What’s The Average Time A New Reefer Stays In The Hobby?

[Reefer Matt]

Next question: How many months of reef keeping experience does the person answering your random question on reef2reef have under their belt lol?

That’s a good point too. Many Reefers probably feel I shouldn’t participate so much either, as I only have seven years total experience myself. But I still encourage everyone to do so regardless. I think even a 20 year reefing vet can learn from a newbie sometimes. It all depends on our individual experiences, imo.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Easy, watch the forum churn. You'll figure it out.

A few years max, then the next new shiny thing comes in.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Easy, watch the forum churn. You'll figure it out.

A few years max, then the next new shiny thing comes in.

Yeah, reading old threads I’ve noticed a lot of covid period Reefers that are no longer on the forum. I’m not sure if that correlates to them quitting though. But probably so.

 

[RichReef]

In my experience with others around me including friends it's about 3 years. A single friend and I are at 11 years. We started together and we pretty much do the same things. I did okay the first 5 years but it wasn't until year 5 that I really truly understood my system. Understood it in a way I was able to react to tings that were happening. I really found my groove. The schedule. The products I like to use. Things like that.

It's like any other hobby. People try it and either they like it or not. Everyone loves what a reef tank looks like but you either have it or you don't.

You MUST enjoy the challenge to stay in the hobby.

 

[blecki]

Yeah, reading old threads I’ve noticed a lot of covid period Reefers that are no longer on the forum. I’m not sure if that correlates to them quitting though. But probably so.

Counter argument... my R2R account is like 2 years old but I've had a reef for > 10 years and have pining over them for > 35 years. What actually happened in my case was my local club just kind of evaporated during covid and is gone now.

 

[stewy14]

it really depends, on age and other factors
as im a teen, going into college in 3 years
I am going to have to "quit", im still gonna stay active, ordering corals, annoying people on here....... wait who said that???
talking too much...(sorry)
it depends on work, cost, home life, mental life
a lot of things!
I would say ranging from anywhere!!!

 

[Reefer Matt]

Counter argument... my R2R account is like 2 years old but I've had a reef for > 10 years and have pining over them for > 35 years. What actually happened in my case was my local club just kind of evaporated during covid and is gone now.

Oh no doubt and no argument here my friend! I also know a lot of experienced Reefers on fb, but they rarely come on here. Maybe it’s a Michigan thing? Lol. And like you, there are many seasoned Reefers that joined R2R recently, yet some may assume they are new to reefing because of that. And then there’s the badge thing.

 

[Jasonak]

Ive had saltwater tanks off and on for 30 years and for the last 20 years have had continuous saltwater setup.
I was out of forums for many years and was normally just a lurker anyway.
Would only post when I was in trouble or needed help with something.
Im guessing allot of people are that way only posting coming to the forums when they need help with something.
Having friends that have came and went from the hobby seems like 3-5 years for some of them. I have a few that are going strong 10 years later.

 

[AlyciaMarie]

I voted 5-10, but I think I changed my mind to 1-5, but more in the 2-ish-year range. That first year is one of the best parts of the whole journey, in my opinion. You're planning your build, looking for tanks, and learning all kinds of new things. Then, the time rolls around for you to start your cycle and eventually add livestock. Once everything is added, you get to enjoy your beautiful tank for a little while before the sand starts hitting the fan...Ugly stage, param swings, seemingly happy coral turn sour, and so on. I'm speaking of my own personal experience, of course. It was the two-year mark when I would have thrown in the towel had it not been for the help and encouragement I've found within our community! Things are looking up now.

 

[Ironic_Water]

I almost quit nearly a year in because I felt overwhelmed by the tank. Turned out I had massive depression, got that treated, now I love my tank again.

I think what's going on in your personal life really affects your relationship with your tank that can burn you out of the hobby fast.

 

[Sump Crab]

That’s a good point too. Many Reefers probably feel I shouldn’t participate so much either, as I only have seven years total experience myself. But I still encourage everyone to do so regardless. I think even a 20 year reefing vet can learn from a newbie sometimes. It all depends on our individual experiences, imo.

Yes I definitely agree that anyone can offer great advice no matter the amount of experience they have. But unfortunately i see a ton of hobbyist just answering questions with cookie cutter answers they have read, without having any personal experience themselves. This type of advice can lead many down the wrong path IMO. It's one of the main reasons that I believe the hobby has gone so far away from real ocean liverock. Everyone and their mother says don't use real liverock due to "pests" when in reality pests almost only ever take over dry rock tanks lol. Once people have been in the hobby awhile, and have experience with both live and dry rock I would venture to say their opinion on the subject of Hitchhiker's vs ugly phase has changed.

