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

[shakacuz]

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...

I tend to let them spark the conversation first to avoid any wrong signals haha

 

[Gumbies R Us]

If my tank had more in it to showoff I probably would

 

[friendlyAlien]

I am excited because I haven't killed everything yet - yay!

 

[Reefer Matt]

I don’t like to show mine off for validation or gratification. I just want to help others succeed. And if my style of reefing helps them, then that makes me happy to do so. That’s why I sometimes get weird about having a yt channel. Some people may make assumptions about my motives that aren’t true, and it becomes a distraction. But I decided I won’t let that stop me from continuing to support the reefing community.

 

[ieatbugman]

I like showing people my tank because it has come so far in the course of this past year, i also only have two reefer friends.

The top photo isn’t even the tank at its worst (which was spectacularly bad)

I promise the duncans are happier then they look, i think i just cleaned the glass

 

[ieatbugman]

If my tank had more in it to showoff I probably would

That aint true

 

[Gumbies R Us]

That aint true

Hey I do show off my bta, haha

 

[ieatbugman]

That thing is cool

 

[ieatbugman]

Better than mine, which is sad

 

[kdx7214]

The only people who see my tank are my wife, my mother, and my brother. This is not a bad thing as my tank is really quite a mess at the moment.

 

[Julbra]

If I know in advance someone is coming I get excited to show off the tank. I'll make sure to do an extra pass on the glass an hour before to give that crystal extra look. I might also bump up the blues depending on the hour.

 

[lbacha]

I love seeing what will draw someone's attention, I have 3 reef systems (40g, 100g & 300g) plus 3 vivariums (25g, 250g and 4300g) and multiple small terrariums. Everyone seems to like something different and even within each tank people are drawn to different aspects. My 300g reef is SPS dominant but I added some torches, hammers and zos to add some color and movement while the acros grow in. Right now people find them to be the most amazing part of the tank (outside of commenting on how many fish I have in it which is really not that many yet).

 

[UnderwaterGardener]

I love showing off my display tanks! Not everything can be perfect, but i look at our displays as living art pieces and i love to show and explain art and tanks! Here are 2 of my favorites, Big Mama our main 220g and our LPS 24 gallon all in one!

 

[cilyjr]

I'm mixed, usually when somebody new is seeing my tank it's because they're coming over to buy coral, if I have time, I'm happy to show them. But often somebody wants to come over at 6:30 on a Wednesday or something. And that means my wife and I are in the middle of making dinner or doing life.
When that's the case, I just don't have 40 minutes of question and answers. If you want to come over Saturday at noon, we could spend 2 hours.

 

[X-37B]

I will show mine anytime. Just showed it last week to my 90+ year old neighbor and he was more excited than I was, lol.
Tanks only 8 months with 50 hard corals 1 LPS and 9 fish.
Come back in a year and it will be filled in nicely.

 

[DanyL]

I chose other.
tl;dr: I guess “it’s complicated” fits my situation better, lol.

Generally, I’m eager to show off my tanks, especially when someone visits. My main tank is right in front of the entry, so it always draws immediate attention. It’s a great conversation opener - even when the tank isn’t looking its best or I’m dealing with problems.

But when I meet reefers “in the wild” (at the LFS or random buyers approaching me), and they’re not aware of my experience, I tend to hesitate. My tanks are close to two decades in the making, with large colonies that can sometimes intimidate people or leave them feeling embarrassed if they’ve tried to flex their own tank or knowledge beforehand - which is never my goal. That’s why I usually don’t push it unless I’m explicitly asked for or I feel like the other person is competent and would genuinely enjoy seeing it and appreciate the effort.


Another thing I try to avoid - and something that showing off can attract - is what I call “lazy sticky” people. These are folks who stumble across pictures of my tanks in local groups and decide they’d rather skip the effort required to succeed. Instead of learning the basics or putting in the work, they send endless questions (often the same ones repeatedly), don’t listen, and usually don’t last long in the hobby. It’s surprisingly common and can get frustrating.

(And Just to clarify, I’m not talking about people who are genuinely trying to learn. I answer everyone who approaches me, no matter their background. But when it comes to mentoring, I’m very selective. I focus on those who show a true desire to learn and progress - it’s the best way to ensure my free time and good will is well spent).


So yeah.. it’s complicated hehe

 

[exnisstech]

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

I'm not a big video fan but that was a great one. The part about listening to someone and stop listening to everyone and not letting someone elses goals be your goals (worded wrong I'm sure, sorry Ryan) were my key take aways and advice all people new to the hobby should consider following, at least untill they reach a level of success then raise the bar, experiment or whatever.

 

[JayM]

I’m neither. Mostly because I don’t personally know any other reefers, but if I did I don’t see myself being either excited nor hesitant about them seeing it.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

hesitant only because my reef is on month 7 and hasn’t really reached that 1 year+ mature level. That and my basement tends to get cluttered. But it is convenient because the garage goes right into the basement room where it is.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

I was also hoping my family would get really excited as it came together but they don’t seem to have an interest. It honestly baffles me when people see tanks that are fully grown and their jaws don’t drop. They look for clownfish and shrimp.