School project reef related

q8cyu · Feb 26, 2026

Hi, I’m going to start saying I hope I’m allowed to post this since it isn’t exactly a reef question; it’s more reef adjacent. If I’m not supposed to, I’m really sorry; this is one of the only large communities that keep fish, I know.
I have a project for a class where I have to pick a self-improvement topic and conduct research over it. I was able to choose mental/physical benefits of fish keeping, and I’ve been doing research for it.
A part of this project is to conduct your own research, so I thought I’d ask here since I don’t know anywhere else I could reach so many people with fish tanks for their experiences.
My current plan for this project is still to go to my local fish stores to ask people in person, but there are a lot more people online than there are that I could ask in the couple of days I have a chance to go to my LFS’s.
I’m going to ask the same questions to the people in person, but if anyone could chip in with any of their experiences to the questions, that would be awesome and make my research a lot better.
(I do think physical effects are kinda difficult to really notice unless you’re actively in a study or looking out for them or something like that.)
Here are the questions:

1) How long have you had an aquarium(s)?
2) How many aquariums do you have?
3) What type of aquarium do you have (sw, fw, reef, pred, sp only, etc)?
4) Have you noticed any mental effects (good or bad) since having the aquarium?
5) If yes, what specific effects (ex: lowered/raised anxiety, more/less “peace”, etc)?
6) Have you noticed any physical effects (good or bad) since having the aquarium?
7) If yes, what specific effects (ex: lower/higher blood pressure)?
8) do you have any thoughts related to the topic or haven’t thought much about it, any notes?

***I will not include any names, user names, etc., in my data. I don’t have anything sophisticated. I’m just making an Excel sheet with all my data so I can use it for the final project and for the survey research project.
***What I will include will be just the answers (most likely copied to reduce bias) to the questions formatted in a table with some sort of placeholder for each person, most likely person 1, or a made-up name.
If you don’t mind chipping in some of your experiences, it would be a huge help.
Thank you for reading. Sorry it was kinda long (I tend to write a lot and give a lot of context).
Also, if you want me to clarify anything or have any questions for me, feel free to ask. I’m happy to answer anything.
(Again, If I’m not supposed to post something like this on the site because it’s not a specific aquarium question, I’m really really sorry. This is still fish adjacent… I think.)
Again, thank you in advance (I really don’t think I could say thanks enough :) anything would really help my data since one more persons experiences I have is a little bit more data to give me a bit more credibility, and hopefully I get an A on the project too :) ).

JTP424 · Feb 26, 2026

I don't think you'll see people saying this is an inappropriate place to put this. But appreciate the cautious approach.
My recommendation would be to sign up for survey monkey and put these questions in that.
- I think you get up to 10 questions in the free version
- it will auto populate results
- We don't have to post our thoughts publically here :)

*Edit - apologies looks like the way to share via link is for paid.

But my feedback still stands, if we can respond anonymously you'd see more responses.

Gumbies R Us · Feb 26, 2026

q8cyu said:
Hi, I’m going to start saying I hope I’m allowed to post this since it isn’t exactly a reef question; it’s more reef adjacent. If I’m not supposed to, I’m really sorry; this is one of the only large communities that keep fish, I know.
I have a project for a class where I have to pick a self-improvement topic and conduct research over it. I was able to choose mental/physical benefits of fish keeping, and I’ve been doing research for it.
A part of this project is to conduct your own research, so I thought I’d ask here since I don’t know anywhere else I could reach so many people with fish tanks for their experiences.
My current plan for this project is still to go to my local fish stores to ask people in person, but there are a lot more people online than there are that I could ask in the couple of days I have a chance to go to my LFS’s.
I’m going to ask the same questions to the people in person, but if anyone could chip in with any of their experiences to the questions, that would be awesome and make my research a lot better.
(I do think physical effects are kinda difficult to really notice unless you’re actively in a study or looking out for them or something like that.)
Here are the questions:

1) How long have you had an aquarium(s)?
2) How many aquariums do you have?
3) What type of aquarium do you have (sw, fw, reef, pred, sp only, etc)?
4) Have you noticed any mental effects (good or bad) since having the aquarium?
5) If yes, what specific effects (ex: lowered/raised anxiety, more/less “peace”, etc)?
6) Have you noticed any physical effects (good or bad) since having the aquarium?
7) If yes, what specific effects (ex: lower/higher blood pressure)?
8) do you have any thoughts related to the topic or haven’t thought much about it, any notes?

