Our Own Worst Critic: Do you get excited to show off your tank to fellow reefers, or are you hesitant?

[AlyciaMarie]

There are many reasons people keep saltwater tanks, but I think we can mostly agree that the beauty is what draws us in. Sometimes tanks aren't all that beautiful, especially if there are some weeds growing or corals throwing tantrums. At other times, the seemingly disorganized and "dirty" tanks are the most closely matched to our home reef's natural environment, while the cleanest ones are nutrient-deficient and incompatible with it's inhabitants long-term. Our true feelings about the appearance of our tanks can be quickly recognized when we are asked to show it off...How do you feel about yours?

Do you get excited to show off your tank to fellow reefers, or are you hesitant?

or

 

[AlyciaMarie]

I tend to get hesitant...

My dad is a big reefer, so when he comes over to see my tank, I get nervous about its appearance. My dad is always super helpful with giving advice and is always kind, even when the tank doesn't look so hot, but this GHA is just giving me a hard time right now.

 

[Knucker]

I tend to let my tank get a bit dirty with algae. I don't clean the glass as much and I let the nuisance algae grow.

This is so my CUC has plenty to eat. To me my tank looks healthy, but to others... Honestly who knows.

 

[shakacuz]

i hesitate depending if i feel like the person isn't a hobbyist or interested enough. some people are fine with "oh, nice, that's a cool fish tank" but that's the end of their enthusiasm lol.

 

[AlyciaMarie]

i hesitate depending if i feel like the person isn't a hobbyist or interested enough. some people are fine with "oh, nice, that's a cool fish tank" but that's the end of their enthusiasm lol.

Yes, I feel the same way about this, too. It can be a double-edged sword, as people who aren't super interested may not see the little problems, while true hobbyists can pick whole systems apart. Which is so helpful but also so humbling...

 

[overseascarson]

I lack the self-confidence to do so

 

[exnisstech]

I'd be happy to show mine but I don't have any reefer friends. Non reefers just don't get it.

 

[EricR]

Hesitant because:
- tank is at 3+ years and I only have easy stuff and not a ton of it (((going slow and simple)))
- cyano outbreak (unexpected) for the last 3 months,,, looks kinda yucky

 

[Cichlid Dad]

I don't hesitate, my tank is my tank and if you don't like it and say so, you will never be invited again. But if you offer suggestions and guidance it will be appreciated. Here is a great video. It's three parts but should give us confidence in our own reef. Part three is awesome

 

[Troylee]

Excited because I’ve put a ton of work Into my tank and nobody can appreciate it but another reefer.. also it’s cool to show a tank that’s 18 months old and full of acro colonies! People love to say you gotta wait a year or 2 before trying sticks blah blah! My tank is always sparkly clean and I strive to keep it that way so I don’t have any bad days.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

I'd be happy to show mine but I don't have any reefer friends. Non reefers just don't get it.

It's funny how people are shocked when they learn it's all alive and not just decorative. And even funnier is everyone likes the cheapest easiest coral I have in the tank.

 

[EricR]

It's funny how people are shocked when they learn it's all alive and not just decorative. And even funnier is everyone likes the cheapest easiest coral I have in the tank.

...and fun to try to convince people that corals aren't plants

 

[exnisstech]

It's funny how people are shocked when they learn it's all alive and not just decorative. And even funnier is everyone likes the cheapest easiest coral I have in the tank.

They always key on the cheap stuff. My mom was looking at a tank one day and she says ooh what kind of fish is that, it's pretty? I'm like, thanks mom thats a dalmatian moly that I converted to saltwater it's one of my prize fish GSP is always the favorite coral. I've only had one person even look twice at my acro tank lol

 

[BryanM]

Other, I certainly don't mind showing the tank, but its new, things take a while to grow, so it just doesn't look filled out.

I suspect I will be much more excited to show it off in a couple years.

 

[Dragen Fiend]

Always happy to show mine, even if a complete mess lol.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

...and fun to try to convince people that corals aren't plants

I will rub my zoa's and that usually convinces then

 

[overseascarson]

It's funny how people are shocked when they learn it's all alive and not just decorative. And even funnier is everyone likes the cheapest easiest coral I have in the tank.

I love the way corals look just as much as (probably) everyone else in this hobby. I think I've just gotten so used to seeing them every day from when I wake up to when I slump for the night; glancing at them from time to time, in between classes and assignments to make sure nobody's crashing out.

When my classmates/friends and I hang out in my room, they always seem to notice- especially, as you mentioned, the 'cheaper' ones- and I get to tell them about my trials and tribulations with each coral and the tank itself. I love recounting each of my corals' unique stories. Each of them marks a point in this semester, and I feel that helps me reflect on my progress in other aspects of my life.

I feel as though they've grown with me, in a way.

Thank you for sharing this, I need to change my mindset about some things and this has jumpstarted it.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

I love the way corals look just as much as (probably) everyone else in this hobby. I think I've just gotten so used to seeing them every day from when I wake up to when I slump for the night; glancing at them from time to time, in between classes and assignments to make sure nobody's crashing out.

When my classmates/friends and I hang out in my room, they always seem to notice- especially, as you mentioned, the 'cheaper' ones- and I get to tell them about my trials and tribulations with each coral and the tank itself. I love recounting each of my corals' unique stories. Each of them marks a point in this semester, and I feel that helps me reflect on my progress in other aspects of my life.

I feel as though they've grown with me, in a way.

Thank you for sharing this, I need to change my mindset about some things and this has jumpstarted it.

That is awesome!

 

[overseascarson]

That is awesome!

Many thanks

 

[Troylee]

I will rub my zoa's and that usually convinces then

Those are just under water Venus fly traps.