Why I Choose to Keep a Reef

[Evan West]

Im often asked why? Why, do I keep a reef tank with all the money, time, and effort it needs? Every time im asked this I simply answer because I like it, but is that really it? No, to me its much more but most people don't care to know this. Sure the fish and coral are pretty but that alone is not the answer. Keeping a reef allows me to see creatures that are alien to most every single day, to see them grow and thrive. It allows me to see the joy on peoples faces as they see fish and coral in a way that diving in the ocean does not afford you, they gaze initially at the fish and coral and then they see the snails and crabs but then if they look long enough they notice something special. They notice everything is alive, the rocks are covered with fan worms, microfawna, critters and coralline and its all alive! It allows me to tech others about fish keeping as they ask "how?" In wonderment, but its more than even this. In my room I am keeping alive an entire ecosystem, it is my sole responsibility if this ecosystem thrives or dies and thats a scarry thought but my my is it rewarding. It is a constant challenge and I feel as though I can never learn enough about it, my knowledge is but a drop in a bucket in an entire ocean of information. But at the end of the day once all the shock and awe of friends and family is over, once my brain has begun to shut down and I am no longer actively seeking knowledge, and all have left, it is just me and the tank. I sit in front of it staring, alone, and I forget about the world and my problems. All that exists in those moments is the tank and even with all my understanding and knowledge I am still shocked by it every single time, and to me it is this reason along with all the others that describes the true essence of why.

I wanted to share this with the community as some of you might connect with this. Feel free to comment!

 

[Antics]

I feel as though I'm on the other side! I like to keep a reef because its expensive, frequently annoying, and time consuming.

Just like me

 

[PJS]

Im often asked why? Why, do I keep a reef tank with all the money, time, and effort it needs? Every time im asked this I simply answer because I like it, but is that really it? No, to me its much more but most people don't care to know this. Sure the fish and coral are pretty but that alone is not the answer. Keeping a reef allows me to see creatures that are alien to most every single day, to see them grow and thrive. It allows me to see the joy on peoples faces as they see fish and coral in a way that diving in the ocean does not afford you, they gaze initially at the fish and coral and then they see the snails and crabs but then if they look long enough they notice something special. They notice everything is alive, the rocks are covered with fan worms, microfawna, critters and coralline and its all alive! It allows me to tech others about fish keeping as they ask "how?" In wonderment, but its more than even this. In my room I am keeping alive an entire ecosystem, it is my sole responsibility if this ecosystem thrives or dies and thats a scarry thought but my my is it rewarding. It is a constant challenge and I feel as though I can never learn enough about it, my knowledge is but a drop in a bucket in an entire ocean of information. But at the end of the day once all the shock and awe of friends and family is over, once my brain has begun to shut down and I am no longer actively seeking knowledge, and all have left, it is just me and the tank. I sit in front of it staring, alone, and I forget about the world and my problems. All that exists in those moments is the tank and even with all my understanding and knowledge I am still shocked by it every single time, and to me it is this reason along with all the others that describes the true essence of why.

I wanted to share this with the community as some of you might connect with this. Feel free to comment!

Poetically put, very nice.

 

[Kswish74]

Bam! I 100% agree with you!

 

[Diesel]

That's the bright side of the hobby!

 

[Ljaus]

100% how I feel about the hobby as well. I do it for the love of the ocean and I take pride in keeping a slice of that ocean in my living room. I find it so relaxing and totally worth every bit of effort you put into it, the rewards far outweigh the work.

 

[Evan West]

Poetically put, very nice.

Thank you!

That's the bright side of the hobby!

Exactly and that is why we all do it.

 

[ngvu1]

Now that is beautiful. May I ask how long have you been in this hobby? ('cause that sounds just like me 5 years ago...no joke )

If you ask me "why" now, I would say because I am addicted to it!

