What is the most rewarding thing about this Hobby?

NMdesertReefer · Jul 30, 2018

Hello everyone! I'm somewhat new to this forum and this hobby, I don't really post that much but I decided to share something about me and to see what others feel the same or similar. To me this hobby while not cheap has been very rewarding, I sometimes suffer from really bad stress and it will get in the way of my daily life and it's sucks. Since starting my tank I been able to keep my stress level very low, to me testing my tank, doing some DIY stuff and just watching things grow has been very enjoyable and rewarding. How do you guys enjoy your tank?

cracker · Jul 30, 2018

I personally like the challenge . I really don't sit & enjoy how my tanks look always doing something to improve.

Phelipe's Ocean · Jul 30, 2018

+1 on the growth but for me also knowing that the entire reef is in your hands is very interesting to me. Nothing beats standing back and looking at what you have created.

Krzydmnd · Jul 30, 2018

Good question!

I'm new to this hobby, my very first tank has hit 1 year this month. The most rewarding aspect for me is the "reef harmony" of fish and coral where everything in my tank is doing well.

If I have a problem with one thing I like to try to figure out what is needed to correct it without throwing anything else out of whack.

I've yet to achieve this goal and not even sure if it's entirely possible but striving to keep my tank animals happy and healthy is the most rewarding aspect.

ZoWhat · Jul 30, 2018

Making my wife mad for spending more time and money on my tank than her.....

Katrina71 · Jul 30, 2018

Seeing at least 6 neighborhood kids crowded around the tank! I am amazed at how much they notice.

NMdesertReefer · Jul 30, 2018

skimjim said:
Making my wife mad for spending more time and money on my tank than her.....

That's funny I think my wife feels the same way, I'm hoping my kids will be interested as I am.

cancun · Jul 30, 2018

This is a great question! I too find my tank a huge stress reliver.......that is when things are going smoothly. I have had a reef tank for several years, and I love that no matter how long you are in this hobby you learn something new every day. There aren't many hobbies like that. Keeps it interesting! Lastly I really love to watch how my tank is always evolving.....corals growing, and fish thriving. [emoji3]

Travv · Jul 31, 2018

skimjim said:
Making my wife mad for spending more time and money on my tank than her.....

Rewarding...? Let's hope she isn't on the forums, haha. [emoji23]

SPR1968 · Jul 31, 2018

I find the most rewarding and enjoyable part of the hobby, is simply watching the living coral reef I’ve created in my living room, endlessly! Lol

I can gaze for ages just watching the fish behaviour........

Punchanello · Jul 31, 2018

I'm very new to the hobby. I was attracted to it because I've always been fascinated by the ocean and it is a challenge. I love those little moments of success when you give yourself a little inner high five that no one you know would understand.

What I didn't bank on was the effect it would have on my mental health. It can be stressful sometimes but sitting there, watching the tank is meditative. Being in the moment. Doing that each day has had a positive impact on my life.

Bob Weigant · Jul 31, 2018

I find a lot of peace when I sit back and stare at my tanks.

Paul B · Jul 31, 2018

It is something I can fool around with if I have nothing else to do, like in the winter when I don't go boating or much outside. Or In the summer if I have a little down time, which very rarely happens. I don't have a maintenance schedule so I can do that stuff when ever I like.
Tonight I will drive on the beach and collect some water and I can try out my new water collection hose device. I love tinkering and the tank always will have something I can design or redesign. I like the fact that a tank is never finished and It gives me something to think about.
I rarely, or never just sit and look at it. If I did, I would build or change something and the fish hate that.

Jim Fox · Jul 31, 2018

It would be the challenge and watching the growth of the fish and corals. It is amazing how big some of the corals can get which will lead to getting a new tank someday

madweazl · Jul 31, 2018

It brings me a sense of peace (most of the time); I've always been fascinated by the ocean and having a piece of it in the home has been so rewarding. I spend a lot of time just gazing in the tank to see how things are doing, watching all of the industrious critters going about their daily routines (with the exception of the yellow tang, I wouldn't lose sleep if it choked on a fire worm).

It's 1/3 experiment, 1/3 work, and 1/3 pure enjoyment, the left over .3~ is all the other !#%@ that comes along with cramming critters into a tiny box because I'm selfish.

TheEngineer · Jul 31, 2018

The most rewarding part for me is when one or both of my daughters ask to go in my office with me so they can sit on my lap and watch the fish tank.

Makes my heart feel good

Bpb · Jul 31, 2018

Seeing noticeable acro growth from week to week. That’s what drives the machine for me. My tank probably causes more stress than it relieves and my family and friends care absolutely zero about it. Purely in it for tackling the challenge of healthy sps

Don Lidtke · Jul 31, 2018

I am in the process of setting up a tank and I not at the point of having a tank to look at so for right now it’s the problem solving and research.

Right now I am in the process of laying out my Apex modules, trying to have a clean and organized cable runs and determining just how far away from the tank I can place things.

As odd as it seems I find that even the trial and error process enjoyable.