I’m Leaving The Hobby

vetteguy53081 · Aug 15, 2020

Sorry to hear Anyone go no matter what the circumstance.
This hobby is worth it in the long run and can be challenging to the most experience right to the novice.
If I calculated my losses in the last 32 years, I could by a fully stocked 1200 gallon tank but i'm still here.

Casket_Case · Aug 15, 2020

vetteguy53081 said:
Sorry to hear Anyone go no matter what the circumstance.
This hobby is worth it in the long run and can be challenging to the most experience right to the novice.
If I calculated my losses in the last 32 years, I could by a fully stocked 1200 gallon tank but i'm still here.

Which I totally get, but the bad outweighs the good and these fish and coral give me nothing back. If it’s become such a vacuum I think it’s better I go without. Every cent I get goes to that tank and I’m tired of it being a one way ticket. I’ve been in the hobby for almost two years and it’s making me weary.

Rjukan · Aug 15, 2020

Hey, I think you're making a smart decision. Don't be down about it, IMO this hobby isn't cut out for teenagers unless their parents are taking an active roll with spending on equipment and lending a hand with maintaining the tank. You have a lot of more important things going on in your life for the next 7 years that need your full attention.

Also this experience won't be wasted either, you will have the knowledge you gained from this time with the tank that you will apply to the next setup when you're done with higher learning and have the means and time to invest in it.

One thing I would suggest is try not to sell everything if you can. Think about the equipment you won't get much back for, or the things you really like and try to store those for the future. Will be nice to have a few things around that will jog your memory of this time with the tank, and it just feels good finding old equip that you can put back in use. Good luck with mortuary school, a close friend of mine did the same thing and he has been very successful.

Cell · Aug 15, 2020

I cannot imagine trying to support this hobby without a full time job. Heck, it's hard to support this hobby sometimes WITH a full time job. Don't be hard on yourself and hopefully you are able to return to reefing at a later time in your life! Take care!

WVNed · Aug 15, 2020

There is no point putting a tax on yourself. Go find something that makes you happy and do it. No need to apologize.

Ulm_nano_diybudgetreef · Aug 15, 2020

Frigus Reef said:
Which I totally get, but the bad outweighs the good and these fish and coral give me nothing back. If it’s become such a vacuum I think it’s better I go without. Every cent I get goes to that tank and I’m tired of it being a one way ticket. I’ve been in the hobby for almost two years and it’s making me weary.

#allmymoneygoestocorals unfortunately that's the nature of this beast.

Do what feels right to you. The hobby is not going to vanish, so you can always take it up again later should you wish.

snorklr · Aug 15, 2020

i cant even imagine trying to setup a reef tank at 16 with the current costs of everything....my first attempts at saltwater were a little younger than you...a free plastic 10 gallon, spare hob filter off freshwater tank...natural sea water and baitfish out of the canal behind my house...so basically zero investment...50 years later i still cant afford to do this right....sometimes i think this is more of an addiction than a hobby...switch over to fresh water its a LOT less demanding...and a reef tank isnt really something you want to leave in the care of a clueless parent if you leave for college for 4 (or more) years....my buddy's moms red ear slider lived for 45 years so be aware that a turtle is a long term commitment...and you really need to clean the tank every week even with a filter...and they should be in at least a 75 as a female will get dang near a foot long in 5 yrs

halfmoon61 · Aug 15, 2020

I started around that age, 30 gal long, still have the tank. Find a local club, go to some frag swaps, there is always an "old salt" that is willing to help out. Maybe some used equipment or could just be knowledge. I know 40 yrs later I'm staring at a tank as I type this.

Rickybobby · Aug 15, 2020

Maybe some more research. I had a green hair algae outbreak. First I bought a ton of snails. They at it all in a week. I was amazed. Then I reasearched parameters and that helped. I lost a hippo tang years ago. Very hard to keep imo especially for newer hobbyists. I wouldn’t give up. My first tank back in the game this year got velvet and I lost all my fish. I learned the hard way but now I’m stronger than ever doing things right

Bob Weigant · Aug 15, 2020

Been in this position many times over the years

old salt reefer · Aug 15, 2020

Frigus Reef said:
Nah, it’s over. For now I’m done. I give all my cash and get nothing in return. I think it’s time I get rid of it all and save up for a car then mortuary school as those things are far more important and necessary. Maybe I’ll get a turtle or some simple pet instead.

