When do you consider yourself or someone else a "reefer"?

Z3speed4me · Jan 23, 2018

So long story made short; I have a handful of friends that are into this hobby, a few of them I don't really consider as enthusiasts, reef-keepers, or anything of that sort. I basically say they own fish tanks... maybe I am being too harsh!?

This stems from the fact that they have pretty nice tanks setup, with quality equipment, stocked with fish, decent coral, etc... but don't "DO" anything for or with their tanks. Maintenance (bi-weekly/monthly) is paid for, tests are rarely performed on their own if kits are even owned, and everything is basically purchased based on what they are told by these, for lack of a better word, salesmen.

To me at least, the biggest part of this hobby is the accomplishment of building your system and taking care of everything through the ups and downs. During all of these trials and tribulations you are constantly learning and gain a larger appreciation and understanding of the biology and chemistry if you will of what's going on in there. Next time "X" happens you think you know, or at least can assume, it's because of "Y", vs simply saying wow that looks bad or good but really have no clue what's happening so you call someone.

Does anyone disagree? If someone just owns a tank regardless of how beautiful it is, are they really a hobbyist if they don't personally maintain it? Does that make them any less of an enthusiast just because they do not take care of their setup? Can you still LOVE this hobby but not be fully invested (not meaning financially) in what it means to be the owner and in my eyes, the one that should be maintaining a saltwater aquarium?

Discuss....??

Crabs McJones · Jan 23, 2018

That's a bit of a grey area. Because the people you described would probably consider themselves reefers while others would not. It's all going to be a matter of personal description. To me the term "reefer" means you have a reef tank that you built yourself and you fully take care of as far as maintenance, stocking, equipment, and knowledge of the hobby. Someone who pays a company to come in, put in a tank, stock it, maintain it would not be a reefer in my eyes.

revhtree · Jan 23, 2018

Very good question! My simple definition is when you can successfully grow coral in your aquarium. Something grows besides algae.

saltyhog · Jan 23, 2018

For me, reefers take care of reef tanks. Others just own reef tanks, like they own furniture.

Those that take care of tanks for those that own them are by definition...professional reefers. Why does this sound like a Cheech and Chong post?

DLHDesign · Jan 23, 2018

Anyone who wants to have a bit of ocean (fish and corals) in their room(s) qualifies as a "reefer" to me. Whether you care for it yourself, or just enjoy seeing it (or even just want the status of having it), at some level there was the thought that the ocean was cool enough to devote space and money to. And that is good enough for me to give you the label "reefer".

Z3speed4me · Jan 23, 2018

Yea maybe I shouldn't have used "reefer"...

Anyone live in Colorado have a different opinion on this subject? I have some questions for you specifically on which grow lights I should put in my fuge for chaeto

samnaz · Jan 23, 2018

Constantly learning and appreciating the incredible biology and chemistry of the mini ecosystem within my own reef is what it’s all about for me. Doing the “work” allows me to enjoy it at another level, and those who pay other people to do that work instead are missing out.

I consider anyone with a reef tank to be a “reefer” despite their level of dedication and/or interest.

EmdeReef · Jan 23, 2018

Z3speed4me said:
So long story made short; I have a handful of friends that are into this hobby, a few of them I don't really consider as enthusiasts, reef-keepers, or anything of that sort. I basically say they own fish tanks... maybe I am being too harsh!?

This stems from the fact that they have pretty nice tanks setup, with quality equipment, stocked with fish, decent coral, etc... but don't "DO" anything for or with their tanks. Maintenance (bi-weekly/monthly) is paid for, tests are rarely performed on their own if kits are even owned, and everything is basically purchased based on what they are told by these, for lack of a better word, salesmen.

To me at least, the biggest part of this hobby is the accomplishment of building your system and taking care of everything through the ups and downs. During all of these trials and tribulations you are constantly learning and gain a larger appreciation and understanding of the biology and chemistry if you will of what's going on in there. Next time "X" happens you think you know, or at least can assume, it's because of "Y", vs simply saying wow that looks bad or good but really have no clue what's happening so you call someone.

