I guess its time to move on

[Lavey29]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with stepping away for a break. I've been in the hobby for 30+ years, and have stepped away for years at a time more than once when life went other directions. Last time was as we bought a fixer upper and then had a second child. Turned into a five year break and I'm just now getting a new tank started. It feels really fun again as before it seemed like not the right time, at that time.

Plus, it's a hobby! It's just here to make you happy so if you feel happier doing something else, then it's that simple.

Cheers,

Thank you

 

[Waters]

Sorry for your loss too. Yes it just feels like the years fly by now as you age. Getting old sucks, no other way to put it

Yeah you aren't kidding. I remember as a kid waiting from one Christmas to the next took a lifetime. Now it feels like as I am putting the tree back up, I swear I just took it down from the previous Christmas 3 days ago lol.

 

[Lavey29]

I still got these guys

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

Getting old sucks, no other way to put it

Still, it's better than the alternative, imo.

 

[Üter]

I totally understand. spend the time with family the most you can and enjoy showing them the world. life is shorter than you think. Best wishes but please post pictures from time to time of your travels.

 

[tvan]

Bad news is time seems to pass by faster the older you get. Hobbies are cyclical(ie you'll be back). But the truth, enjoy what you have, while you can! And safe travels...

 

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

My tank is approaching 5 years and I love this beautiful hobby. Nothing more relaxing then sipping a good whiskey at night in front of my tank but recent events have made me make the difficult decision to shut down my tank.

My wifes mom passed away over Christmas and it has been very hard on her and the family. It really got me thinking how precious and short life really is. Im not a young guy and have 2 daughters. One in college and another in high school and there is so much more I want to experience with them before I'm to old and they are grown and on their own. I sold one of my properties to pay for their college but I also really want to take them and my wife on world travel so they can see different cultures and history. Im talking extended travels all over. Obviously this is difficult if you are worrying about your tank. I've had neighbors tank sit for a week or two here and there but I don’t want to burden them multiple times and I'm so OCD about the care of my animals most have been with me close to 5 years too.

Also, few years back I got a 4runner and really started to enjoy overlanding day trips in California but I really want to expand on this hobby also and see many different parts of our country that I've only read about. I'm retired so loading up for a multi week trip around our beautiful country just sounds so relaxing to me.

Essentially, I feel if I dont get going on some of these family life plans then they may never happen but I'm so concerned about the tank break down. I wish I could just give everything as is to a young reefer with a family to enjoy in their home like I've enjoyed it here in mine. The care and well being of my aquatic friends is so important to me.

I have really enjoyed the camaraderie and friendship with many of you here. We all have the same love of the hobby.

Ah, what a bittersweet read. At the end of the day, hobbies are just hobbies, but family and the time spent with them are everything. Although I will be sad to see your beautiful tank go, I appreciate the reasoning behind it and can't say that I wouldn't do the same. Hopefully, it is just an extended hiatus and not a "forever" goodbye. I'm sure the hobby would love to see your return when your ache for adventure is satisfied.

Don't forget about us! Stop by and share your knowledge with our community every now and then.

 

[Lavey29]

Ah, what a bittersweet read. At the end of the day, hobbies are just hobbies, but family and the time spent with them are everything. Although I will be sad to see your beautiful tank go, I appreciate the reasoning behind it and can't say that I wouldn't do the same. Hopefully, it is just an extended hiatus and not a "forever" goodbye. I'm sure the hobby would love to see your return when your ache for adventure is satisfied.

Don't forget about us! Stop by and share your knowledge with our community every now and then.

Thank you

 

[droblack]

I can relate to your situation, and now just have a 29g cube with a couple of fish and anemones. Couldn't properly do larger reef tanks and take care of family and work, and have time to relax. Best of luck to you and your family, and to your reef, wherever it happens to be.

 

[69cam]

In 3 years when I "retire", I will probably do the same..
Happy trails.

 

[Lavey29]

I can relate to your situation, and now just have a 29g cube with a couple of fish and anemones. Couldn't properly do larger reef tanks and take care of family and work, and have time to relax. Best of luck to you and your family, and to your reef, wherever it happens to be.

Thank you

 

[Lavey29]

In 3 years when I "retire", I will probably do the same..
Happy trails.

