I realized that the hobby is actually easier, not as time consuming as the numerous so called urban legends out there had me believe.
Reefing also taught me that their is such diversity, beauty, synergy, competition and ware fare (ie. Chemical, Nematocysts and sweeper tentacles).
There is a fine line between maintaining a success reef aquarium and having algae bloom explosions to a total tank wipeout.
Nothing good happens fast.
Reefing has taught me that there is still so much to learn and comprehend about chemistry, biology and the hobby in general.
Reefing has taught me that it can be a very rewarding, enjoyable, entertaining, beautiful and amazing hobby with such a diverse abundance of fish, inverts and corals that can coexist in an aquarium for years.
Lastly, reefing has taught me how global warming, pollution, detrimental cyanide poisoning and blasting ( to supply the saltwater hobby) in parts of the world, over collecting, boat anchors and careless scuba and snorkel divers all can disrupt the delicate marine biotope and equilibrium.
Education, awareness, compassion and the reliance upon buying captive livestock and less wild specimens will help to ensure our reefs can be enjoyed today, tomorrow and for many years to come.

 

[Screwgunner]

This is my 3rd round at it knowledge would be the key. 1st one green hair algea . 2nd one red flat worms 3rd I am through the uglys and doing

good.

 

[steven325]

Patience

 

[blaxsun]

Buy what you can afford to replace.

 

[G Santana]

Patience!!!
Nothing good happens fast in reefing!!!

 

[Screwgunner]

Buy what you can afford to replace.

I have replaced everything 3 times I could have bought a new corvette what can you afford. Do you feel like you can move a mountain?

 

[blaxsun]

I have replaced everything 3 times I could have bought a new corvette what can you afford. Do you feel like you can move a mountain?

I can't afford a new corvette (maybe a toy one for the fish)...

 

[Uncle99]

Chemistry and patience

 

[jmichaelh7]

This has been said many times already but I genuinely mean it, not that nobody else does..

1. Patience

If a week goes by and I see the miliiepora encrusting a tenth of a inch more on the rock , I’m smiling