How did you get into this hobby?

[MegabiteOG]

@revhtree had a great question/ poll here asking "How much does our hobby need local fish stores?". My response to that was it's essential because I commented that the majority of new reefers first get into this hobby after visiting an LFS. That got me thinking on whether I'm just old and wrong and things have changed or are my thoughts correct. Please take a second and answer the poll if you'd like.

Although we can buy most everything online nowadays, I think a LFS is essential for the hobby and I still love visiting and buying stuff from several of my local LFS.

What's your thoughts?

 

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

Although I don't disagree with you, my "introduction" into the hobby was when I was 4-5 years old, although I was never truly involved with it until I was 18. Finding Nemo sparked an interest in my parents, and here I am (and R2R is) 20 years later.

 

[fishface NJ]

Had a goldfish as a kid. I could never have a dog because my parents are allergic to them. When I got married I thought I finally get a dog...nope....he doesn't like animals...so back to fish I went. I have had a reef tank since 1990.

 

[EricR]

Jellyfish tank (with coupons for free jellyfish) somehow ended up in my garage for a few years after in-law never used it.

My kids and I set that up and kept moon jellyfish for a couple of years.
After that, I just kinda stumbled forward through saltwater inverts, then fish, and finally corals.

 

[get-salty]

COVID.

 

[MegabiteOG]

Although I don't disagree with you, my "introduction" into the hobby was when I was 4-5 years old, although I was never truly involved with it until I was 18. Finding Nemo sparked an interest in my parents, and here I am (and R2R is) 20 years later.

No kidding, Nemo was/ is huge! You still hear people at an LFS ask, “is that a Dori?”

 

[Ruben's Reef]

I had a 75g freshwater tank with Discus and other compatible fish. Then my brother told me that he will do a saltwater tank and that open my curiosity but a lot of friends told me that is hard to keep and expensive. Then I started an online search and the first site that came out was Reef2Reef, then I start reading articles and getting deeper into the forum. One day I went to Miami to visit a friend of a friend and this guy has a huge reef tank and I started asking question while drinking some Heinekens on his porch. The guy always talk positive about settting up a reef tank and told me that if i'm keeping Discus I can keep a reef tank. When I get back to Tampa I sold my tank with all the fish and started a 40 gallon breeder that I drill and make a sump. Funny part is that my brother never got his dream saltwater tank beacase he think that was too complicated for him and just got a freshwater angel fish tank.

 

[SixlineRyan]

My mom got a fish tank for us when I was about 5. We had two guppies I named Batman & Robin and a betta named Mr. Miagi.

Fast forward about 10-11 years and my girlfriend's dad had a 75ish gallon freshwater tank which got my interest piqued. Wound up seeing the saltwater fish and fell in love with the colors.

Spent my highschool graduation money on a 75 gallon bowfront aquarium and started my saltwater (FOWLR) journey, haha. Also, set up a 20 gallon FW tank at the same time.

Had that tank for about 3 or 4 years and had to break it down after moving it a 2nd time wasn't feasible. Took about 13ish more years before I got another tank, and then a few more after that until I just started my first actual reef tank.

I've always loved animals / biology, and there's just something so other-wordly about the ocean and its creatures. Magic on Earth as far as I'm concerned.

Edit: ...and to answer the initial question. 100% essential, imo. People just get so enamored with the wildlife in person. The trick is just getting them in the door.

 

[MegabiteOG]

Had a goldfish as a kid. I could never have a dog because my parents are allergic to them. When I got married I thought I finally get a dog...nope....he doesn't like animals...so back to fish I went. I have had a reef tank since 1990.

Now I’m sad that you never got a dog. I think that there are also many fresh to salt converts out there.

Jellyfish tank (with coupons for free jellyfish) somehow ended up in my garage for a few years after in-law never used it.

My kids and I set that up and kept moon jellyfish for a couple of years.
After that, I just kinda stumbled forward through saltwater inverts, then fish, and finally corals.

That’s a really cool story!

COVID.

I don’t think you’re alone on that one!

 

[CHSUB]

Nothing was on TV because it was the night of the Republican National Convention. Grandmother took me to Pet City with a free gold fish coupon, came home with a 10 gallon tank.

 

[BryanM]

Ha. I have a long history with my wife of seeing things, like a snake tank or something, and saying you'd never want that in the house, huh? To which she always responds correct.

I did that with a reef tank and she said ... No, Id love one.

And here we are.... Through my first FB used buy, to learning that Redsea sucks, to dumping that tank and buying a bigger waterbox, to going through dinos, and thousands of dollars in livestock...

To current state, feels like I'm getting close to stable. Still have some work to do, but its more and more on track.

 

[MegabiteOG]

When I moved away from Miami and being in the ocean all the time, I really missed it. I happened to go by a LFS that had saltwater fish and some corals and the rest was history. I picked up my first tank the following week, along with some live sand and rock. Although missing the ocean was a motivator, going into the LFS and seeing all the fish and corals sealed the deal for me.

