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

[LiquidSpace]

I’m hesitant because I’m almost 5 months into this aquarium’s life…without lights because I’m saving up for them

I really should make a thread about it. The sump is seeded with TB live sand and rock to get the bacterial diversity going. I have all my equipment for the most part, tank is going great, lights are the last thing I’ll be adding and it may be about a year into its life by then.

 

[Mr Fishface]

I would say excited. Having said that I don't have many friends that do saltwater so the people I show it off to don't know any better. But I like my tank and even though it's not perfect, it's functional and beautiful in its own way.

 

[KrisReef]

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

I hesitate because some people might misunderstand if I say; "Show me yours and I will show you mine."

 

[Cichlid Dad]

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.

So, when I first started I tried explaining what the tank would turn into in a few years but my wife didn't get it. She was use to my fresh water and had never seen a proper reef tank, she would look at the tank but it didn't really care much about it. She is the budgeter of the house and was reluctant to free up money for equipment etc. fast forward a few years and somehow she finds the cash needed for maintenance and upkeep, doesn't question a new piece of equipment because she can see the results. I have found she goes down and enjoys the tank on her own and knows all of the fish, the trigger is her favorite because he comes over to her and runs up on the glass. She now has a basic knowledge of coral and will surprise me sometimes with things she has picked up on either from me or the you tube videos I'm constantly watching. She now doesn't give me the side eye when I tell her I spent 70.00 on a frag.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

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.

Here is part three, I found this very helpful

 

[ieatbugman]

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.

My grandmother did exactly that with my cleaner shrimp!

 

[overseascarson]

Those are just under water Venus fly traps.

I swear!

 

[ieatbugman]

heyyyyyyy! A fellow carnivorous plant grower

 

[TylerHaworth]

I hate showing off my tanks knowing that there are always issues I’m working on…

Work in progress thing, never had a “finished” product I felt was worthy.

 

[overseascarson]

heyyyyyyy! A fellow carnivorous plant grower

Neat! Hope they have a smooth dormancy!

 

[ReefGeezer]

I like showing off my tank. I really like getting face to face feedback from other hobbyists. That is more fun to me than explaining why I don't have all the Finding Nemo fish in mu tank.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

I hate showing off my tanks knowing that there are always issues I’m working on…

Work in progress thing, never had a “finished” product I felt was worthy.

I find that when i walk away from the tank for a few days, it looks more impressive when I come home. Like anything in life, it can always be improved

 

[elwallacejr]

I wrote about 5 paragraphs with my thoughts but the summary that I wrote feels like the best post.

I've been in aquaria for a long time so I say show the tank off. Reefing is absolutely a journey. There's a great community of folks willing to help. Regrettably, there are internet trolls too. Just remember why you got into the hobby and enjoy it for that. It is a tough hobby and it's easy to get discouraged. There's a gozillian options for how to solve the big three (lighting, flow, chem) which doesn't help. But, again, it's a journey and you will pick a path and likely back track a few times. There are always wins along the way that we learn from. So remember to enjoy the journey!

Here's the dog food that I'm eating right now:

 

[Fish Styx]

I'm always super self-conscious about it due to fear of being judged harshly, or not being viewed as a serious hobbyist. I struggle with imposter syndrome in many other aspects of my life, so it makes sense that it carries over here. Fun fact: only two real hobbyists have ever seen my system in person, and the 2nd was just the other day.

 

[ieatbugman]

I'm always super self-conscious about it due to fear of being judged harshly, or not being viewed as a serious hobbyist. I struggle with imposter syndrome in many other aspects of my life, so it makes sense that it carries over here. Fun fact: only two real hobbyists have ever seen my system in person, and the 2nd was just the other day.

Nah, your tank is amazing.

 

[Fish Styx]

Nah, your tank is amazing.

Thank you for that!

 

[Pntbll687]

I get excited to show off my tank.

I've come to realize that reef keeping is just like golf, 90% of the people out there are terrible and have no clue what they are doing, 8% have stuck around long enough to figure a little bit out, and 2% are actually much better than you are, and have no impact on how good you can be.

But in actuality, talking reef stuff is what I like, good/bad doesn't matter. It's not everyday I get to talk fish and reef tank with people, let alone someone who understands what I'm saying

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

I get hesitant because I hold myself to unrealistic expectations

 

[Jasonak]

Im proud of my tank but im a hermit lol Me and the wife are just not that social anymore.
Neighbors see us in the yard and stop and invite us over for various things through out the year and were like yeah yeah that sounds great and then we never go LOL were terrible LOL

All the relos will be over for xmas and then the tank wont be shared for another year

I will say it is cool, through out the evening people will disappear and I will find them downstairs staring at the tanks

 

[justdeb1107]

I get excited because my family is sick to death about hearing about my tank. And I'm like, "But look at this stunning coral reef in our living room!" and they legit walk past it without a glance, day in, day out. I just don't understand! haha

I asked for Reef Moonshiner elements for Christmas when everyone asked what I wanted, and nobody got them for me. They thought "fish tank chemicals" were too boring. O.M.G.