What to do when you want to quit?

[don_chuwish]

How to get over the 'quits', or just plain boredom? Do a mini-rebuild:
Move all the livestock to a temporary holding tank.
Pull out all the rock and dust it off at least.
Pull out all the sand and thoroughly rinse.
Give the glass (especially the back) a good cleaning.
Fix any little things that bother you and can't do when it's full.
Redo the aquascape - again fixing what you didn't like before.
Put the sand back in - or change to bare bottom if you want!
Test parameters for a week or so and then put the livestock back in.

I should have quit after breaking my second cube tank during that build. But found fun in replacing the panel myself.

 

[Amaroq]

I'm currently at the stage again where I'm musing over whether a break would be a good idea or not. I've been tentatively planning upgrades/changes to my system for the better part of the last six plus months but everytime I consider spending the money on things I'll need I just get cold feet and close the internet tabs. Part of me wants to go really small again (currently running a 40B display with 40B sump) but if I did then I'd need to rehome my dream fish I impulse bought last year for my birthday and I just can't convince myself I'll be able to find another one day. This hobby is one of my few stress relievers now that I've quit smoking but I just can't honestly justify the constantly wanting/needing to spend $300+ on equipment or livestock practically every month. Even more so cause I quit smoking because of the cost! So until I'm forced to decide on something, here I sit in my rut, staring at my tank.

 

[ca1ore]

My interest in any of my hobbies ebbs and flows. Sometimes i am less interested in reefing, sometimes more.

1. When you want to quit what do you do that helps you regain focus and dedication to your tank?

I did actually 'quit' the hobby some years back. My sons were young and I just didn't have the level of interest I felt necessary to be successful. Mothballed most of my expensive gear because I figured I'd be back. These days, a new project almost always re-energizes me. Build or design something; help somebody else with something.

2. Do you have a story where you should have quit but you didn't and now you're glad you didn't?

Should have? ….. no, not really. I've always been generally successful in my aquatic endeavors, so its never been the frustration of 'failure'; more just getting bored. I just try to not overreact to it.

 

[jeff williams]

Generally in my instance it’s because I have to much going on a DT a coral and inverts QT and a fish QT all running at the same time sometimes it can be a big work load of things are not going well in several tanks at one time. Here’s how I deal with it. I generally QT fish,coral and inverts during the winter months this is because summer is time to play and if I have hrs of tanks to deal with I get overloaded. My display tank pretty much does it’s own think all I gotta do is basic husbandry and I’ve designed my tank to be easy to service I set one day a week aside Friday’s to do my husbandry usually takes 1hr I stick to this schedule and my weekends are open to play

 

[Alarmguy66]

For me life just got in the way for awhile. There was just too much going on to invest the time required to treat the life in my tank fairly. Instead of quitting altogether I downsized dramatically, went from 3 tanks (180,55 and 20 wide) to a single 20 long. Kept my favorite fish and corals, gave the rest to people who would give them good homes. Now that the kids are out of the house and work is stable Im easing back into it, and I am happy about it. I agree with the idea earlier of ripping things apart and "starting over" with what you already have. Just think about what behind your desire to quit and take those things out of the equation with change.

 

[McPuff]

@jeff williams I totally agree. I basically go on maintenance-only mode in the summer. Then in the cold months I'm generally pretty excited to be reefing again.

 

[sarcophytonIndy]

I'm currently at the stage again where I'm musing over whether a break would be a good idea or not. I've been tentatively planning upgrades/changes to my system for the better part of the last six plus months but everytime I consider spending the money on things I'll need I just get cold feet and close the internet tabs. Part of me wants to go really small again (currently running a 40B display with 40B sump) but if I did then I'd need to rehome my dream fish I impulse bought last year for my birthday and I just can't convince myself I'll be able to find another one day. This hobby is one of my few stress relievers now that I've quit smoking but I just can't honestly justify the constantly wanting/needing to spend $300+ on equipment or livestock practically every month. Even more so cause I quit smoking because of the cost! So until I'm forced to decide on something, here I sit in my rut, staring at my tank.

