Poll: So is 60 too old to get back in the hobby?

Kit_Kat · Jul 10, 2018

I’m 63 and have had freshwater tanks all my life. In December I started my first saltwater tank. I have problems getting up and down when cleaning everything in the sump. I have a small stool next to my tanks that I use to get up. When I can’t get up then I’ll have a problem.

terri_ann · Jul 11, 2018

65.5 yrs. IMHO, age has nothing to do with the hobby. I have approx 300g and recently downsized, have a SW business which I do all by myself, a spouse, kids, grandkids, a mom & dad who are in their 80 & 90's. The biggest question I ask is " Can I do the best for the fish, corals, etc. As I do for my customers, myself, my spouse, family and grandkids?" As long as I can answer "yes" to each, I will continue on!

Patientman · Jul 11, 2018

Will be 62 in August ... isn't modern medicine wonderful!

Doing things with the hobby ... as pretty much all things now... trying to "work smarter ... not harder"! Advances/technologies do assist us in our endeavors to replicate nature ... some things just can't be performed other that a purely physical efforts ... but as long as I can ... I know I will find the pleasures of enjoying my aquarium worth the efforts! AND... I truly believe the calming effect of simply watching my aquarium calms and relaxes me ... thusly enhancing my life and making it easier to keep on keeping on! Rx: take a healthy dose of saltwater hobby and enjoy!

Walts O · Jul 11, 2018

60 is great age never too old

Royce White · Jul 12, 2018

I was 76 when I started with a 55 gal. fresh water tank, a tank left on the side of the road for trash pick up, ran fresh for two years was never satisfied changed to salt 3 years ago, 75 gal. I have learned that you never have to stop learning, am now 81.

Philt56 · Jul 14, 2018

I’m 62, got a new reefer 425xl to replace an older 65 acrylic tank that was overrun with coralline alga3 and gsp. Been in the same house over 30 years. I wonder how much longer I’ll be here and what to do if I need to move the tank.

Biggest problem is finding someone to take care if I go on vacation. Luckily I’m not a big traveler.

Flippers4pups · Jul 14, 2018

At 54 and salty since 93, I couldn't even imagine not having a tank.

"Once the salt gets in your blood, it never leaves!"

Always learning in this fascinating hobby. Keeps me young and turns the wheels in my head.

mike werner · Jul 14, 2018

so it's seems like i'm the young guy in this old guy club but still not as fresh as crabs,fudsey the caveman and some others.i turned 54 today and have had saltwater tanks sense I was 13.
I could not imagine life without one.i really do think it's amazing you have decided to take up this hobby at this point and time in your life.i feel like I just said your old.sorry about that but that doesn't make it less cool.
i'm kinda of wondering how many of us "old guys" use an apex or some other type of "smart controller"?i'm not that guy sense I only use one setting on the microwave and am not allowed to use the washer and dryier cause it's "smarter than me" so i'm told.i also started developing "old gut patients" so it's best if I pass on that till I have some grand kids to show pop pop how easy it is.
best of luck with your new found love and please keep us posted on your success and failures.yes that's one thing in this hobby that has not changed and never will.thank the good lord for r2r to help keep these to a minimum.

NY_Caveman · Jul 14, 2018

mike werner said:
so it's seems like i'm the young guy in this old guy club but still not as fresh as crabs,fudsey the caveman and some others.i turned 54 today and have had saltwater tanks sense I was 13.
I could not imagine life without one.i really do think it's amazing you have decided to take up this hobby at this point and time in your life.i feel like I just said your old.sorry about that but that doesn't make it less cool.
i'm kinda of wondering how many of us "old guys" use an apex or some other type of "smart controller"?i'm not that guy sense I only use one setting on the microwave and am not allowed to use the washer and dryier cause it's "smarter than me" so i'm told.i also started developing "old gut patients" so it's best if I pass on that till I have some grand kids to show pop pop how easy it is.
best of luck with your new found love and please keep us posted on your success and failures.yes that's one thing in this hobby that has not changed and never will.thank the good lord for r2r to help keep these to a minimum.