 

[Jasonak]

Yes I definitely agree that anyone can offer great advice no matter the amount of experience they have. But unfortunately i see a ton of hobbyist just answering questions with cookie cutter answers they have read, without having any personal experience themselves. This type of advice can lead many down the wrong path IMO. It's one of the main reasons that I believe the hobby has gone so far away from real ocean liverock. Everyone and their mother says don't use real liverock due to "pests" when in reality pests almost only ever take over dry rock tanks lol. Once people have been in the hobby awhile, and have experience with both live and dry rock I would venture to say their opinion on the subject of Hitchhiker's vs ugly phase has changed.

When I post a question I try and remember to say please only reply if you have first hand experience.

Ive not heard that people no longer use live rock, that seem so backwards to me.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Yes I definitely agree that anyone can offer great advice no matter the amount of experience they have. But unfortunately i see a ton of hobbyist just answering questions with cookie cutter answers they have read, without having any personal experience themselves. This type of advice can lead many down the wrong path IMO. It's one of the main reasons that I believe the hobby has gone so far away from real ocean liverock. Everyone and their mother says don't use real liverock due to "pests" when in reality pests almost only ever take over dry rock tanks lol. Once people have been in the hobby awhile, and have experience with both live and dry rock I would venture to say their opinion on the subject of Hitchhiker's vs ugly phase has changed.

I like liverock and have had both. I think the cost is a limiting factor for a lot of people. I bought 30 lbs. for $350 for my first tank back in the hobby (a 36 gallon) because it’s what I remembered from the early 2000’s. I now use dry rock for new tanks though.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Counter argument... my R2R account is like 2 years old but I've had a reef for > 10 years and have pining over them for > 35 years. What actually happened in my case was my local club just kind of evaporated during covid and is gone now.

This, my acct is fairly new with r2r, been dabbling in the reefing game on my own since pre millennium. Been maintaining a reef (dads) since the mid 80's

 

[Sump Crab]

I like liverock and have had both. I think the cost is a limiting factor for a lot of people. I bought 30 lbs. for $350 for my first tank back in the hobby (a 36 gallon) because it’s what I remembered from the early 2000’s. I now use dry rock for new tanks though.

Ya, I don't buy the too much $$$ argument when all the same people ate spending $$ on radions, vortechs, high end tanks, apexs, etc.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Ya, I don't buy the too much $$$ argument when all the same people ate spending $$ on radions, vortechs, high end tanks, apexs, etc.

True. I just meant the perception. Liverock isn’t hyped up like the tech is. Paying that much for what people think is just “a bunch of rocks”, might not have the perceived value that those other things do.

 

[DIYreefer]

My tanks came after we had 3 toddlers at once. well 3 under 1 due to twins, they have grown up with the hobby so much so that they wonder where the fish tanks are at when they go to a house without one.

There has been some version of a reef tank in my house since before my kids were born (they are 15 and 17 now). Up until just a few years ago they thought that everyone had a fish tank in their house.

 

[fish farmer]

True. I just meant the perception. Liverock isn’t hyped up like the tech is. Paying that much for what people think is just “a bunch of rocks”, might not have the perceived value that those other things do.

Even back 20 years ago rock was considered a big chunk of money. I'm not sure how the current price compares to past prices regarding inflation.

The selection is limited now with only cultured Florida rock and Aussie which isn't easily available.

 

[wjm6449]

Not sure. I’m over year in. I had a crappy 16 gallon biocube and was nervous about doing that. I had some coral hit ugly stages my clowns killed off a few fish and had a pistol shrimp who (may he live in the big firey diarrhea toilet bowl he deserves to rest in). I believe I had some depression bout hit as well and neglected the tank just feeding the fish. Aptasia somehow got in the tank when 6 months or more no corals or new fish were introduced. The aptasia wiped out everything that was left but the clowns

Undeterred I’m now rocking a 125 gallon tank that I just stocked out with fish…. Coral next. that I’m nervous about.. but starting small and light. Not gonna go sps heavy and dosing. Have top of the line gear and automated my water changes directly to my sewer line… I’d like to think I’ll last long that my fish’s lifespan. We’ll see. This is a father son project!

 

[Sump Crab]

True. I just meant the perception. Liverock isn’t hyped up like the tech is. Paying that much for what people think is just “a bunch of rocks”, might not have the perceived value that those other things do.

Exactly my point. New hobbyists are much more likely to hand out advice based upon popular perception rather than actual experience.