I have purchased almost every piece of equipment used at a considerable discount. If you are patient you can find some great deals.

 

[JumboShrimp]

When I get discouraged I try to dial it back to the basics: Good water quality. ‘Everything’ lives in good water, right? ;Cat

 

[cancun]

When I get discouraged I try to dial it back to the basics: Good water quality. ‘Everything’ lives in good water, right? ;Cat

Absolutely!!!!!!

 

[hans4811]

My interest in any of my hobbies ebbs and flows. Sometimes i am less interested in reefing, sometimes more.

1. When you want to quit what do you do that helps you regain focus and dedication to your tank?

I did actually 'quit' the hobby some years back. My sons were young and I just didn't have the level of interest I felt necessary to be successful. Mothballed most of my expensive gear because I figured I'd be back. These days, a new project almost always re-energizes me. Build or design something; help somebody else with something.

2. Do you have a story where you should have quit but you didn't and now you're glad you didn't?

Should have? ….. no, not really. I've always been generally successful in my aquatic endeavors, so its never been the frustration of 'failure'; more just getting bored. I just try to not overreact to it.

GOOD LORD !! I look at this and think....you couldn't quit if you had to !! lol... The size of this thing ...omg. I can't even imagine having something like this...just seems impossible to me at this stage of the game.

I almost quit and still think about it after losing 10 of my 15 fish to a velvet/brook outbreak. Struggling right now, so decided to try and focus on corals for a bit instead...then I see this monster! WOW again...just an awesome tank !

 

[Mical]

1. When you want to quit what do you do that helps you regain focus and dedication to your tank?

There's been a couple of times I've threaten to toss a tank out a window, drain it and fill it with plants, etc... That was mostly in the beginning based on bad advice. Once i got a grasp on the reality of reef keeping and NOT expecting everything to be perfect, knowing that it's nature and I'm just the caretaker then it all made sense. Sure I devote a couple of hours a week maintaining my 3 tanks, but in return I get mega hours of enjoyment, stress relief from "the daily grind" and pleasure watching things grow and thrive.

2. Do you have a story where you should have quit but you didn't and now you're glad you didn't?

I bought a Harlequin Tusk (my dreamfish) put it in my 120 only to discover it came with velvet. I lost it and 11 other fish that I had for 5+ years - gone in 24 hours...bamm! After all the ups & downs and growing pains up to this point - this was "a moment of reckoning" - Either I'm going to make this reefing a reality or I'm going to throw in the towel. I decided, "I've been through a whole lot worse in life - 2 heart attacks, spinal fusion after falling 43 ft, and I wasn't going to let this kick my butt. Long story - short, I'm glad, grateful & thankful that I didn't give up because I have 3 tanks now, all are pretty much on cruise control w/minimum maintenance and being semi-retired I get to enjoy them daily.

 

[Reef_in_Denver]

Month 2. Dealing with Cyano and I'm not worried about it...part of the process of a new tank, just going to let it run it's course.

Yes, I added Corals early. Yes I am testing everything everyday because things can be volatile. All good for now.

 

[Amaroq]

I have purchased almost every piece of equipment used at a considerable discount. If you are patient you can find some great deals.

Oh trust me I practically only buy my equipment used now a days. Got a 8x24W ATI Sunpower with bulbs for $150 CAD a couple years back as the guy had dunked it in his display by accident and couldn't be bothered to repair it. Turns out the only thing it needed was new fans!! I think if I had a larger system I'd have an easier time finding used deals, but since I'm in that midground tank size buying new vs used vs DIY is practically all the same cost unfortunately.

 

[WallyB]

I "COULD" HAVE QUIT more than a DOZEN TIMES

( I never Did ) and I documented all dozen times (events/reasons) in this Thread...

