Why do you do it?

[TheOldSalt]

I honestly don't know why I do this anymore. It's not a hobby anymore. It's just something I do.
I don't mean to suggest that it's not fun anymore. It's just that after 48 years of doing this, it's just baked in to my personality, my self. It's just a part of me. I rarely feel any excitement when I set up a new tank anymore. It's just a thing I do for no apparent reason.
Weird.
The thing is, I can't imagine me ever not doing it.

 

[vetteguy53081]

1. Why do you think you were drawn to this hobby?

My love of the ocean from childhood watching Jacques Yves Cousteau

2. Does this hobby attract a specific type of person? If so who?

Some who is easily pursued ed by color and beauty of a mini ocean setting

3. What are some common traits that you think are innate in every reefer?

-Attraction to beauty
-imagination
- color
- a dream (seahorses , sharks and eels as an example)

 

[Seamore2001]

What an odd lists of choices.

Its not complicated; I was drawn to keeping reefs.

 

[rusty hannon]

I could check at least 4 of these, probably more.
1. I like a challenge.
2. I like the biology of it, if a pistol shrimp and gobie can get along we humans could learn a lot from the symbiotic relations in the ocean.
3. I like the technology and the some of the science behind keeping a reef tank.
4. I've wanted a saltwater tank since snorkling in Okinawa while in the Marines in 99. Active 93-99. At the time I had no idea it was even possible or who to even ask.

Thanks for sharing the stories for the beginning of r2r, and happy you guys did. Always been a loner outside of the family, and never learned to use a computer other than looking at things I had the wife or kids pull up for me, but now, thanks to you're efforts I'm working on on my computer skills, as well as human skills. Thanks

 

[Gravity]

Wow, so a hard to choose only two, pretty sure they all apply but my top two would be the biology and ocean life.

1. Why do you think you were drawn to this hobby?
I have kept freshwater fish and moss, among other things, as a kid. After going to college and working in the biology field it seemed like the perfect fit. I could apply my knowledge and still have a bunch of stuff to learn about.

2. Does this hobby attract a specific type of person? If so who?
I think the hobby is attractive to many types of people. It can be as simple or complicated , fast or slow paced as you like based on what you want to keep, spend and learn.

3. What are some common traits that you think are innate in every reefer?
I think the love of ocean life is a must, at least in the long run, along with a desire to gain knowledge.

 

[ID-Reefer]

Having a tiny piece of the ocean in my house... love the ocean and the fact that I can keep/grow coral is mesmerizing to me.

I also find it relaxing and a mental escape from work and the stresses of life.

 

[Clownfish_Boy]

Ain't no telling how many current SW people were influenced into starting their first SW aquarium by the movie Finding Nemo !

 

[MThorne]

It's like having a therapy session everytime I sit and watch the tanks. Might be a bit more expensive then therapy but worth every penny!

 

[Barks]

It’s a safe alternative to self harming...

 

[flyfisher2]

I love having a piece of the reef in my home. It's a constant source of enjoyment and relaxation.

Why do you do it?

There seems to be many reasons for getting into this hobby, some enjoy a challenge, some are eager to explore new adventures, some see monetary value, some see it as a status symbol, some get submerged in the biology of it, some for the technology and some simply want to enjoy a slice of the reef.

Regardless the subtle differences, it certainly seems that for most of us, this is our tribe, we feel a sense of belonging amongst one another, if you put a group of us in a room together, we will talk for hours about any subject reef related.

In order to be successful, we quickly develop a keen aptitude in many disciplines encompassing the hobby, I don’t know if that’s by coincidence or if there’s a correlation with our passion that seems to pull us in. This is exactly the kind of connection I’d like to explore. Rightfully so, reefing isn’t for everyone, so…

1. Why do you think you were drawn to this hobby?

2. Does this hobby attract a specific type of person? If so who?

3. What are some common traits that you think are innate in every reefer?


This QOTD comes to us from our good member @Sisterlimonpot. Thank you for the question!

There’s a desire to succeed . To be able to say I’m doing this and I’m doing it right. This is the result of my failures and successes. It has educated me and brought me this far. It has been challenging and rewarding.

 

[725196]

1. Why do you think you were drawn to this hobby?

I was drawn to the hobby because I love the ocean and always kept fresh water fish. I am not exactly sure where the decision to go saltwater was born, but I remember the day I pulled the trigger.

2. Does this hobby attract a specific type of person? If so who?

I see a lot of diversity in this hobby, but the one things I see in common is most people love to share about what they have/do with their tank. I think thats why build threads are so popular.

3. What are some common traits that you think are innate in every reefer?

I think ever, successful, reefer has ___ common traits:

Love of animals​

The desire to succeed​

A desire to be a part of a community with similar thought and goals​

A hobby that is interactive​

(And like most collector hobbies) the "chase" for something they dont have.​

​

For me, I love a challenge and I am an aquarium gear head. These two things keep me going in the hobby. However, the most important part to me is the memories I have from when I was a kid with fresh water. I enjoyed it so much and I get that feeling again every time I look at my reef tank today.

ENJOY THE HOBBY!

​

​

 

[Conchman]

As a land locked diver, it brings our travels closer. We have had the gift of travels to locations with either great snorkeling, diving or both. Combined with my love for all things water, it just has a way of keeping me grounded. I can’t really explain how I breathe differently, when I step in the ocean, to someone who has never been there, or does not feel the same...

 

[Buffalou]

It is a challenge and a continuous learning experience, I have meet some great folks so the comaradire is also important, but the most important reason for me is the blessing of seeing God's wonderful creation on display in my home. The ocean, coral, and fish is something that most people don't get to observe first hand. I have yet to have someone come in the house and just be in wow! We know how difficult at times it can be to maintain that wow!

 

[StormyVT]

After years of planted freshwater tanks saltwater was a new challenge. Only way I get to observe anything from the ocean since I don’t live anywhere near it.

 

[um_fan5]

For me...1000% for the love of the ocean!

In fact...I've made it clear to my love ones, if any happens to me to cremate and drop me in the ocean!

Told my wife...part of the life insurance check she gets, to pay for this https://www.nmreef.com/
Her reply..."Better yet, I'll scatter your ashes in your tank so you'll always be close to me"
My reaction

 

[KorD]

1. Why do you think you were drawn to this hobby?
I have always liked the critters in saltwater better than freshwater,

2. Does this hobby attract a specific type of person? If so who?
Not really, there are people of all walks of life in this hobby, but it does take a kind person to have the strength to keep it goin and know the certain care it takes

3. What are some common traits that you think are innate in every reefer?
I like to believe we all are sadistic and like to keep things in cages because we accidentally left the basement door open and our other victims escaped and we got into this hobby because fish don't have legs and can not run away on us.

 

[Bob Weigant]

Living in Calirfornia and being close to the ocean I always wanted a piece of it I can see everyday. It keeps me calm and pretty much everyone that comes over wants to see it and are captivated it. Not sure I'll do this much more when I get older as the cost are getting high.

 

[Soryu]

I voted other because coral reefs are beautiful and I get to have exotic pets you don't see every day.

 

[tricky_tran]

my family loves animals, especially my wife. it will help with the stress and get me away from my desk so I am not working 15+ hours a day. also, it will give me something to do while the wife is ignoring me for her TV shows.

 

[weamdog]

Picked 1 and 7, but I think subconsciously, I just love throwing money away.