If you only saw your tank for 10 days a month, would you still have one?

[RJKain-777]

As the title says, if you saw your tank for only 10 days a month, would you still have one? I’ve always worked shift work, mainly 14/7 shift, so I would be gone out of town for 14 days, then home for 7. Now, I’m doing 20/10. Technically I have more days home, just longer in between.

Reefing helps me tremendously with my anxiety and depression. But, is it going to be worth it, if I only see my tank every 20 days?

My tank is 99% fully automated. And my wife is a stay at home mom. So I’m not worried about “if things go wrong” ( ok , maybe a little).

 

[Bob Weigant]

If that was my situation I would probably stick to easy corals. I completely agree with how it helps you with depression and anxiety. When I’m out in the garage with my tanks I get completely relaxed

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

I’m in a similar situation lately where I’m out of town Monday to Friday. It kind of sucks to only see it in time to do a water change but I still love it. How long will you be doing this?

 

[RJKain-777]

I’m in a similar situation lately where I’m out of town Monday to Friday. It kind of sucks to only see it in time to do a water change but I still love it. How long will you be doing this?

I’ve been doing it my whole life. Probably for the next 5-10 years any ways. It’s the only way to make any money with the career I chose.

My tanks automated, everything from feed to water changes. Only thing I haven’t done, is make my RODI automatically fill my auto top off which would probably be pretty easy

 

[Sm51498]

I would but I'd probably go for a softy reef.

 

[theMeat]

Yes. I sleep home everyday but have been so busy I haven’t been cleaning the glass so I don’t see it anyway. Just a pulsing greenish mess
Every time I clean the glass feel like I have a new tank. Wow. And amazed how good everything is doing.
Love my tank

 

[RJKain-777]

I would but I'd probably go for a softy reef.

And then there’s me, I still want a bigger tank. Lol

 

[SashimiTurtle]

I work rotating 12s. When I'm on shift, I have no time for the tanks. I do get every 4th week off, sp that's my "mess with the tanks" time. Tonight I looked at the tanks for 30 seconds, dumped some food in and I'm about to crash.

I'd never give it up tho. It's my escape.

 

[Sm51498]

And then there’s me, I still want a bigger tank. Lol

Honestly if I was doing softy only I would want a biiiiig tank so I could have a huge sarcophyton. They are magnificent animals and so impressive to see a mature female.

 

[RJKain-777]

Honestly if I was doing softy only I would want a biiiiig tank so I could have a huge sarcophyton. They are magnificent animals and so impressive to see a mature female.

I’m hoping for a 400-500 gallon in the next 5 years

 

[greezeb]

Maybe if it was fully automated and softy only. Although...i enjoy tinkering with my tank daily so it would be tough.

 

[Peach02]

100% agree that it helps with depression both my therapists and parents have commented on it.
If I would have time on those 10 days to sit down and watch it yes if no probably not

 

[RJKain-777]

100% agree that it helps with depression both my therapists and parents have commented on it.
If I would have time on those 10 days to sit down and watch it yes if no probably not

With my oldest in school, my 10 days off are very open haha

 

[hllb]

If it helps with your anxiety, keep it and get a Wifi camera setup so you can watch it when gone.

 

[Tamberav]

I would probably set up a mobile pico tank to take with me for fun Still keep the one at home but I wouldn't mind bringing one of those little reef vases with me or some such.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

If it helps with your anxiety, keep it and get a Wifi camera setup so you can watch it when gone.

This right here. @RJKain-777, I used to have about the same schedule as you when I took a job outside of being an active duty Marine, but longer away and a few days less at home. It seriously sucked. I got some cheap wyse cameras and would check in on the tank when at the hotel. The wife did an excellent job keeping the tank running and the wyse Camera doubled as a way to see the kids craziness also. Helped tremendously. You will also see things that the fish do that you have never seen before. They don’t see you, so the whole feed me thing is gone.

 

[Peach02]

With my oldest in school, my 10 days off are very open haha

Then I’d go for it!

 

[Peach02]

With my oldest in school, my 10 days off are very open haha

And if you ever want to talk about your anxiety or depression shoot me a pm

 

[chefjpaul]

Completely understand this. I as well work 80+
Seeing it lights off mornings and almost every evening. Crazy to test at 1am, but it works as its consistency.

Recently Just broke down 2 of 3 tanks, got rid of 90% SPS, went back to LSP / Euphyllia tank.
Stress lowered dramatically, tank running better. Wife feeds the fatty fishes.

Automation & camera helps most, but I'll never give it up, even if it was every 10 days.

 

[RJKain-777]

And if you ever want to talk about your anxiety or depression shoot me a pm

Thanks, I appreciate it! I’m just starting to figure out certain triggers after 20 years.