Is this the end or a blip

[exnisstech]

We're supposed to enjoy hobbies or there really isn't a point. I've been in an out of hobbies my entire adult life. I actually chose reefing over 8 years ago becuase I wanted a hobby that required my commitment so it wouldn't be so easy to walk away. Adding live creatures requires a whole different level of commitment than many other hobbies. As mentioned if your not enjoying it rehome the animals and take a break.

EDIT : Did you have certain expectations that you have not been able to obtain?

 

[Jasongtr]

We're supposed to enjoy hobbies or there really isn't a point. I've been in an out of hobbies my entire adult life. I actually chose reefing over 8 years ago becuase I wanted a hobby that required my commitment so it wouldn't be so easy to walk away. Adding live creatures requires a whole different level of commitment than many other hobbies. As mentioned if your not enjoying it rehome the animals and take a break.

EDIT : Did you have certain expectations that you have not been able to obtain?

Me too on hobbies and dropping them and picking them up when I feel like it, same with my shooting and guitars, astrophotography....

It did cross my mind that's what's happening here but as you say with livestock I cannot jyst completely ignore it like I would with the others, at the moment topping up the ATO reservoir feels like a chore I can't be bothered with (although of course I do)

 

[Uncle99]

Our tank is only a 3 ft 75g system but I'm getting to the point where even the most basic tasks are getting on my nerves, the tank is nearly two years old, starting to get a load of coralline algae too, we only have a few corals and 10 fish.



In storage we have a little fluval evo with everything needed to run it, I could even put a couple of the smaller fish in with a few zoa rocks and pretty much have it instantly running, I know it's weekly or bi weekly water changes and filter floss changes every 3/4 days to run that tank.





Anyone else been through this feeling and regretted not having a tank at all or wish they'd just walked away totally when this feeling sets in.

Hear you.
Yup, thought that.
Regretted no tank.
Bored.
So I went bigger, but less tech.

 

[Jimbo327]

This is a hobby and should be fun. If you ain't having fun and no desire to put the time/money to fix it, then it's time to get out of the hobby and find something more enjoyable. We go through phases where our priorities changes, it happens to all of us. Very few people continuously have tanks all of their life. Most people get out and then get back in later when the circumstances are more favorable.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

I keep making it better and each adjustment, addition ECT reignites the passion. You need to advance yourself each time you master something. I figured out how to do 30 gallon water changes every two weeks in less than an hour and never lift a bucket. I'm now learning carbon dosing and figuring out how to bring out more colors. I just got an Apex jr and will be learning that as soon as my probe holders come in. Keep moving forward.

This is how I started



This is my current system.

 

[Viking_Reefing]

I’ve been in the hobby for about 2,5 decades and I’ve gone through periods of what you’re feeling. The worst thing one can do I find is to do what you are currently doing, slacking of. Reefing is only fun and rewarding if you out in the work.
My advice would be to force yourself to do your maintenance to a T for a month. If it still isn’t any fun break down the tank.

 

[TacticalBacon]

I got back into it after exiting, rage quitting, in 2012. Everything has changed so much.

My Mastiff passed away, unexpectedly, and I didn't have it in me to start over with another Mastiff - they require a lot of training and dedicated time that I didn't have the heart to give it.

After taking my daughter to an appointment, the office had a large tropical tank and it dawned on me, wonder what the saltwater world is like now.... Was I ever surprised.

Now the LFS guy calls me his nervous nelly, as I am always worried about something or asking questions.

Having the livestock gives me the sense of purpose and I take being responsible for their wellbeing very serious.

I have named my two Clarkii clowns. Jack and Sally. Sally is salty and we have daily staring contests. She likes to float around mid tank and mug me, it is quite enjoyable. Working remotely 100% of the time, makes the office a bit lonely, so they have brightened my day, given me something to talk to and laugh at, and I still worry I am going to kill a coral or miss something, but the worry is actually enjoyable as it is a good purposeful worrying.

Not a blip and it has made this dismal season of Cleveland Browns football much less painful, so it has many positives.

And thanks to R2R and everyone who participates creating this awesome community of like minded folks.

 

[BryanM]

Not a good idea, other than zoas the few little lps we have are really struggling due to lack of water changes I suspect (as nothing else has changed) so afraid that's not going to revive my love of the tank

If you're done, I'd probably post it on FB marketplace for free to try and give it a new home, and the things that are alive a chance to stay that way.

 

[Jasongtr]

If you're done, I'd probably post it on FB marketplace for free to try and give it a new home, and the things that are alive a chance to stay that way.

Give what away for free?

 

[VintageReefer]

Give what away for free?

The tank you don’t want to take care of and downsize from.

Your mind seems made up. You come here lookin for validation but not support or help. Negative answer for everyone that tries to help motivate you or make a suggestion. Filling a ato is a downer. You’re bored and everything is chore. You think downsizing will help. Go for it. Why not. Or give up the hobby. No shame on that. You tried it and it was a fun run but turns out it’s not for you. Take a short or long or permanent break. It’s your life, figure out what brings you happiness and focus on that. Figure out what makes you feel negative and reduce it

 

[Mark Goode]

I got back into it after exiting, rage quitting, in 2012. Everything has changed so much.

My Mastiff passed away, unexpectedly, and I didn't have it in me to start over with another Mastiff - they require a lot of training and dedicated time that I didn't have the heart to give it.

After taking my daughter to an appointment, the office had a large tropical tank and it dawned on me, wonder what the saltwater world is like now.... Was I ever surprised.

Now the LFS guy calls me his nervous nelly, as I am always worried about something or asking questions.

Having the livestock gives me the sense of purpose and I take being responsible for their wellbeing very serious.

I have named my two Clarkii clowns. Jack and Sally. Sally is salty and we have daily staring contests. She likes to float around mid tank and mug me, it is quite enjoyable. Working remotely 100% of the time, makes the office a bit lonely, so they have brightened my day, given me something to talk to and laugh at, and I still worry I am going to kill a coral or miss something, but the worry is actually enjoyable as it is a good purposeful worrying.

Not a blip and it has made this dismal season of Cleveland Browns football much less painful, so it has many positives.

And thanks to R2R and everyone who participates creating this awesome community of like minded folks.

I had a mastiff once, a big softie called Samson. Like a lot of big dogs, he died young. The house wasn't the same without him... it didn't smell of fart, for example.

 

[TacticalBacon]

I had a mastiff once, a big softie called Samson. Like a lot of big dogs, he died young. The house wasn't the same without him... it didn't smell of fart, for example.

And the drool from my wife's boxer while technically drool, reminds me of the Crocodile Dundee movie, "that's not a knife, this is a knife..." That's not drool, that's spital or a light misting.