How do you stay motivated?

[MakeSomeWaffles]

Hey friends,

I’ve been in the hobby for years and most of the time it’s one of the best things in my life.

Recently my girl and I broke up after years together and I’ve found it so hard to give my tank any attention or think about it. I have a 100G so it’s not that much work. Just the occasional glass scrape, fish feeding and filling up my doser vials, ATO etc.

how do you stay motivated during tough or traumatic times? I thought this would be a refuge for me during a time like this not something I avoided…

 

[fish farmer]

Hey friends,

I’ve been in the hobby for years and most of the time it’s one of the best things in my life.

Recently my girl and I broke up after years together and I’ve found it so hard to give my tank any attention or think about it. I have a 100G so it’s not that much work. Just the occasional glass scrape, fish feeding and filling up my doser vials, ATO etc.

how do you stay motivated during tough or traumatic times? I thought this would be a refuge for me during a time like this not something I avoided…

Find something that you like about your tank and think about that....like the coral that is doing well or the fish that need your care, GIVE to your tank.

Is it time to buy a new coral or fish? Maybe do some needed maintenance? I remember when I had an abrupt short term breakup, I did a lot of work around my house.....I actually HAD the time then.

Good luck!

 

[Fish Think Pink]

Hey friends,

I’ve been in the hobby for years and most of the time it’s one of the best things in my life.

Recently my girl and I broke up after years together and I’ve found it so hard to give my tank any attention or think about it. I have a 100G so it’s not that much work. Just the occasional glass scrape, fish feeding and filling up my doser vials, ATO etc.

how do you stay motivated during tough or traumatic times? I thought this would be a refuge for me during a time like this not something I avoided…

Agree with @fish farmer it should be time for a new coral or fish... something that is YOURS alone... not only is your heart hurting which likely makes everything harder to do right now, even get out of bed, shower (am I right?) but you also have shared memories of being with your aquarium. You might even consider a new comfy chair to sit in to watch your aquarium.

It could be worse... in the late 80s or early 90s, after I'd introduced my then BF to aquariums, we sold all "our" aquariums and fish - many to someone he met at the local fish store. This was because after living in a shared house, we were moving into an apartment together, next big step. Instead the following next big step was he left me for the person who got a lot of our things, including my flame angel.

It took me years to come back to aquariums after my broken heart, but I've been back 2 years in the hobby.

HANG IN THERE.

 

[gpd124]

Now that life has changed, find a new routine and incorporate the tank in some way.

As an example, I get up at 4 or 5 am each day (I have 4 kids). I spend the first hour getting ready for the day (schedule, email, etc). After that, I spend an hour or so doing small tasks with the tanks (while enjoying coffee and listening to music). At the end of all this, I think about what has been accomplished and how it has been a strong start to the day.

 

[MakeSomeWaffles]

Agree with @fish farmer it should be time for a new coral or fish... something that is YOURS alone... not only is your heart hurting which likely makes everything harder to do right now, even get out of bed, shower (am I right?) but you also have shared memories of being with your aquarium. You might even consider a new comfy chair to sit in to watch your aquarium.

It could be worse... in the late 80s or early 90s, after I'd introduced my then BF to aquariums, we sold all "our" aquariums and fish - many to someone he met at the local fish store. This was because after living in a shared house, we were moving into an apartment together, next big step. Instead the following next big step was he left me for the person who got a lot of our things, including my flame angel.

It took me years to come back to aquariums after my broken heart, but I've been back 2 years in the hobby.

HANG IN THERE.

Thanks. I think I just had the breakup blues tbh - took that advice to heart and got some new fish and a bunch of awesome new corals.

I may be hurting but at least my tank looks great

 

[Fish Think Pink]

This might help you find people local to you in Los Angeles:

Local Reef Club Discussion

Looking for some locals to share frags and info with? This is the place! Find a local club that meets in your area! If you want to add your club just contact us.

www.reef2reef.com

This is a good reference book type online article I still review:

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

This article was sponsored by @MarineDepot at www.marinedepot.com. Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is no...

www.reef2reef.com

Have you considered starting your build thread? With your cutie new fish and corals, now might be the ideal time to start your build thread. I found its a great place to document my tank's evolution for myself. I started tank first then joined, so I'm still finding myself going back collecting pictures & updating historically as well as current state. Once you create your first post in your thread and link it to your account, they will give you build badge (look left, under my ID)

This is the info and links they gave me when I was new:

One fun way to learn from others and keep a record of your reef aquarium is to create your very own build thread! A build thread is just a thread that tells us about your aquarium and might include photos. You can create your build thread in one of these forums. MEMBER'S AQUARIUMS

Once you have created a build thread then you can get your VERY FIRST USER BADGE! YAY! It's easy to do and I have created a thread that tells you how to do it here: BUILD THREAD BADGE

 

[MakeSomeWaffles]

This might help you find people local to you in Los Angeles:

Local Reef Club Discussion

Looking for some locals to share frags and info with? This is the place! Find a local club that meets in your area! If you want to add your club just contact us.

www.reef2reef.com

This is a good reference book type online article I still review:

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

This article was sponsored by @MarineDepot at www.marinedepot.com. Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is no...

www.reef2reef.com

Have you considered starting your build thread? With your cutie new fish and corals, now might be the ideal time to start your build thread. I found its a great place to document my tank's evolution for myself. I started tank first then joined, so I'm still finding myself going back collecting pictures & updating historically as well as current state. Once you create your first post in your thread and link it to your account, they will give you build badge (look left, under my ID)

This is the info and links they gave me when I was new:

One fun way to learn from others and keep a record of your reef aquarium is to create your very own build thread! A build thread is just a thread that tells us about your aquarium and might include photos. You can create your build thread in one of these forums. MEMBER'S AQUARIUMS

Once you have created a build thread then you can get your VERY FIRST USER BADGE! YAY! It's easy to do and I have created a thread that tells you how to do it here: BUILD THREAD BADGE

Wow thanks so much! I’ll definitely start a build thread. No better time for it!

 

[JZ199]

I'm gonna agree with everyone else mostly said, aside from looking for some local reefer... change things up with your tank.

That always gets me excited on back into it, it's like starting the hobby all over again, get some new corals, a new fish, re arrange some things or look into some new equipment. If funds allow it you can always look into starting a new tank ,even if its a little nano desktop! The build and setup is always my favorite part

 

[damsels are not mean]

I acknowledge that I cannot always stay motivated to care for the tank and design it so as to require very little maintenance.