Does anyone disagree? If someone just owns a tank regardless of how beautiful it is, are they really a hobbyist if they don't personally maintain it? Does that make them any less of an enthusiast just because they do not take care of their setup? Can you still LOVE this hobby but not be fully invested (not meaning financially) in what it means to be the owner and in my eyes, the one that should be maintaining a saltwater aquarium?

Discuss....??

I'd say as long as they know anything about their tanks other than to point to an expensive coral or an exclusive fish they're reefers (My standards have dropped a lot lately).

If a tank was their interior designer's idea then probably not reefers anymore than someone who's "into art" who hires a consultant to make picks for him/her. Some of my friends have gorgeous 3-500g tanks that were part of the overall apt/house design plan, set up virtually overnight with gorgeous sps colonies, pricey fish, and maintained up to twice a week by pros... However,they'd have a hard time telling the difference between a fish and a shrimp...

Servillius · Jan 23, 2018

Only when my neighbor, the cop, says “so the lights are ALL for fish?”

FlyinBryan · Jan 23, 2018

Getting 1/2” growth on any sps coral!! Ha

CanadianReefer · Jan 23, 2018

I'd say you have to do your own maintenance etc. to call yourself a real reefer. Half the challenge in having healthy coral and fish is in how you care for them- so if you're hiring someone else to do it, then it is the person you hired that would be the reefer in my books. I research everyday and do all my own testing and maintenance. I wouldn't have it any other way...

BC1906 · Jan 23, 2018

I say you're a reefer when you first start buying coral and for whatever reason they don't make it and you're still willing to go out and spend money on more.

Centerline · Jan 23, 2018

When you mix that first batch of saltwater with the intent of have a thriving tank one day.

mightieskeeper · Jan 23, 2018

I know no one that can afford a reef tank manager. This is a crazy idea. That would be like owning a car and riding in the back seat every where it is going. You don't get to experience the trill of driving. That is boring. I love getting my hands in fresh salt. It is just one of many things about are hobby that drives my passion for it.

Don Lidtke · Jan 23, 2018

To me being a reefer means that I am the one doing the work, studying, putting the pieces together, making the mistakes and learning from them.

Daltrey · Jan 23, 2018

I would say when you can buy a couple dozen frags and throw them in your tank and hope for the best. Even if only one survives then your a reefer. If for some reason that doesn’t work then just buy more frags. Eventually you have to get lucky.

The odds of something not surviving are 263,857 to 1.

Branespikin · Jan 23, 2018

When you spend all day on R2R !!!

Forsaken77 · Jan 23, 2018

I would say you're a reefer if you have the full understanding and appreciation of what is happening in your glass box of water. I would happily pay someone to properly maintain my tank if I could afford to (and trusted them enough), just so I could enjoy it more. Also because I'm disabled and it would be much easier on me.

Just because you're not elbow deep doesn't disqualify imo. As long as the person knows what all the equipment is for, knows the parameters of where the tank should be, and has a full understanding of what's going on is good enough for me.

If you just own a tank and let someone else stock it and choose all the equipment and they maintain everything, without a clue of knowledge, then you're not a reefer. You're a furniture/art appreciater.

Jam-reef · Jan 23, 2018

R2R should turn this one into a poll, hint hint.
I’m set on Reefer status only applying to us that are fully involved in our systems. Anyone who just pays someone else to do everything is called a reef owner and not even a hobbyist IMO. This is a hobby and if you think of any hobby, you do the work because you love it. If you are paying someone to come over and perform everything then you are watching a Reefer perform his hobby on the system you own.

Flippers4pups · Jan 23, 2018

I'll share my opinion on this.

To me there's three types of people associated with marine tanks........

1.) Enthusiast. Someone that is devoted to keeping fish, inverts and corals. Keeps equipment and water pramameters in top shape. Has established themselves as knowledgeable and experienced. Involved in local/national shows/frag swaps/clubs and is active on forums. Is in gauged daily with their tanks. Thinks "reef tanks" daily. (Not all required, but most)

2.) Hobbyist. Same as above, just not fully in gauged on a daily basis.

3.) Owns a tank. Maybe this one includes people that have a LFS maintain their tank. Hands on very little. Typically tanks that suffer and usually don't stay in the hobby long due to lack of interest.

Nothing wrong with any of the categories, just my personal experience and observations.