Don't get a turtle. I've got a Red Eared slider that I've had for 25 years. Don't get a bird either. I've got a Dusky Headed conure that I've had for 28 years.

Art2249 · Aug 15, 2020

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Hopefully you can have better luck next time when you can afford the equipment that you need. my only advice is you might want to re-think that mortuary school. You're gonna wind up working with some very boring people.

Casket_Case · Aug 15, 2020

Rjukan said:
Hey, I think you're making a smart decision. Don't be down about it, IMO this hobby isn't cut out for teenagers unless their parents are taking an active roll with spending on equipment and lending a hand with maintaining the tank. You have a lot of more important things going on in your life for the next 7 years that need your full attention.

Also this experience won't be wasted either, you will have the knowledge you gained from this time with the tank that you will apply to the next setup when you're done with higher learning and have the means and time to invest in it.

One thing I would suggest is try not to sell everything if you can. Think about the equipment you won't get much back for, or the things you really like and try to store those for the future. Will be nice to have a few things around that will jog your memory of this time with the tank, and it just feels good finding old equip that you can put back in use. Good luck with mortuary school, a close friend of mine did the same thing and he has been very successful.

Thank you, I really appreciate it

Casket_Case · Aug 15, 2020

Cell said:
I cannot imagine trying to support this hobby without a full time job. Heck, it's hard to support this hobby sometimes WITH a full time job. Don't be hard on yourself and hopefully you are able to return to reefing at a later time in your life! Take care!

Thank you!

Casket_Case · Aug 15, 2020

snorklr said:
i cant even imagine trying to setup a reef tank at 16 with the current costs of everything....my first attempts at saltwater were a little younger than you...a free plastic 10 gallon, spare hob filter off freshwater tank...natural sea water and baitfish out of the canal behind my house...so basically zero investment...50 years later i still cant afford to do this right....sometimes i think this is more of an addiction than a hobby...switch over to fresh water its a LOT less demanding...and a reef tank isnt really something you want to leave in the care of a clueless parent if you leave for college for 4 (or more) years....my buddy's moms red ear slider lived for 45 years so be aware that a turtle is a long term commitment...and you really need to clean the tank every week even with a filter...and they should be in at least a 75 as a female will get dang near a foot long in 5 yrs

I’ve kept a turtle before when I was younger and it did great. I know I could care for a turtle or tortoise MUCH easier than a reef aquarium. Plus a friend has a turtle they don’t want and it’ll be housed at school just it’ll be my job to care for. I’m thinking after I sell my coral and such (No idea how that’ll work) then I’ll make a vivarium for a turtle or tortoise in my forty gallon.

Casket_Case · Aug 15, 2020

snorklr said:
i cant even imagine trying to setup a reef tank at 16 with the current costs of everything....my first attempts at saltwater were a little younger than you...a free plastic 10 gallon, spare hob filter off freshwater tank...natural sea water and baitfish out of the canal behind my house...so basically zero investment...50 years later i still cant afford to do this right....sometimes i think this is more of an addiction than a hobby...switch over to fresh water its a LOT less demanding...and a reef tank isnt really something you want to leave in the care of a clueless parent if you leave for college for 4 (or more) years....my buddy's moms red ear slider lived for 45 years so be aware that a turtle is a long term commitment...and you really need to clean the tank every week even with a filter...and they should be in at least a 75 as a female will get dang near a foot long in 5 yrs

Thank you so much for the heads up though I really appreciate the care

Casket_Case · Aug 15, 2020

tnw50cal said:
Don't get a turtle. I've got a Red Eared slider that I've had for 25 years. Don't get a bird either. I've got a Dusky Headed conure that I've had for 28 years.

I’ve had both animals before, absolutely loved them, so much less time consuming.

Casket_Case · Aug 15, 2020

Art2249 said:
Sorry to hear about your troubles. Hopefully you can have better luck next time when you can afford the equipment that you need. my only advice is you might want to re-think that mortuary school. You're gonna wind up working with some very boring people.

I know what I want to do, and the Death Industry is it. And I personally disagree, the only boring people are the deceased, but even they teach a lot of things, especially things the living couldn’t teach you. Most of the people I’ve met in the Death Industry are far more interesting than everyday ones.