Returning to the hobby after 17 years

I’ve had aquariums my entire life. In 2003 I built a custom reef tank from scratch. I did the plumbing, the electrical for the lighting, built a stand around my sump. It was my pride and joy. 110 gal aquarium with a 40 gal sump. I’ll attach a picture. Due to unforeseen circumstances related to the financial crisis in 2008, we lost our house and couldn’t take the system or its inhabitants with us. It was devastating. Fortunately, I had developed a relationship/friendship with my local fish store owner and he agreed to recover the equipment and the animals within the system. At least they weren’t left to perish. I left the hobby due to this experience. Recently, I got the itch and decided to return to the hobby. I now have a modest 36 gal bowfront and I’m giddy with the excitement of accessing all that unused knowledge and experience. So happy to be back in the hobby and hoping to develop some new friendships!

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Welcome back to the hobby and to the forums! Good luck with the new 36g.
 
welcome! feels a little like my comeback except i wasn’t as DIY as you were. i’m a year back into it. Every day the hobby brings some type of joy, even if minor. Well, maybe not every day.
I fell right back into it. One month in since I started adding fish and I already have my routine established every morning. It’s not a chore at all. It’s a pleasure and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. It’s like all that experience and knowledge was just waiting to be accessed and applied. Like riding a bike!
 

WHAT PART OF LIVING WITH A REEF TOOK YOU BY SURPRISE?

  • How much space the supplies and equipment take up

    Votes: 10 41.7%
  • Salt creep, spills, and cleanup outside the tank

    Votes: 3 12.5%
  • Planning trips or finding someone to care for the reef

    Votes: 7 29.2%
  • How attached I’d get to individual animals

    Votes: 2 8.3%
  • Making decisions when there’s no clear right answer

    Votes: 5 20.8%
  • How much the reef affects everyday household life

    Votes: 6 25.0%
  • Nothing in particular, I felt well prepared

    Votes: 1 4.2%
  • Other (Post in the comments)

    Votes: 1 4.2%
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