Im often asked why? Why, do I keep a reef tank with all the money, time, and effort it needs? Every time im asked this I simply answer because I like it, but is that really it? No, to me its much more but most people don't care to know this. Sure the fish and coral are pretty but that alone is not the answer. Keeping a reef allows me to see creatures that are alien to most every single day, to see them grow and thrive. It allows me to see the joy on peoples faces as they see fish and coral in a way that diving in the ocean does not afford you, they gaze initially at the fish and coral and then they see the snails and crabs but then if they look long enough they notice something special. They notice everything is alive, the rocks are covered with fan worms, microfawna, critters and coralline and its all alive! It allows me to tech others about fish keeping as they ask "how?" In wonderment, but its more than even this. In my room I am keeping alive an entire ecosystem, it is my sole responsibility if this ecosystem thrives or dies and thats a scarry thought but my my is it rewarding. It is a constant challenge and I feel as though I can never learn enough about it, my knowledge is but a drop in a bucket in an entire ocean of information. But at the end of the day once all the shock and awe of friends and family is over, once my brain has begun to shut down and I am no longer actively seeking knowledge, and all have left, it is just me and the tank. I sit in front of it staring, alone, and I forget about the world and my problems. All that exists in those moments is the tank and even with all my understanding and knowledge I am still shocked by it every single time, and to me it is this reason along with all the others that describes the true essence of why.

I wanted to share this with the community as some of you might connect with this. Feel free to comment!

 

[atoll]

Apart from that already mentioned it's a challenge and there is always something new to learn. There is a feeling of satisfaction and pride in what you have created which not only involves just about all the sciences but is a piece of living, thriving art..

 

[Antics]

Apart from that already mentioned it's a challenge and there is always something new to learn. There is a feeling of satisfaction and pride in what you have created which not only involves just about all the sciences but is a piece of living, thriving art..

There is also a green thumb aspect to it. I think a lot of people in this hobby try to follow the advice of others and really try hard to be successful. It's not uncommon for them to struggle to grow coral, or keep fish alive, etc.

I don't think there is a scientific basis or justification for this perception, but I think the concept certainly exists in this hobby. Because of that, there is the additional challenge/pride/joy of obtaining success however you define that.

 

[tripdad]

Nicely said, keep that mindset no matter what this hobby/obsession throws at you.

 

[atoll]

There is also a green thumb aspect to it. I think a lot of people in this hobby try to follow the advice of others and really try hard to be successful. It's not uncommon for them to struggle to grow coral, or keep fish alive, etc.

I don't think there is a scientific basis or justification for this perception, but I think the concept certainly exists in this hobby. Because of that, there is the additional challenge/pride/joy of obtaining success however you define that.

Have no doubt there is a lot of the sciences in reefkeeping, from testing with test kits and the use of various chemicals (salt if you lie being one) as in chemistry to biology of corals and fish along the physics of lighting and water movement. etc, etc. I don't tend to go along with the green thumb theory's but there is often an element of luck at times.

 

[Evan West]

Now that is beautiful. May I ask how long have you been in this hobby? ('cause that sounds just like me 5 years ago...no joke )

If you ask me "why" now, I would say because I am addicted to it!

Been keeping fish for about 3 years now but only 3 months in salt. I have a build thred below if you wanna check out my tank! A lot has changed tho so I will update it soon, been busy with school!

 

[CrystalD]

I like keeping my reef tank for similar reasons as everyone else, in addition to that I can't swim. I have always loved saltwater fish so I decided to bring the ocean fish to me. It's an Awesome responsibility, that I enjoy immensely.

 

[mdlc805]

I keep a reef because it reminds me of my childhood. All the times me and my big brother would work on his cars and then take a drive down the pch and go to a fish store. I'll always remember the nano aio they had at the counter. Also totally agree when all is said and don't just sitting looking at my tank helps relieve stress and forget about the world in the most awesome way. Thanks for sharing

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Inspirational post! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Elementalj]

I feel as though I'm on the other side! I like to keep a reef because its expensive, frequently annoying, and time consuming.

Just like me

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