***I will not include any names, user names, etc., in my data. I don’t have anything sophisticated. I’m just making an Excel sheet with all my data so I can use it for the final project and for the survey research project.
***What I will include will be just the answers (most likely copied to reduce bias) to the questions formatted in a table with some sort of placeholder for each person, most likely person 1, or a made-up name.
If you don’t mind chipping in some of your experiences, it would be a huge help.
Thank you for reading. Sorry it was kinda long (I tend to write a lot and give a lot of context).
Also, if you want me to clarify anything or have any questions for me, feel free to ask. I’m happy to answer anything.
(Again, If I’m not supposed to post something like this on the site because it’s not a specific aquarium question, I’m really really sorry. This is still fish adjacent… I think.)
Again, thank you in advance (I really don’t think I could say thanks enough :) anything would really help my data since one more persons experiences I have is a little bit more data to give me a bit more credibility, and hopefully I get an A on the project too :) ).

This is actually fine to post. We have had people want surveys done before. However, I would make sure it is anonymous for those that want to participate

Macropharyngodon · Feb 26, 2026

1) 7 Years

2) 1

3) Freshwater (29 Gallon)

4) Yes (99% good, 1% bad)

5)I have my tank where I sleep so I have noticed that the white noise from my filter/air stone, and the movement of the fish is very relaxing. Almost puts me in flow. I like to read by my tank. One negative mental effect I noticed is whenever I introduce new inhabs, I have stress basically until they get eating. With more difficult specimens - I have found that it's even more chronic. Until they really get stable.

6) I have experienced physical effects

7) Lower heart rate when tank is doing well, relaxation. High heart rate when new inhabs go in, inability to sleep sometimes.

8) Talk to people. You can learn a ton just be interacting with more knowledgeable people than yourself - "If you are the smartest person in a room you are the wrong room" type stuff

Hope this helped! Cool project.

vlangel · Feb 26, 2026

q8cyu said:
Hi, I’m going to start saying I hope I’m allowed to post this since it isn’t exactly a reef question; it’s more reef adjacent. If I’m not supposed to, I’m really sorry; this is one of the only large communities that keep fish, I know.
I have a project for a class where I have to pick a self-improvement topic and conduct research over it. I was able to choose mental/physical benefits of fish keeping, and I’ve been doing research for it.
A part of this project is to conduct your own research, so I thought I’d ask here since I don’t know anywhere else I could reach so many people with fish tanks for their experiences.
My current plan for this project is still to go to my local fish stores to ask people in person, but there are a lot more people online than there are that I could ask in the couple of days I have a chance to go to my LFS’s.
I’m going to ask the same questions to the people in person, but if anyone could chip in with any of their experiences to the questions, that would be awesome and make my research a lot better.
(I do think physical effects are kinda difficult to really notice unless you’re actively in a study or looking out for them or something like that.)
Here are the questions:

1) How long have you had an aquarium(s)?
2) How many aquariums do you have?
3) What type of aquarium do you have (sw, fw, reef, pred, sp only, etc)?
4) Have you noticed any mental effects (good or bad) since having the aquarium?
5) If yes, what specific effects (ex: lowered/raised anxiety, more/less “peace”, etc)?
6) Have you noticed any physical effects (good or bad) since having the aquarium?
7) If yes, what specific effects (ex: lower/higher blood pressure)?
8) do you have any thoughts related to the topic or haven’t thought much about it, any notes?

Again, thank you in advance (I really don’t think I could say thanks enough :) anything would really help my data since one more persons experiences I have is a little bit more data to give me a bit more credibility, and hopefully I get an A on the project too :) ).

