Possible hobby exit strategy

[dave48]

With advancing years and finding problems ******* heavy water containers around I’m looking for a possible exit strategy. I’ve got a mature 5ft tank (see pics) and the only way I’d want to go is find someone who could undertake a complete job and for a reasonable price organise taking all livestock and hardware.
As you can see there is quite an opportunity for major fragging and maybe dealers would be interested?
Not sure If I’m quite ready to make the final decision to say goodbye but looking now for feasible routes. What would folks recommend?

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

its a nice display, but unfortunately most of those corals are not really any corals any dealer would want. That's stuff that would get thrown in as freebies. High end corals is were all the money is and what is desired. The best coral I see is the bubble, which is nice but bubbles frag very poorly and would have to be sold as a colony. You can always try though!

 

[Saltyreef]

I recommend some cheap MJ transfer pumps and lengths of tubing for moving water where you need it to go if thats your only gripe.
If you no longer find the hobby enjoyable and satisfying, post it. First try the wholr system. If that takes too long to find s buyer then post livestock for sale. Once thats gone, post your rocks. Once thats gone, clean your sand really good, post that. Once thats gone, drain the tank, and post the smaller equipment and get rid of the tank and stand on local marketplace.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

I have kicked this around myself. It sounds (similar to me) that you would want someone else to handle the magicians act of making it all disappear at once.

My thinking is that if you are unable to possibly be stuck with breaking things down and selling them piece by piece over a length of time, or dealing with the Neanderthals of craigsface…. None of which interest me at all. Then your best bet may be a local fish store or club.

The way I’m looking at it, and when the time comes, I’ve had my enjoyment of it and it would be time to pass the torch. I’m truly leaning towards having a local club come by, and have a send off of sorts. I figure they’d bring a small group of like minded individuals. They would know how to take everything away in short order, without making a mess, or only taking certain items and leaving disarray to be dealt with later. I figure it would be paying it forward on a sense. Heck they’d probably even bring snacks, drinks and stories.

That’s just where I’m leaning as any other option would be too much effort for me personally these days. Probably so little payback as to not even be worth my effort if I could anyway.

 

[Uncle99]

Unfortunately, when I had to do that, the cost of getting out was the taker, who arranged everything, got all for free.

The good news was everything got a good home and I did not have to lift a finger.

I did replace my huge system with a small, AIO.

 

[Saltyreef]

I have kicked this around myself. It sounds (similar to me) that you would want someone else to handle the magicians act of making it all disappear at once.

My thinking is that if you are unable to possibly be stuck with breaking things down and selling them piece by piece over a length of time, or dealing with the Neanderthals of craigsface…. None of which interest me at all. Then your best bet may be a local fish store or club.

The way I’m looking at it, and when the time comes, I’ve had my enjoyment of it and it would be time to pass the torch. I’m truly leaning towards having a local club come by, and have a send off of sorts. I figure they’d bring a small group of like minded individuals. They would know how to take everything away in short order, without making a mess, or only taking certain items and leaving disarray to be dealt with later. I figure it would be paying it forward on a sense. Heck they’d probably even bring snacks, drinks and stories.

That’s just where I’m leaning as any other option would be too much effort for me personally these days. Probably so little payback as to not even be worth my effort if I could anyway.

You could post it all for free if you dont think you'll get an acceptable amount. Billy bob and tom would come pick it up and try to fit it in the back of a corolla. Ask me how i know lol.

 

[dave48]

Unfortunately, when I had to do that, the cost of getting out was the taker, who arranged everything, got all for free.

The good news was everything got a good home and I did not have to lift a finger.

I did replace my huge system with a small, AIO.

thanks for all the info and yes @m 78 with some health issues and need the magicians act referred to!
I wouldnt want the earth but its all only 3 years old and cost me £3500 GBP not including any livestock/rocks etc. so not too happy about a complete giveaway!

 

[Saltyreef]

Unfortunately, when I had to do that, the cost of getting out was the taker, who arranged everything, got all for free.

The good news was everything got a good home and I did not have to lift a finger.

I did replace my huge system with a small, AIO.

Did the same!!

