How long do you think you'll keep a Saltwater Reef Aquarium? Be honest...

[Nano_Man]

Probably until I forget to breathe anymore
And when that happens ashes thrown into a Rock pool that’s my wishes. So hopefully for another 30 years then I will be 82 . The only thing I can see stopping me if I get dementia that runs in the family so for now let’s keep Reefiing

 

[mfinn]

Are you a Reefer for Life or what?!

Be honest! How long do you think you'll keep a Saltwater Reef Aquarium?

Interesting question.
I'm sure my wife wonders too.
I've had a saltwater tank since 1983, almost continuously.
My thoughts were, in the couple years before I retired ( 2014) I would downsize to a smaller tank maybe in the 100 gallon range. But those plans never happened. In fact, my 240 at the time, developed a leak and I bought a new custom 240. Then a couple years later I bought a new " computer room" 66 gallon tank.
So now I am going to be 72 in a couple months and I wonder what the future holds.
Am I going to sell off everything before the end comes, or will I leave it up to my wife ( if she outlives me) to find buyers.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Until I physically or financially can not care for one anymore

 

[Mickey]

Until I can't do it anymore and can't afford to pay someone to help me. Have had a freshwater tank for almost 50 years. Started with small saltwater reef in 2000, upgraded to my current tank in 2004 and I've made it as automated as I can so my hubby and I could travel after we retired. Been retired now for almost 6 years and take multiple 2-3 week trips per year plus 6 weeks in FL in the winter and tank does fine without me. I do worry some about it but check on it every day via cameras on the tank and sump and my Apex.

 

[Saltynewby]

I didn't start saltwater until I retired. It's therapy, rewarding, relaxing, and definitely keeps me busy. I'll be doing this until I can't, which I hope is a while down the road.

 

[McPuff]

I've had fish tanks for about 35 years. My current tank is nearing 20 years (moved from one glass/acrylic box to another). I don't see an end in sight and there are few things that would cause me to stop keeping a tank altogether. Switching back to fish only would be the next logical step in terms of reducing the work load. I like fish more than coral anyway.

 

[Joe.D]

Until I retire and travel. If that ever happens...

Same for me. I’m 2 years into my reefing journey. I hope to retire in about 5 years. Plan on spending winters some place not cold. Can’t see either of my kids maintaining while I’m gone, too expensive to pay someone to do it. We’ll see what happens at that point.

 

[Dmax]

 

[BZOFIQ]

Definitely past the time its banned.

 

[astrobuckeye]

I have a feeling if I had an outbreak that wiped out my fish I'd have a hard time restarting. Hopefully I can avoid that.

 

[AlyciaMarie]

Forever, and ever, and ever.

 

[merkmerk73]

I'm over 18 months into the hobby and I have kept up with it and stayed on top of it.

Yeah I might let my weekly water changes go to 10 days instead of every 7 days, but I think I have it down.

 

[marcus aurelius]

Well I’m pretty much committed. I am close to upgrading my tank in my house from a 125 to a 180.
Then I’m turning my detached garage into a sweet man cave with my new 300 gallon. With a hidden fish room.

 

[thresher]

Retired for medical reasons. Need to keep moving thus I'm using this hobby as part of my physical therapy.
Therefor reefing = life
At least for me...lol

 

[-XENOMORPH-]

Hmmmm. If I cant move a 5 gallon water bucket...... then I say... set up an auto water changer!