Here you are, still reefing, still reading this post, still cleaning the glass and feeding the fish. WHY?

[Oliver d]

Put other,Have always loved marine life and all kinds of fish.Grew up with an aquarium in my life from age 4yrs old since age 10 I have maintaned my own tanks.I ve been snorkeling and scuba diving since my childhood and my favourite time is to be under water looking and exploring.So its great having a piece of that in my living room.

 

[Sandra Finnell]

Don't think that I posted the above reply correctly, and sorry if I didn't but I'm pretty new to the posting thing.

 

[Dan_P]

In this hobby there are UPS and there are DOWNS! Times when you want to throw in the towel. Times when you wonder if it is all worth it! But here you are, still reefing, still reading this post, still cleaning the glass ans feeding the fish.

There is something that keeps you going, something that keeps you driving forward in this hobby. What is it?

What would you tell someone who is on the verge of giving up?

image via @ChristopherKriens

Still thinking about how to vote, but as for what would I tell someone on the verge of quitting, I would very likely tell them to quit. For most people hobbies are temporary and if you are unsure about staying in, then such ambiguity speaks loudly about being emotionally disengaged. Best to quit. If you have a passion for an activity, there is simply no doubt in your mind about sticking with it in good or bad times. You are either all in or you are not. Simple , right ?

 

[waywardreefer]

Other. This hobby along with others help to keep my mind occupied and has a thearputic effect. Reefing and aquariums in general satisfy many different facets for me all rolled into one:

- Exercises discipline
- Tech (I'm an IT guy for the military...to new tech is always fun)
- Gear (geardo)
- Theraputic
- Rewarding
- Teaches life lessons on success/failure/persevearance
- Teaches/enforces patience
- Teaches ingineutity, innovation, and problem solving
- Sense of community
- Always growing/evolving (limits bordem)
- Has ability to expand into other hobbies (e.g. photography, art, DIY, small business, etc...)

 

[Dianna Marshall]

I chose “too much invested...” - and I’m not speaking entirely from a material point of view -
I’ve learned a lot and don’t want to see the education - self learned and helpful, knowledgeable mentors! I wouldn’t want that investment to collect dust on the hobby shelf.

 

[BiGGiePauls33]

I chose "Other" because there are many reasons why I stay involved. The wealth of knowledge associated with this hobby, the success of my inhabitants, the friendships I make in real life and online and the joy I get from helping others.

 

[Cuzuco]

Other.. I like to have this idea of having a little piece of ocean at home now that I do live far away from it.
I guess is nostalgia. And the curiosity to see how all this life will sprout and spread...

 

[Neil S.]

In this hobby there are UPS and there are DOWNS! Times when you want to throw in the towel. Times when you wonder if it is all worth it! But here you are, still reefing, still reading this post, still cleaning the glass ans feeding the fish.

There is something that keeps you going, something that keeps you driving forward in this hobby. What is it?

What would you tell someone who is on the verge of giving up?

image via @ChristopherKriens

I love the science behind keeping a miniature ecosystem. Researching an idea, developing the idea, implementing, and ultimately seeing it work. There are also a lot of environmental lessons to be found in the hobby, and the added benefit of sustainable and ethical reefing means that all of the reefers may be able to help in rebuilding devastated wild reefs.

 

[Omgitsjoe]

My wife and I have always loved fish. We go to the aquarium way more than anyone probably should. Plus reefing is a nice hobby that we both share and enjoy. Quality bonding time with the wife! @ChelseaBidwell

 

[220Gallon-Tim]

In this hobby there are UPS and there are DOWNS! Times when you want to throw in the towel. Times when you wonder if it is all worth it! But here you are, still reefing, still reading this post, still cleaning the glass ans feeding the fish.

There is something that keeps you going, something that keeps you driving forward in this hobby. What is it?

What would you tell someone who is on the verge of giving up?

image via @ChristopherKriens

From my view, it all about understanding the circle of life and being the steward over something that brings you joy. This hobby relieves a huge amount of stress when it comes to the world outside of reefing. All in all, its brings me tremendous calm just viewing the coral, fish and other forms of aquatic life interact.

 

[Why-Me]

Don't think that I posted the above reply correctly, and sorry if I didn't but I'm pretty new to the posting thing.

Welcome to R2R

 

[albano]

Most enjoyable way to spend my children’s inheritance!

I’m addicted... FW fish since 1956, SW since ‘73 and Reefs since ‘86!

Little trivia for you... in the 50s and 60s the LFSs that I visited, didn’t put your fish in a plastic bag... they put them into a little white folding cardboard container, that was also used for many years for takeout Chinese food!

 

[Purplelobst92]

I enjoy cultivating a piece of natural art, the beauty that a thriving reef tank provides is so breath taking that it re assures me that no matter the complexity or greatness of man made creations, nothing can top the creations of the creator, life in all its forms is a work of art that far exceeds anything man has or ever will create.

 

[ChelseaBidwell]

My wife and I have always loved fish. We go to the aquarium way more than anyone probably should. Plus reefing is a nice hobby that we both share and enjoy. Quality bonding time with the wife! @ChelseaBidwell

You mean quality head-butting time ;Hilarious

 

[Peach02]

For me it's a mixture of a few things

• It helps with my mental illness
• I work part time in a LFS so the more experience I have the better
• Invested too much to quit now
• I like challenging myself
• I enjoy looking at the tank

 

[LadyMac]

Sole reason, my dad he passed away not too long ago and he really really loved marine life. He owned a bar, and it was beach themed. I was really close to him, and this just helps me stay connected with him. I have a couple corals that he bought me before he passed and it’s my goal to help them thrive.

 

[Raege]

What drives me forward kerps me going? Goid friends and mentors. @Crabby48 @NY_Caveman @Scurvy @Fudsey @Katrina71 @RichtheReefer21 (in no particular order) are always there to encourage support and make suggestions.
What would I tell someone on verge of giving up? Remember what drew you to the hobby anf remember no one ever kbew it all or was without issues in the hobby. Engage with folks here and locally lean on them he results will come with time learning and new friendships

 

[norfolkgarden]

lol, +1 on masochism. And inertia. Still enjoy feeding the fish. Still prioritize the fish more than the corals.
lol, good thing. That beautiful bicolor angel is doing a real job on a lot of soft corals I thought would be too noxious to bother with.

just popping in for a minute. Still pretty busy on this side of the computer.

Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying their tanks.

 

[Billldg]

I am WAY to STUBBORN to give up. I first bought the tank because I wanted to see the fish, now I enjoy watching the SPS frags grow more.

 

[Beardo]

Voted other.
I have been fascinsted with aquatic life since I was a little kid. Just seemed like such a foreign, alien land. One of my favorite movies as a kid was "The Incredible Mr. Limpet" (ok, I'm old).
Also love the challenge. Have experienced so many ups and downs with my most recent system and though frustrating at times, the sense of achievment that comes with overcoming issues (such as the dino plauge I expereienced) is very satifying along with the knowledge I gain through those experiences.