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/90-gallon-mixed-lps-tank-15-year-journey-to-★success★-every-accident-disaster-problem.326397/

Each failure led to incremental steps of improvement from lessons learned.... Honed my skills....

To me personally, I love challenges, and this Hobby brings Plenty.
It's awful when things are not going well, but overcoming a challenge is a great feeling of success.

Each time reaching rock bottom (pun intended), was the beginning of a Fresh and New Exciting restart.

Not everyone may be as persistent, but that's my way.

.....and for my other SPS tank started a couple years ago, I had a few failures as well....since SPS are even less forgiving.
Restarted a few weeks ago.....Making a Big comeback (best ever) (fingers crossed....with a Little bit (lot) of DIY Automation to help the odds)

I actually THINK I MAY QUIT ( Someday, when ..... I Fully SUCCEED...whatever that is)

 

[rusty hannon]

What to do when you want to quit?

It's inevitable I feel like. Not a normal everyday thought and not everyone thinks about it but I feel like most of us at some point feel like quitting the reef hobby. Today instead of focusing on why we want to quit sometimes let's focus on the positive of why we don't and why we didn't! Let's pass along some encouragement to someone who may be thinking of draining the tank at this moment.

1. When you want to quit what do you do that helps you regain focus and dedication to your tank?

2. Do you have a story where you should have quit but you didn't and now you're glad you didn't?


PLEASE INSPIRE SOMEONE BY SHARING A PHOTO FROM YOUR REEF!

I'm haven't just considered quiting because of number chasing but my grandsons keep getting into my tank and causing problem s but in all truthfulness I step back n realize this is my passion and being disabled my other interest are out of reach besides who in their right mind would give up such a wonderful life style so despite any problem you incouner don't be a quitter if u do decide to call me lm always looking for a good deal ha ha.R

 

[Loverman Smith]

I'm not a quiter , but sometimes you just have to kick the sand off your thong sandals & move on . Federalism is important . That way when one state , such as california , becomes so perverted & corrupt , you have the freedom do move to another

 

[phatduckk]

I'm new here too and had 3 instances that taught me a lot and/or made me want to quit. one was Brook wiping out my livestock, 2 was a phos spike that took out a ton of coral and 3 was dinos.

For me a mental shift helped: I was so dang stuck on having "this tank" work that I would stress to infinity if things went south. Shifting to being ok w/ starting over unburdened me quite a bit.

 

[BigRedReefer MT]

When I feel like quitting I step back and think about how much this hobby has helped me better myself. Through velvet that wiped out everything but my majestic angel, to GHA that looked like the Amazon jungle after a bumper growth year. I think about how preserverance in this hobby has taught me to keep moving forward. I've overcome alcoholism and became a far better husband and father. I attribute that in part, by working through set backs in this hobby that I truly love. I just try to do the same with the other things I love.

 

[jwhall3]

Month 2. Dealing with Cyano and I'm not worried about it...part of the process of a new tank, just going to let it run it's course.

Yes, I added Corals early. Yes I am testing everything everyday because things can be volatile. All good for now.

That's a very nice looking setup you have there. Cyano is usually part of a new tank setup, however if you get to the point of getting frustrated or pulling your hair out over cyano I highly recommend Boyd's Chemi-clean. I have used it twice and it worked great with no side effects on my corals (SPS dominant tank). Just make sure to follow the directions. Again, well done with your setup.

 

[sp1187]

when I read the title of the post, I voted yes.
when I read rev's #1 & 2 I changed it to not voting.
my scape has inspired a few to try that method.
I've had a few offers from others to make them one.
I quit the hobby back in 97, after 14 years in it, because of a divorce.
got back in in 2017 when I finally bought a house that had the room.
I never wanted out, and won't shut this one, or the upcoming build unless
a day comes I can no longer take care of the tank inhabitants due to health or financing.