 

[commod0re]

My wife has been keeping freshwater aquaria for years and years. I’ve always enjoyed looking at them, and helping her set up and maintain the plumbing and filtration, but nothing about it excited me enough to consider keeping one of my own

Last year for her birthday we decided to try saltwater and there it was, the magic ingredient needed to capture my interest: salt

 

[MegabiteOG]

I had a 75g freshwater tank with Discus and other compatible fish. Then my brother told me that he will do a saltwater tank and that open my curiosity but a lot of friends told me that is hard to keep and expensive. Then I started an online search and the first site that came out was Reef2Reef, then I start reading articles and getting deeper into the forum. One day I went to Miami to visit a friend of a friend and this guy has a huge reef tank and I started asking question while drinking some Heinekens on his porch. The guy always talk positive about settting up a reef tank and told me that if i'm keeping Discus I can keep a reef tank. When I get back to Tampa I sold my tank with all the fish and started a 40 gallon breeder that I drill and make a sump. Funny part is that my brother never got his dream saltwater tank beacase he think that was too complicated for him and just got a freshwater angel fish tank.

We've all heard "It's too hard!". Although I wouldn't call it easy as it requires time and commitment like caring for any living thing, I would call it "too hard".

My mom got a fish tank for us when I was about 5. We had two guppies I named Batman & Robin and a betta named Mr. Miagi.

Fast forward about 10-11 years and my girlfriend's dad had a 75ish gallon freshwater tank which got my interest piqued. Wound up seeing the saltwater fish and fell in love with the colors.

Spent my highschool graduation money on a 75 gallon bowfront aquarium and started my saltwater (FOWLR) journey, haha. Also, set up a 20 gallon FW tank at the same time.

Had that tank for about 3 or 4 years and had to break it down after moving it a 2nd time wasn't feasible. Took about 13ish more years before I got another tank, and then a few more after that until I just started my first actual reef tank.

I've always loved animals / biology, and there's just something so other-wordly about the ocean and its creatures. Magic on Earth as far as I'm concerned.

Edit: ...and to answer the initial question. 100% essential, imo. People just get so enamored with the wildlife in person. The trick is just getting them in the door.

Love the story and cool that you ended with a reef tank! I also agree with your comment of the LFS.

Nothing was on TV because it was the night of the Republican National Convention. Grandmother took me to Pet City with a free gold fish coupon, came home with a 10 gallon tank.

Ha. I have a long history with my wife of seeing things, like a snake tank or something, and saying you'd never want that in the house, huh? To which she always responds correct.

I did that with a reef tank and she said ... No, Id love one.

And here we are.... Through my first FB used buy, to learning that Redsea sucks, to dumping that tank and buying a bigger waterbox, to going through dinos, and thousands of dollars in livestock...

To current state, feels like I'm getting close to stable. Still have some work to do, but its more and more on track.

I've been following you build from close to the beginning and you tank is looking great. You and I happen to get the same tank (WB 230.6). Cheers to stabillity!

My wife has been keeping freshwater aquaria for years and years. I’ve always enjoyed looking at them, and helping her set up and maintain the plumbing and filtration, but nothing about it excited me enough to consider keeping one of my own

Last year for her birthday we decided to try saltwater and there it was, the magic ingredient needed to capture my interest: salt

There are some beautiful freshwater tanks out there, but for me, they can never compete in beauty and interest to a reef tank. Happy reefing.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

my brother. hes a great salesman! (and knows me too well!)

 

[Boo Baker]

It was in 1985; my new bride and I walked into a mall "pet center" We were looking at the saltwater tanks and then grabbed a book on how to start a saltwater fish tank.

We brought the book up to the counter and the salesclerk looked at us and said, " Don't do it, nobody can keep them alive!"
Challenge was excepted.......40 years of tanks later.........She was right!

 

[R1chardTugnutz]

No joke was back in 2008 on reef2reef. I fell in love with the coral and set my self a goal to build a cheap 10 gallon tank. The ownler of the LFS was impressed with how quick I picked up the hobby and offered me a job after a few months. Worked there for almost 5 years and adored every second. To this day it's still one of my favorite jobs I've ever had.

 

[MegabiteOG]

my brother. hes a great salesman! (and knows me too well!)

Haha! I assume you brother has a reef tank, right?

It was in 1985; my new bride and I walked into a mall "pet center" We were looking at the saltwater tanks and then grabbed a book on how to start a saltwater fish tank.

We brought the book up to the counter and the salesclerk looked at us and said, " Don't do it, nobody can keep them alive!"
Challenge was excepted.......40 years of tanks later.........She was right!

Wait, 40 years later who was right? The sales clerk saying you can't keep things alive or your new wife on challenge accepted? Assuming it was your wife, great call on getting into and the wife!

No joke was back in 2008 on reef2reef. I fell in love with the coral and set my self a goal to build a cheap 10 gallon tank. The ownler of the LFS was impressed with how quick I picked up the hobby and offered me a job after a few months. Worked there for almost 5 years and adored every second. To this day it's still one of my favorite jobs I've ever had.

That's awesome. I think we have a few others in here that worked at LFS and a few that have also owned them. Do you still have a tank?

 

[smitten with ocean life]

he did years ago, yes. i always did freshwater and he finally talked me into trying salt. but things have changed so much since he did it that he just shakes his head when i talk about it

 

[PhishEDELIC]

My dad was in the hobby and then he had kids and stopped. I think me showing interest in aquariums was a back door for him into the hobby again, lol. I remember a lot of rides home from the fish store ending with, “we don’t need to tell mom how much we spent today”