Reefers 60 and over

[Bob Weigant]

Very curious on us older reefers. I broke past the 60 year old mark and do love this hobby but at what point do you say "I just can't do this anymore " Its very easy to be younger and say I'll be doing this forever but the body doesn't stay strong forever. I'd love to do a bigger tank but I think Im gone settle on another AIO. What are your thoughts

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Heavy lifting is my primary concern, and for all water transfers, I've arranged for electricity to do the work now. :)

 

[Bob Weigant]

Heavy lifting is my primary concern, and for all water transfers, I've arranged for electricity to do the work now. :)

I share that same concern

 

[CHSUB]

My recent tank is AIO 33 gallon and a connected 16 gallon started 2 years ago at 55. No desire to do bigger…big tanks just require more HP that I don’t have anymore.
Here I’m almost 2 decades ago…

 

[thetedinator]

I can still move a Tropic Marin 200g bucket. But just barely and I won’t order those anymore.

 

[bristleworm]

66 closing in on 67.
Still bow hunting, bike riding, but i did give up mountain biking last year.
Just started a IM Lagoon 25.
I can still lift etc. But 66 years has taught me, if it ain't easy I dont do it. So I always try to automated anything I can.

I got a big discus tank that requires a lot of a water changes. I got it down to dragging one hose up a flight of stairs and hitting the button on an app.

My new dilemma is with my im lagoon. I have to have a source for rodi topoff and a source for saltwater but I only want to use 1 python.
I think if I plumb two submersible pumps with pvc and valves to one python connection I'm good to go.
Pretty much a standard mixing station but with two submersible pumps.

 

[kevgib67]

I’ll be joining you in 3 months, I’ll let you know.

 

[bristleworm]

I’ll be joining you in 3 months, I’ll let you know.

Just remember, youth is wasted ob the young.
And congrats on 60!

 

[mfinn]

I turned 74 this year and have no plans to quit now.
I do have to tell the FedEx guy to drop the boxes of salt off at the garage door.

 

[tripdad]

I am 64 and raising my 8 year old grand daughter so I will be working for a while yet. Counting on the job to keep me fit and strong since it is very physical. When needed I will follow trends and start swapping out pieces and parts, lol.

 

[Tahoe61]

I am 64, closer to 65, I keep three nano AIO. After a medical emergency that left me out for 2 wks I realized I need to do two things.

1. Make sure my spouse knows more than the basics.
2. Use carts, and easily moved aquarium stands.

Honestly I didn't start considering my limitations until 63.
Thankfully I have hoarded enough decent tanks and equipment to keep me going for decades.

Keeping, tinkering, and the maintenance of aquariums everyday is like my morning coffee, it's all a great part of my day.

 

[Bob Weigant]

I’ll be joining you in 3 months, I’ll let you know.

I wont spoil the surprises coming your way

 

[Bob Weigant]

We certainly face some challenges. I have to have some special notes on what to do with my tank and corals if I become unable for whatever reason. I feel the difference even from just a few years ago. My job is also demanding but even that will have an end in a few years. Here's to all of us older guys and the ones who are almost at 60 kevgib67 ) who are still plugging away in the hobby

 

[edsbeaker]

I am closing in on 66, and recently traded in my IM 170 gallon for a IM 25 gallon lagoon. Everything was automated on the 170, so I really wasn’t limited by “old age”. I was just feeling overwhelmed by the size and knowledge that it would really be a struggle to take it all down as I got older. I am just 4’ 11” and it was a struggle, and maybe not the best idea to be climbing up on a stool every time I had to reach something in the tank. A stool was needed just to feed them.

My 25 gallon is more enjoyable and relaxing for me without the everyday worries I had with the larger tank.

 

[redfishbluefish]

72 here! Still waking up in the morning, so I can't complain. I too am concerned about lugging five gallon jugs of water up the cellar stairs. I did trip/fall about three months ago on the last step and banged my head. It was more rushing and not paying attention than an old age thing. Luckily I have a thick skull.