1. I have been keeping aquariums since about 1978.
2. I have 2 aquariums: a 75g display reef and a 20g spare reef (for observation of newly acquired fish and for rogue fish that wont play nice with others) in the cabinet of the 75g.
3. 75g is a mixed reef with macroalgae,
the 20g is a macroalgae reef
4. Yes, the reef tank is a positive influence on my mental health, except when something is going wrong, which is rare.
5. I drink my coffee in the early morning while its still dark and the aquarium only has moonlights on. It is so peaceful and serene.
6. Not really other than it keeps me moving to maintain it weekly.
7. Carrying water keeps my upper body fit.
8. Being an aquarist is not as low maintenance a pet as many might assume. Be sure to do your research before tackling an aquarium.

AlyciaMarie · Feb 26, 2026

1) How long have you had an aquarium(s)?

On and off, but a total of 3 years in all.

2) How many aquariums do you have?

I had 2 - a 20g and a 40oz pico

3) What type of aquarium do you have (sw, fw, reef, pred, sp only, etc)?

Reef!

4 & 5) Have you noticed any mental effects (good or bad) since having the aquarium?

It can cause both joy and worry, depending on what's going on with the reef. When things are going well, it's enjoyable! When it's not, it's stressful.

6) Have you noticed any physical effects (good or bad) since having the aquarium?

I have not.

7) If yes, what specific effects (ex: lower/higher blood pressure)?

N/A

8) do you have any thoughts related to the topic or haven’t thought much about it, any notes?

Looks like you covered what you described you were looking to cover!

BryanM · Feb 26, 2026

q8cyu said:
1) How long have you had an aquarium(s)?
2) How many aquariums do you have?
3) What type of aquarium do you have (sw, fw, reef, pred, sp only, etc)?
4) Have you noticed any mental effects (good or bad) since having the aquarium?
5) If yes, what specific effects (ex: lowered/raised anxiety, more/less “peace”, etc)?
6) Have you noticed any physical effects (good or bad) since having the aquarium?
7) If yes, what specific effects (ex: lower/higher blood pressure)?
8) do you have any thoughts related to the topic or haven’t thought much about it, any notes?

1). two years, though 40 years ago I also had an aquarium, so maybe 5 total?
2). One.
3). Mixed reef, LPS, SPS, fish.
4). Happy wife happy life, and the tank makes the wife happy. Me? I'm getting back in to enjoying it, but when setbacks happen its mentally exhausting.
5). Happiness, anxiety, frustration, sadness. But I'm on a winning streak now, so its mostly happiness.
6). No physical effecs.
7). n/a

q8cyu · Feb 26, 2026

JTP424 said:
I don't think you'll see people saying this is an inappropriate place to put this. But appreciate the cautious approach.
My recommendation would be to sign up for survey monkey and put these questions in that.
- I think you get up to 10 questions in the free version
- it will auto populate results
- We don't have to post our thoughts publically here :)

*Edit - apologies looks like the way to share via link is for paid.

But my feedback still stands, if we can respond anonymously you'd see more responses.

I’m not to sure how to set up something to be anonymous I can maybe set up a google form I’m not sure if that would work
Thanks I’ll look into it

q8cyu · Feb 26, 2026

Macropharyngodon said:
1) 7 Years

2) 1

3) Freshwater (29 Gallon)

4) Yes (99% good, 1% bad)

5)I have my tank where I sleep so I have noticed that the white noise from my filter/air stone, and the movement of the fish is very relaxing. Almost puts me in flow. I like to read by my tank. One negative mental effect I noticed is whenever I introduce new inhabs, I have stress basically until they get eating. With more difficult specimens - I have found that it's even more chronic. Until they really get stable.

6) I have experienced physical effects

7) Lower heart rate when tank is doing well, relaxation. High heart rate when new inhabs go in, inability to sleep sometimes.

8) Talk to people. You can learn a ton just be interacting with more knowledgeable people than yourself - "If you are the smartest person in a room you are the wrong room" type stuff

Hope this helped! Cool project.

