Reefers 60 and over

[UNCFAN]

79 here and still enjoying my reef. I do have the UPS guy put the salt in the garage for me. He does it automatically now!!

 

[ColorMeGone]

69 here. My 7 gal. reef tank runs itself and just do 3 cups a day WC. Check parameters every two weeks. Make 2 gallons of water once a week and keep my 3 dosing heads topped off and make sure my ATO is kept full. I do have two FW shrimps tanks, a Fancy goldfish tank, a planted FW tank, and a 1000 gal. above ground pond on my enclosed patio so all this and a BAD back keeping me going. lol

 

[56longroof]

I dont qualify for age as Ill be 56 this year. But physically is a different story. 20 years of building machines the size of a house has taken its toll. I have resorted to pumps for water changes. Its actually alot faster too. I can do a 30 gallon water change in about 10 minutes.

 

[bristleworm]

I'm hoping for the home assistant aquarium tending humanoid robot.
But it will probably kill me in my sleep so I dont screw up the tank, so maybe I'll just hope for a dog that fetches my slippers? idk?

 

[tripdad]

........ I have resorted to pumps for water changes. Its actually alot faster too. I can do a 30 gallon water change in about 10 minutes.

I have a small power head in my sump with a hose on it. At WC time I pump sump down, Clean it up, put new salt water into sump and turn return pump back on. Saves the siphoning gear mess.

 

[Bob Weigant]

I dont qualify for age as Ill be 56 this year. But physically is a different story. 20 years of building machines the size of a house has taken its toll. I have resorted to pumps for water changes. Its actually alot faster too. I can do a 30 gallon water change in about 10 minutes.

Your one of us

 

[Dr. Jim]

I'm 74 with no plans to give up.....in fact, I will be moving from the house I am renting (just moved to a different state) with plans of setting up a 300-400 gal tank, built in the wall, with a dedicated aquarium room behind it. I don't worry about lifting things.....water changes will be automated. And the tank will be 3' deep. Years ago I had a 500 that was 4' deep and got used to working in "deep water" so although the 3' will be challenging, I'm sure I'll manage. (I just don't like the look of tanks 8-10' long and only 2' deep!)

I'm more concerned about what will happen to everything when I'm gone so feel a little guilty about this. If my wife survives me, she knows enough to keep it going until everything is re-homed, but I just hope I have a little warning that tells me when I have to break it down.

 

[James CNM]

I have turned sixty. One of my reefs, the largest being 1200ltrs i built 2010. Many things were taking into account to make things very simple that it was childs play ie water changes etc. I assumed i had everything sorted for many years. How ever Life circumstances altered and disrupted my forseen plans that were proposed to make things simple. The only conciliation, the display i speak of was quite popular and was mentioned on reef builders and advanced aquarist.

God laughs when people make plans!

Fast forward to 2025/2026, I am back in the game, not a patch on what once was. A phoenix Rising is the way that i look at it. I may start a backdated rebuild thread here just for the hell of it


Anyway. Age is just a number, No Looking Back...Open Skies. Get on with it

 

[James CNM]

I'm more concerned about what will happen to everything when I'm gone so feel a little guilty about this. If my wife survives me, she knows enough to keep it going until everything is re-homed, but I just hope I have a little warning that tells me when I have to break it down.

Something i think about every day, I have left instructions with my weans though they don't share the same dedication but are interested in the life, i have probably planned my reef adventures and how to deal with them more than household items

 

[Billgasser]

I’m 65. My thoughts are getting a 1” SPS and it growing so slowly.
I don’t have time to buy small frags.

 

[dwest]

I’m 60 now. I’ve reefing for over 3 decades. I think this decade will be my last reefing decade. Hopefully by choice

 

[James CNM]

I’m 60 now. I’ve reefing for over 3 decades. I think this decade will be my last reefing decade. Hopefully by choice

You had enough, you making plans?

 

[James CNM]

I’m 65. My thoughts are getting a 1” SPS and it growing so slowly.
I don’t have time to buy small frags.

 

[James CNM]

Hopefully by choice

Got ya, Respect my friend. Peace

 

[skip0211]

80 years Young here. I only sacrifice to age is going from a full-blown reef to a 265 gallon Fowler tank.
Still excited every time I add a fish. I have a 5 inch Blueface angel coming this Wednesday. Can’t wait.
Added three Guam yellow tangs last month.
Fish and reefing can keep you going.
Happy briefing to all
Skip

 

[Sam7]

 

[bristleworm]

Old and i was never cool

 

[Marc G-L]

I restarted back w/ an UNS120 after a 20 yr hiatus from reefing on my 70th birthday a few months ago. Lost my 200 gal live reef tank back then to an extended hurricane outrage. That broke my heart.

With age comes wisdom. My tank is set up between two ground floor windows. Mounted a 5 stage RODI on a removable nylon French cleat near outside water faucet. Add to that 35 ft of 16mm soft pvc tubing ( waste water goes down driveway into sewer) and a large plastic 80 gal trash can and a pump that has a 12 ft lift.

All water changes/ salt mixing done w/ tubing thru windows, no buckets to carry (keeps floors dry + wife happy). 1200 amp battery back up w/ portible 200amp solar panel if electricity out for more than 30hrs.

I have severe back and neck issues but walk 25 mall miles a week, and work out hard 2x wk @ planet fitness to stay functional. My tank and all the inverts, macro algaes are my new TV set. Hope to keep it going a looking time. Good luck to all.