 

[areefer01]

Very curious on us older reefers. I broke past the 60 year old mark and do love this hobby but at what point do you say "I just can't do this anymore "

You don't. And the question, in my opinion, applies to all ages. If we are being honest it comes down to the design and implementation. Why design? Simple answer really, accessibility.

The saying goes 'forest for the trees' comes to mind. We rush in with excitement and too focused on the small details not understanding the big picture. In my opinion. What is the big picture? Age.

When properly set up, and cared for, our reefs will out last us, the hobbyist, and passed down, sold, given away, or in some cases thrown away like leaves in the compost bin.

Hip or knee replacement. Movement and/or weight restrictions. Sciatica nerve damage - back pain and more limitations. Vertigo balance, limitations. Age doesn't care. Something can happen and it may cause limits which will require either a decision such as does it make sense to continue or getting help.

So back to the design and implementation. Creating an environment for the long game reduces some of these issues. A skimmer collection cup is such a simple task but the hip, knee replacement or nerve pain may limit us doing so. Having that same skimmer raised such that we no longer break 90 degree plane, well, lets us continue on with the hobby. Likewise with reducing ladder usage or reaching for things to do routine maintenance. Making things accessible, safely, for day to day maintenance is key.

At the end of the day the design also allows us asking for help or assistance. Even hiring in someone or a maintenance team. Having things laid out and documented as to what goes where or how things work, well, creates less stress for everyone and saves you money if hired out.

A bit of a ramble or rant but hopefully some of it makes sense. I fell into this question after having a hip replaced. Reef tanks, in my opinion, should all be treated as a project regardless of size. Documented and laid out. I know it slows things down and may increase the cost but as the saying goes 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure'. Easier and cheaper to stop or limit the problem before it starts and fixing it later.

Just my take and your mileage may vary.

 

[X-37B]

69 next month. They can have my reef tanks when they pry them from my cold dead hands.
On a lighter note, lol, I stay in shape even after an industrial accident left me 30% legally disabled 7 years ago and forced my retirement.
Without the gym and regular exercise and correct stretching I would most like be able to only maintain one if that.
Honestly after the accident I never expected to feel this good again.
I did have to cancel my plan to train Shutzhund and get a Mali to compete. A previous hobby of mine. Also a large dog deserve more than a life stuck in a small backyard.
So I have cats and fish and enjoy everyday I have left with them until the end.

 

[exnisstech]

66 here and I recently set up an AWC on my 330g. I wasn't carrying buckets but did have to climb up and down basement stairs and roll brutes around. I still use buckets on one tank but only fill them half way. I retired at 62 and it's been slowly down hill with bad knees and hip, no insurance and an aversion to medical treatment so I deal with the pain.
I'm finding the golden years pretty much suck. My Gals 90 yo mother with Parkinsons and dementia lives with us and my Gal is her 24/7 caregiver. No vacations or trips. An hour or two away to shop is all we can do. There are 8 kids and none help out. My parents live two houses down. Dad is 93, has diabetes CHF, dementia and is deaf as a rock. Mom is his caregiver and has dementia setting in. She fell and broke a hip a few months ago and Dad ended up in the hospital after she was gone a week. My sister died 3 years ago so I don't have anyone to share the fun with. My tanks and two dogs keep me focused and provide a mental escape that I need.
It could always be worse tho.
I did talk to the owner of my LFS who services tanks also. He is willing to come and clear things out if I die and the tanks are still running. I have money set aside and he gets all the gear so that will all go away.
Done whining

I did have to cancel my plan to train Shutzhund and get a Mali to compete. A previous hobby of mine. Also a large dog deserve more than a life stuck in a small backyard.

I made it through BH certification with my male GSD before life got in the way. We still work a little but not much. We're lucky and have 5 acres mostly woods and pretty much live outside weather permitting. Dogs are very good about staying around. My boy has made himself an unofficial service dog and intervenes when he senses me getting upset. It's pretty cool. I've been around dogs my entire life but have never had one tune into my moods like has. The others would just hide when I'm upset but he does everything he can to bring me out of it.
I'm the official ball thrower.