Sad question that I have to ask...

OrionN · Jul 3, 2023

When I moved from Seattle to Corpus Christi I have to fire sale of the life stock. Pack only a few animals and boarded them at a friend tank in Houston. Moved, the set up my tank here at home. Went and get my few animals and bring them home.
There is no way you will get even 1/2 of what you spend on the animals and equipments.
Sell the animals first then part out your hardware. That is the best, in term of money recovered. A lot of time commitment however.

Bruce Burnett · Jul 4, 2023

Like people say, depends on how fast you want to sell. I had to sell my 280 gallon display and everything quick as I only had 3 weeks for escrow to close on house we sold. Got like $1200 for everything. When we got moved into our new home I swore I was going to stay out of hobby after 30 years of it. Now I have a 90 gallon display, got the urge again. I had moved the 280 gallon display 300 miles only 2 months after having open heart surgery. Could not do it this time as we lived in travel trailer for 9 months waiting on our new home to get finished. It is hard to stay out of hobby and I sold stuff I now wish I had kept.

KrisReef · Jul 4, 2023

jgvergo said:
It's been 7 years filled with fun, wonder, frustration, beauty, learning, satisfaction, sadness...the whole gamut of emotions. Most of it has been great, and this community has been integral to so much of my experience. Nevertheless, I must ask:

What's the best way to get out of the hobby? I have a fairly high end system (~100 gallon) and I'd like to get a fair price for my equipment and livestock. I realize most people here have not gone through the process of selling their systems, but perhaps some have and can offer advice. TIA!

The best way to get out of the hobby is to go pro. Buy a fishstore or a wholesale reefing supply and when you come home you will be ok without a tank in the house.

Fail Falling Down GIF by America's Funniest Home Videos

Happy Trails

00W · Jul 4, 2023

Best of luck to you and I completely understand and have been there a couple of times. Also been back in a couple times too.
Last time I got out I literally gave everything away.
I searched for awhile for the best home for my fish.
I found a wonderful woman with an awesome huge tank for them. That was all I really cared about.
The rest was just stuff . I sold it for next to nothing to a kid who really needed a break and I felt good about that.
When I started, I needed a break too.
Once again good luck.
Regards.
Joel

ClownSchool · Jul 4, 2023

jgvergo said:
It's been 7 years filled with fun, wonder, frustration, beauty, learning, satisfaction, sadness...the whole gamut of emotions. Most of it has been great, and this community has been integral to so much of my experience. Nevertheless, I must ask:

What's the best way to get out of the hobby? I have a fairly high end system (~100 gallon) and I'd like to get a fair price for my equipment and livestock. I realize most people here have not gone through the process of selling their systems, but perhaps some have and can offer advice. TIA!

Had the same problem at the end 2022, when I was bedridden for almost two months.
I gave up hope on maintaining my system, so I placed an add in local Facebook with full inventory of everything, per piece, priced, and the weekend it would be ready.
My house had cars throughout the weekend, I got asking prices for almost everything, and the deals I gave was in exchange for help on stages of the breakdown. It was a big success.
I had a few pieces at the end.
Choosing between the LFS or starting over smaller, I chose to start over and I’m glad I did.
Good luck!
Hint: anything alive has to be advertised as ‘fake’, but if you include a picture everyone will know what they’re getting.

Costareefer · Jul 7, 2023

Whenever I get out? The fish pull me back in.

Pntbll687 · Jul 7, 2023

To get the most money back, you'll need to part out the equipment, and be willing to ship. Facebook makes things easier to reach allot of people.

The tank is going to be the hardest to move. If you want it gone ASAP, go low, $150 just to get it out the door.

Pricing varies widely in my area. Somewhere around 50% of what you paid for an item is usually what gets things to move. There's people trying to sell "mp60, used 1 month at 30%" for $675 around me. That's not a deal and will never move. When selling used equipment you have to realize, the buyer is taking 100% of the risk. You may have only used a pump or equipment for a month, but the buyer gets 0 warranty and 0 support from the manufacturer, even though it may still be inside the warranty period. The price of the equipment should make it worth while to take that risk.

I didn't leave the hobby, but when I upgraded tanks, I sold my 190g DSA for $150. I got someone the same day I posted it to come and get it.