Ya this really helps thanks.

q8cyu · Feb 26, 2026

vlangel said:
q8cyu said:

Hi, I’m going to start saying I hope I’m allowed to post this since it isn’t exactly a reef question; it’s more reef adjacent. If I’m not supposed to, I’m really sorry; this is one of the only large communities that keep fish, I know.
I have a project for a class where I have to pick a self-improvement topic and conduct research over it. I was able to choose mental/physical benefits of fish keeping, and I’ve been doing research for it.
A part of this project is to conduct your own research, so I thought I’d ask here since I don’t know anywhere else I could reach so many people with fish tanks for their experiences.
My current plan for this project is still to go to my local fish stores to ask people in person, but there are a lot more people online than there are that I could ask in the couple of days I have a chance to go to my LFS’s.
I’m going to ask the same questions to the people in person, but if anyone could chip in with any of their experiences to the questions, that would be awesome and make my research a lot better.
(I do think physical effects are kinda difficult to really notice unless you’re actively in a study or looking out for them or something like that.)
Here are the questions:

1) How long have you had an aquarium(s)?
2) How many aquariums do you have?
3) What type of aquarium do you have (sw, fw, reef, pred, sp only, etc)?
4) Have you noticed any mental effects (good or bad) since having the aquarium?
5) If yes, what specific effects (ex: lowered/raised anxiety, more/less “peace”, etc)?
6) Have you noticed any physical effects (good or bad) since having the aquarium?
7) If yes, what specific effects (ex: lower/higher blood pressure)?
8) do you have any thoughts related to the topic or haven’t thought much about it, any notes?

Again, thank you in advance (I really don’t think I could say thanks enough :) anything would really help my data since one more persons experiences I have is a little bit more data to give me a bit more credibility, and hopefully I get an A on the project too :) ).

Click to expand...

1. I have been keeping aquariums since about 1978.
2. I have 2 aquariums: a 75g display reef and a 20g spare reef (for observation of newly acquired fish and for rogue fish that wont play nice with others) in the cabinet of the 75g.
3. 75g is a mixed reef with macroalgae,
the 20g is a macroalgae reef
4. Yes, the reef tank is a positive influence on my mental health, except when something is going wrong, which is rare.
5. I drink my coffee in the early morning while its still dark and the aquarium only has moonlights on. It is so peaceful and serene.
6. Not really other than it keeps me moving to maintain it weekly.
7. Carrying water keeps my upper body fit.
8. Being an aquarist is not as low maintenance a pet as many might assume. Be sure to do your research before tackling an aquarium.

Thank you

q8cyu · Feb 26, 2026

AlyciaMarie said:
1) How long have you had an aquarium(s)?

On and off, but a total of 3 years in all.

2) How many aquariums do you have?

I had 2 - a 20g and a 40oz pico

3) What type of aquarium do you have (sw, fw, reef, pred, sp only, etc)?

Reef!

4 & 5) Have you noticed any mental effects (good or bad) since having the aquarium?

It can cause both joy and worry, depending on what's going on with the reef. When things are going well, it's enjoyable! When it's not, it's stressful.

6) Have you noticed any physical effects (good or bad) since having the aquarium?

I have not.

7) If yes, what specific effects (ex: lower/higher blood pressure)?

N/A

8) do you have any thoughts related to the topic or haven’t thought much about it, any notes?

Looks like you covered what you described you were looking to cover!

Thanks

q8cyu · Feb 26, 2026

BryanM said:
q8cyu said:

1) How long have you had an aquarium(s)?
2) How many aquariums do you have?
3) What type of aquarium do you have (sw, fw, reef, pred, sp only, etc)?
4) Have you noticed any mental effects (good or bad) since having the aquarium?
5) If yes, what specific effects (ex: lowered/raised anxiety, more/less “peace”, etc)?
6) Have you noticed any physical effects (good or bad) since having the aquarium?
7) If yes, what specific effects (ex: lower/higher blood pressure)?
8) do you have any thoughts related to the topic or haven’t thought much about it, any notes?

Click to expand...