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

You could post it all for free if you dont think you'll get an acceptable amount. Billy bob and tom would come pick it up and try to fit it in the back of a corolla. Ask me how i know lol.

Yeah I feel too vulnerable to let some unknown craigsface peeps into my house. It’s a paranoia thing. Aside from the possible accidental damage and mess, I could just imagine the meth hotline….yeah this dude is blind as bat, wobbles like a weeble, and has a bunch of cool shizzle to grab.

At least with an lfs or club, I’d feel a bit more trusting or at least know where to point the finger to.

 

[Uncle99]

thanks for all the info and yes @m 78 with some health issues and need the magicians act referred to!
I wouldnt want the earth but its all only 3 years old and cost me £3500 GBP not including any livestock/rocks etc. so not too happy about a complete giveaway!

Can’t say I was happy with the freebie.
But, the guy, (a LFS owner) did a fantastic job t removing the 160g display, 50 gallon sump, 2, 50g frag tanks and all the livestock in one day, without 1 causality.

I had this group of fish including 4 full sized tangs for 7 years, so they were like family.

I could of tried to sell in parts, but I think this would have been a disaster in the end.

The reduction in operating costs are quickly offsetting the losses.

 

[Saltyreef]

Yeah I feel too vulnerable to let some unknown craigsface peeps into my house. It’s a paranoia thing. Aside from the possible accidental damage and mess, I could just imagine the meth hotline….yeah this dude is blind as bat, wobbles like a weeble, and has a bunch of cool shizzle to grab.

At least with an lfs or club, I’d feel a bit more trusting or at least know where to point the finger to.

Good idea to never let Methew over. He will just meth around with you.

Though if you are anything like Dalton on your avatar...you are one BAMF.

 

[dave48]

its a nice display, but unfortunately most of those corals are not really any corals any dealer would want. That's stuff that would get thrown in as freebies. High end corals is were all the money is and what is desired. The best coral I see is the bubble, which is nice but bubbles frag very poorly and would have to be sold as a colony. You can always try though!

Yes I know theyre mostly softs but Id have been happy to shop where you do to get them all thrown in as freebies! I actually paid good money

 

[dave48]

Can’t say I was happy with the freebie.
But, the guy, (a LFS owner) did a fantastic job t removing the 160g display, 50 gallon sump, 2, 50g frag tanks and all the livestock in one day, without 1 causality.

I had this group of fish including 4 full sized tangs for 7 years, so they were like family.

I could of tried to sell in parts, but I think this would have been a disaster in the end.

The reduction in operating costs are quickly offsetting the losses.

I bet the LFS guy went home with a smile on his face though

 

[BryanM]

Unfortunately reefing equipment used is not worth a lot, 25% or less of initial cost most of the time. Ie, its a bloodbath.

My .02c is that if you can find someone that wants to get in to the hobby, or already has tanks and wants another one, make them an unbelievable deal to have it removed all at once, and be happy that it went to a good home.

And by unbelievable deal I mean something sub £1000, though I'd probably start the advertising there, so when you get a £500-700 offer you can say yes.

It hurts. I know from personal experience.

 

[Uncle99]

I bet the LFS guy went home with a smile on his face though

Several months later, when I wanted a small IM AIO, he had it shipped directly to my home, he gave it to me at half price, and a pair of clowns and trio of Lyretails for free.

So in the end, it all worked out.

Good luck.

 

[dave48]

Several months later, when I wanted a small IM AIO, he had it shipped directly to my home, he gave it to me at half price, and a pair of clowns and trio of Lyretails for free.

So in the end, it all worked out.

Good luck.

fair enough. that sweetened the medicine!

 

[dave48]

Unfortunately reefing equipment used is not worth a lot, 25% or less of initial cost most of the time. Ie, its a bloodbath.

My .02c is that if you can find someone that wants to get in to the hobby, or already has tanks and wants another one, make them an unbelievable deal to have it removed all at once, and be happy that it went to a good home.

And by unbelievable deal I mean something sub £1000, though I'd probably start the advertising there, so when you get a £500-700 offer you can say yes.

It hurts. I know from personal experience.

Yep I know what you mean about used kit but TBH they're are about the numbers I had in mind so it could be worth a punt.