Why do we love reefing so much?

[Shevlin77]

Friend of mine recently asked what I loved the most about my aquarium. Which I never really thought about in detail so here a few things that came to mind.

1. Obviously the beauty, colors and the movement
2. Watching the coral growth
3. the fish interaction
4. All the things you see at night when you really look
5. Watching my crabs battle it out
6. cleaner shrimp jumping on my hand when it’s in cleaning the tank.

What are yours?

 

[Rmckoy]

It’s a little of everything . Even to the background sound of water .

the real question is how many Countless hours have you passed staring into your aquarium ?

 

[reef_725]

Friend of mine recently asked what I loved the most about my aquarium. Which I never really thought about in detail so here a few things that came to mind.

1. Obviously the beauty, colors and the movement
2. Watching the coral growth
3. the fish interaction
4. All the things you see at night when you really look
5. Watching my crabs battle it out
6. cleaner shrimp jumping on my hand when it’s in cleaning the tank.

What are yours?

For myself, agree with 1,2,3, and 6. I think knowing I can successfully grow/care for such a delicate organism (coral/fish/inverts) that look so great give me a great sense of pride and its really nice to share it with family and friends, and then be able to teach them about it..if they want.

 

[gbru316]

Complexity and challenge

 

[fish farmer]

Vermont winters are long.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Animals. I like animals. I feel the connection with corals being just above plants kinda. Lol.
-d

 

[jp415]

It’s a little of everything . Even to the background sound of water .

the real question is how many Countless hours have you passed staring into your aquarium ?

Many hours. Rather watch and tinker with my tank than watch TV.

 

[Rmckoy]

Many hours. Rather watch and tinker with my tank than watch TV.

Same …..

My 230 is setup right beside the couch in the living room .
I spend many hours just watching .
Add a sheet of nori and it’s like watching fight night

 

[PeterC99]

Recreation of Mother Nature, right in our own homes!

 

[Thunder_reef]

I’ve kept aquariums ever since I was kid. I had bowls with gold fish etc when I was in grade school. I got a ten gallon for Xmas when I was in 5th grade, with the corner bubble filter, and an incandescent bulb that gave it a nice yellow glow. I remember going to fish stores and wishing that some day I could have a big tank. I’ve always been fascinated by aquariums. In my teens I was to busy chasing girls when I caught one there was never any room for tanks. When my second wife and I got together we discovered we both had a love of all animals and I quickly got back into aquaria. I tend to want to do things “all the way” so when her and I bought our first tank I knew it had to be a reef tank. That was 26 years ago and minus a couple years here and there we have always had a reef tank. The idea of keeping and caring for these animals that most people will never see or even know exist is very rewarding. Natural design is so apparent in the reef environment , I find that amazing. People who see my tank and listen as I explain this or that are so surprised that nearly every animal has a purpose and a function on the reef. It helps that I’m a tinkerer and the gadgetry of it all is fun as well.

 

[Auquanut]

I have to agree with everything mentioned above. But for some reason, it's just more. My fish are definitely pets. Friends. I just had a conversation with Boris (flame hawk). He's always more attentive before dinner time. Go figure.

I think that the fact that all of the inhabitants of my reef (fish, inverts, corals) are nearly as dependent on me as I am of them just makes the whole experience more real. If that makes any sense. It really is not just a hobby, but a significant part of a reefer's life.