No longer active in the hobby

[jtl]

I have sold all but the very last pieces of equipment. The entire process only took a couple of weeks and was relatively painless. As close as I can tell I got about 50% of my $$ back which is about what I figured. I hope no one goes into this hobby thinking they will come out whole or even close to it.

I was fortunate to not have any damage to floors or walls. You just never know what lurks behind a tank that sets against a wall for 2 years. The floors are porcelain tile so I wasn't concerned about that. I was finding that we were spending less and less time looking at the tank and more time doing maintenance. I also don't miss putting a gallon of aquarium water into the air of my house every day and the smell and humidity that goes with it. We never noticed the odor but when we had guests, there occasionally was a comment. I suppose there will be a little electrical savings but I never figured that cost much using led lights and energy efficient pumps and power heads. I probably spend more on my pool pump.

Any way this is one for the record books, now we are free to travel without any concerns that are aquarium related. It also means that Ron Reefman and Paul B are likely the oldest remaining reefers :). I still plan on leaving comments on R2R when I think I can provide helpful information.
John

 

[christopher.lauwers]

You will be back. We always come back :)

Enjoy your freedom.

 

[jtl]

You will be back. We always come back :)

Enjoy your freedom.

Nope, this was the last hurrah for this senior. Now I can enjoy others successes and avoid the failures.

 

[raylinds]

Best of luck and I hope you enjoy your freedom. As a former boat owner, it reminds me of the saying that the two happiest days of a boat owners life are the day they buy the boat and the day they sell it.;)

 

[Peace River]

I have sold all but the very last pieces of equipment. The entire process only took a couple of weeks and was relatively painless. As close as I can tell I got about 50% of my $$ back which is about what I figured. I hope no one goes into this hobby thinking they will come out whole or even close to it.

I was fortunate to not have any damage to floors or walls. You just never know what lurks behind a tank that sets against a wall for 2 years. The floors are porcelain tile so I wasn't concerned about that. I was finding that we were spending less and less time looking at the tank and more time doing maintenance. I also don't miss putting a gallon of aquarium water into the air of my house every day and the smell and humidity that goes with it. We never noticed the odor but when we had guests, there occasionally was a comment. I suppose there will be a little electrical savings but I never figured that cost much using led lights and energy efficient pumps and power heads. I probably spend more on my pool pump.

Any way this is one for the record books, now we are free to travel without any concerns that are aquarium related. It also means that Ron Reefman and Paul B are likely the oldest remaining reefers :). I still plan on leaving comments on R2R when I think I can provide helpful information.
John

I wish you the best in the next chapter - you live in an absolutely beautiful place! I encourage you to continue to make a difference in the world around you whatever you decide to do and wherever you travel!

 

[Aardvark1134]

You are right in that if you don't enjoy a tank why have it? Same with any hobby. Jobs are meant to make money, hobbies are meant to provide fun and or happiness. Confusing the reason for each never has good results. Do what will work correctly for you.

 

[jtl]

Best of luck and I hope you enjoy your freedom. As a former boat owner, it reminds me of the saying that the two happiest days of a boat owners life are the day they buy the boat and the day they sell it.;)

The first thing I did when we moved to FL 22 years ago is purchase a 28' cabin cruiser. What a costly mistake!

 

[GThompson]

Good luck in your future endeavors and maybe start a meg tooth collection. They require no feeding. Nice place you live at

 

[Sailfinguy21]

A working house a.c and clean condensor coil will take care of any humidity... just saying man...

 

[MnFish1]

I have sold all but the very last pieces of equipment. The entire process only took a couple of weeks and was relatively painless. As close as I can tell I got about 50% of my $$ back which is about what I figured. I hope no one goes into this hobby thinking they will come out whole or even close to it.

I was fortunate to not have any damage to floors or walls. You just never know what lurks behind a tank that sets against a wall for 2 years. The floors are porcelain tile so I wasn't concerned about that. I was finding that we were spending less and less time looking at the tank and more time doing maintenance. I also don't miss putting a gallon of aquarium water into the air of my house every day and the smell and humidity that goes with it. We never noticed the odor but when we had guests, there occasionally was a comment. I suppose there will be a little electrical savings but I never figured that cost much using led lights and energy efficient pumps and power heads. I probably spend more on my pool pump.

Any way this is one for the record books, now we are free to travel without any concerns that are aquarium related. It also means that Ron Reefman and Paul B are likely the oldest remaining reefers :). I still plan on leaving comments on R2R when I think I can provide helpful information.
John

I have had these thoughts:). But my guess is that you got more than 50% of your investment back - in that you enjoyed the tank while it was set up. :)

 

[jtl]

A working house a.c and clean condensor coil will take care of any humidity... just saying man...

FYI, I have two AC units and hooked up to two combination humidistat/thermostats. Have them service every 6 months.

 

[jtl]

I have had these thoughts:). But my guess is that you got more than 50% of your investment back - in that you enjoyed the tank while it was set up. :)

It is only money as they say and it was fun for a while.

 

[MnFish1]

It is only money as they say and it was fun for a while.

I have a feeling you may be back:)

 

[VR28man]

If you want something really interesting, why don’t you try a reef tank on a boat?

:D :D :D

Seriously, of course if you don’t want to do it anymore, then don’t do it. I hope you enjoy the boat, and hope you can live vicariously through some of us here on the forum!

 

[jtl]

If you want something really interesting, why don’t you try a reef tank on a boat?

:D :D :D

Seriously, of course if you don’t want to do it anymore, then don’t do it. I hope you enjoy the boat, and hope you can live vicariously through some of us here on the forum!

I only had the boat for a year and that was 22 years ago. Lost a bundle. I carried 150 gallons of fuel and was always thirsty. I think it got something like a mile per gallon. There was a restaurant on the water not far from the marina and occasionally some of us would boat over for a burger. We called it the $100 hamburger because that is what it cost in fuel to go there and back.

 

[Aardvark1134]

Reef tank on a boat? Don't they call that a glass bottom boat?

 

[GThompson]

I only had the boat for a year and that was 22 years ago. Lost a bundle. I carried 150 gallons of fuel and was always thirsty. I think it got something like a mile per gallon. There was a restaurant on the water not far from the marina and occasionally some of us would boat over for a burger. We called it the $100 hamburger because that is what it cost in fuel to go there and back.

BOAT = bust out another thousand. JS

 

[OrionN]

As another old timer, may I temp you with another run? A FOWLR does not require a ton of light thus non of that humidity, electrical cost or high maintenance pristine water condition. A predator tank, low light? Or a wrasse tank?

 

[jtl]

Nice! When I first started out in 1985 I had a couple of FWOLR. Back then it was bio balls for filtration but I had a couple of Lion fish, triggers, puffers and I have forgotten what else. They were in a 200 gallon plexi tank that we used as a divider in the living room. I loved those fish. Easier and very interesting but we are at the end of our long road. Now Lion fish are an invasive species in the FL waters.