Well said.

johnthehermit · Jul 14, 2018

I started keeping freshwater tropicals when I was about 10 years old. I had my first fish only marine tank when I was 17 but after a few years love, marriage and children took over. Started a reef tank about 25 years ago but a few years later got into rebuilding classic british motorcycles and also got through a couple of Harleys. Arthritis eventually put paid to that and I started my current tank 2 years ago and I've just started adding some frags. I'm retired now and the technicalities of maintaining my tank help to keep my mind active as I learn all the new methods of looking after my tank. My German Shepherd helps to keep my body active, the tank keeps my mind active and my grandchildren wear me out and occasionally test my patience

I'm 69 now and have no idea how I found the time to go to work.

John

tony'stank · Jul 14, 2018

I’m 71 years old. I have been keeping fish since I was 12 years old. I have been into saltwater and reefs since 1982. I had a one year gap while we lived in an apartment. I started up my reef again when I was 68 years old. At my age you do have to make accommodations. With water changes I use rolling brute containers rather than hauling buckets. I am currently experimenting with the Triton system to avoid simplify my reefkeeping. One of the major challenges at my age is keeping up with the thechnology. I have avoided lighting systems and controllers that require programming skills. I a big benefit of having a reef at a senior age is finally having the time and resources to devote to the tank

revhtree · Jul 14, 2018

This is one awesome thread! Makes me feel great to have all this “wisdom” here at R2R whether in the hobby or at life!

Thank you!

Anthony1958 · Jul 14, 2018

3 months away from 60, restarting (just finished cycle) from Hurricane Harvey. So hope 60 is a good age to start. Your set up is awesome.

ROD SCOTT · Jul 14, 2018

STARTED CARING FOR FISH AT 9 OR 10 BY 14 WAS BUILDING TANKS/TERRARIUMS OUT OF OLD WINDOWS AND BOX TV'S. LANDED IN A WHEELCHAIR IN 77 ORDERED MY FIRST SALT TANK FROM OCEANIC 135 GAL IN 85. BOUGHT A FARM AND BUILT AN ECO RESORT IN BELIZE AND HAVE JUST ADD A 240 GAL AT 58 CAUSE SOME FISH/CORALS LOVE SPACE. HOW OLD IS TO OLD? I ONLY KNOW IF YOU STOP MOVING THEY WILL PUT A FIN/TOE TAG ON YOU

Ferrell · Jul 15, 2018

56 and just jumped back in a year ago. Wheels work great on buckets and water barrels.
Welcome to R2R. Great group

reef lover · Jul 15, 2018

Welcome to r2r!!

Adele · Jul 15, 2018

46 here but sometimes feel older after doing a water change with jugs, buckets, trash cans.

One thing that is interesting on these comments is I had assumed the ages of some of my fellow Reefers and lo it was the exact opposite of what I’d assumed.
I would now like to see a poll on the ages for the entire forum.
I think it’s great you are getting back into it. I know just a few years downtime in between set up’s, there were HUGE advancements in technology so I can imagine how excited you are after being out a few decades.
Welcome Back!

BestMomEver · Jul 15, 2018

We got out for 10 years and just got back in. I’ve missed it so much. I love hearing bubbles in my living room! When I say things like, “I only want a 20 gallon freshwater tank” my hubby just says “whatever.” He knows me well after all these years!

Btw.... your tank is great. I have the exact same tank and stand and I love it. I wish you’d come build me a rolling shelf!

I also have to ask.... your user name is bamabuff. Are you in the the same great state as I am? I’m in Mobile.

64Ivy · Jul 15, 2018

Gave this question a bit of thought since I am currently 63 and unless someone talks me out of it, I 'm soon to embark on a major custom build that'll probably take me close to 70. But I figure it's either that or TV and I'm waaaaay too old for TV.