Retirement is kind of bittersweet. Its nice to be free to do things but then you start feeling like an old car with little mechanical things that start failing leading to bigger problems. I.often miss my time at work but my job took a lot of time away from my family and I'm trying to make up for that lost time now.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

I can respect your decision. Just coming back from a family trip to Hawaii, gets you thinking. If I wasn’t spending the weekend working on the tanks I would and probably could afford more trips around the world diving etc. Even when I was diving a few days ago, looking at a world full of fish and coral, all I could think about was how what I was seeing could translate to my tanks. Maybe that is a good thing or not, But here I am in the worlds biggest aquarium thinking about my tanks 3000 miles away. Although related, I really wasn’t present in the situation that was before me, for what the beauty of the reef actually was.
I have done this since 1989 and yes I have taken breaks. Mostly because of different life situations, but I always came back. It is hard to get rid of once you are hooked. You made it to the 5 year mark, which means you figured it out enough to make it enjoyable. So I will say, I will see you again soon, but not soon enough.
On a final note, I can hold on to that yellow tang for you until you do come back....

 

[steveschuerger]

I imagine that I might do the same. Aquaria come and go, admittedly it’s hard when you’ve out so much time and effort into it. I remember how I felt when I sold my tank when last years life altering events happened to me. But as you say kids are kids only once. And in any case once you’ve done the see the world part of your life you can always set up a new undersea slice of life. I’m sure you will find a good home for this aquatic gem of yours .

 

[steveschuerger]

Double post ignore

 

[Jungle Blue]

Travel to see beautiful reefs :)

 

[Lavey29]

I can respect your decision. Just coming back from a family trip to Hawaii, gets you thinking. If I wasn’t spending the weekend working on the tanks I would and probably could afford more trips around the world diving etc. Even when I was diving a few days ago, looking at a world full of fish and coral, all I could think about was how what I was seeing could translate to my tanks. Maybe that is a good thing or not, But here I am in the worlds biggest aquarium thinking about my tanks 3000 miles away. Although related, I really wasn’t present in the situation that was before me, for what the beauty of the reef actually was.
I have done this since 1989 and yes I have taken breaks. Mostly because of different life situations, but I always came back. It is hard to get rid of once you are hooked. You made it to the 5 year mark, which means you figured it out enough to make it enjoyable. So I will say, I will see you again soon, but not soon enough.
On a final note, I can hold on to that yellow tang for you until you do come back....

Thanks, I love this beautiful hobby just need to focus on family priorities now. I got that tang about 6 months ago thinking I was going to get a bigger tank early this year. I really hope my LFS finds him a good home but will keep your fish sitting offer on the table.

 

[Lavey29]

I imagine that I might do the same. Aquaria come and go, admittedly it’s hard when you’ve out so much time and effort into it. I remember how I felt when I sold my tank when last years life altering events happened to me. But as you say kids are kids only once. And in any case once you’ve done the see the world part of your life you can always set up a new undersea slice of life. I’m sure you will find a good home for this aquatic gem of yours .

Thank you

 

[vetteguy53081]

My tank is approaching 5 years and I love this beautiful hobby. Nothing more relaxing then sipping a good whiskey at night in front of my tank but recent events have made me make the difficult decision to shut down my tank.

My wifes mom passed away over Christmas and it has been very hard on her and the family. It really got me thinking how precious and short life really is. Im not a young guy and have 2 daughters. One in college and another in high school and there is so much more I want to experience with them before I'm to old and they are grown and on their own. I sold one of my properties to pay for their college but I also really want to take them and my wife on world travel so they can see different cultures and history. Im talking extended travels all over. Obviously this is difficult if you are worrying about your tank. I've had neighbors tank sit for a week or two here and there but I don’t want to burden them multiple times and I'm so OCD about the care of my animals most have been with me close to 5 years too.

Also, few years back I got a 4runner and really started to enjoy overlanding day trips in California but I really want to expand on this hobby also and see many different parts of our country that I've only read about. I'm retired so loading up for a multi week trip around our beautiful country just sounds so relaxing to me.

Essentially, I feel if I dont get going on some of these family life plans then they may never happen but I'm so concerned about the tank break down. I wish I could just give everything as is to a young reefer with a family to enjoy in their home like I've enjoyed it here in mine. The care and well being of my aquatic friends is so important to me.

I have really enjoyed the camaraderie and friendship with many of you here. We all have the same love of the hobby.

Ive been traveling often but most are 3-4 days and can be a challenge if long trips. While I do my best to preserve my livestock in my absence, yes there is often the concern of what am I coming home to. I took 17 trips via flying last year and plan to increase that number this year in fact planning one right now.

 

[Lavey29]

Not really sure how to post in the market but if anyone in so cal is interested in everything I have including coral, fish and all equipment here plus tons of extras let me know. You just have to make arrangements to move it. Probably 15k worth all together now.