1). two years, though 40 years ago I also had an aquarium, so maybe 5 total?
2). One.
3). Mixed reef, LPS, SPS, fish.
4). Happy wife happy life, and the tank makes the wife happy. Me? I'm getting back in to enjoying it, but when setbacks happen its mentally exhausting.
5). Happiness, anxiety, frustration, sadness. But I'm on a winning streak now, so its mostly happiness.
6). No physical effecs.
7). n/a

Thank you

q8cyu · Feb 26, 2026

Gumbies R Us said:
q8cyu said:

Hi, I’m going to start saying I hope I’m allowed to post this since it isn’t exactly a reef question; it’s more reef adjacent. If I’m not supposed to, I’m really sorry; this is one of the only large communities that keep fish, I know.
I have a project for a class where I have to pick a self-improvement topic and conduct research over it. I was able to choose mental/physical benefits of fish keeping, and I’ve been doing research for it.
A part of this project is to conduct your own research, so I thought I’d ask here since I don’t know anywhere else I could reach so many people with fish tanks for their experiences.
My current plan for this project is still to go to my local fish stores to ask people in person, but there are a lot more people online than there are that I could ask in the couple of days I have a chance to go to my LFS’s.
I’m going to ask the same questions to the people in person, but if anyone could chip in with any of their experiences to the questions, that would be awesome and make my research a lot better.
(I do think physical effects are kinda difficult to really notice unless you’re actively in a study or looking out for them or something like that.)
Here are the questions:

1) How long have you had an aquarium(s)?
2) How many aquariums do you have?
3) What type of aquarium do you have (sw, fw, reef, pred, sp only, etc)?
4) Have you noticed any mental effects (good or bad) since having the aquarium?
5) If yes, what specific effects (ex: lowered/raised anxiety, more/less “peace”, etc)?
6) Have you noticed any physical effects (good or bad) since having the aquarium?
7) If yes, what specific effects (ex: lower/higher blood pressure)?
8) do you have any thoughts related to the topic or haven’t thought much about it, any notes?

***I will not include any names, user names, etc., in my data. I don’t have anything sophisticated. I’m just making an Excel sheet with all my data so I can use it for the final project and for the survey research project.
***What I will include will be just the answers (most likely copied to reduce bias) to the questions formatted in a table with some sort of placeholder for each person, most likely person 1, or a made-up name.
If you don’t mind chipping in some of your experiences, it would be a huge help.
Thank you for reading. Sorry it was kinda long (I tend to write a lot and give a lot of context).
Also, if you want me to clarify anything or have any questions for me, feel free to ask. I’m happy to answer anything.
(Again, If I’m not supposed to post something like this on the site because it’s not a specific aquarium question, I’m really really sorry. This is still fish adjacent… I think.)
Again, thank you in advance (I really don’t think I could say thanks enough :) anything would really help my data since one more persons experiences I have is a little bit more data to give me a bit more credibility, and hopefully I get an A on the project too :) ).

Click to expand...

I could look into a google form or something similar since I think that’s more anonymous if I turn off record email
I’ll look into it
Thanks

Edit- I looked into it and it does seem like a google form is easy to set up. It’s late where i am atm and I still have some homework to do tdy so I won’t be able to set it up tdy but I will try to get it in tmrw
Thanks again

q8cyu · Mar 11, 2026

q8cyu said:
Hi, I’m going to start saying I hope I’m allowed to post this since it isn’t exactly a reef question; it’s more reef adjacent. If I’m not supposed to, I’m really sorry; this is one of the only large communities that keep fish, I know.
I have a project for a class where I have to pick a self-improvement topic and conduct research over it. I was able to choose mental/physical benefits of fish keeping, and I’ve been doing research for it.
A part of this project is to conduct your own research, so I thought I’d ask here since I don’t know anywhere else I could reach so many people with fish tanks for their experiences.
My current plan for this project is still to go to my local fish stores to ask people in person, but there are a lot more people online than there are that I could ask in the couple of days I have a chance to go to my LFS’s.
I’m going to ask the same questions to the people in person, but if anyone could chip in with any of their experiences to the questions, that would be awesome and make my research a lot better.
(I do think physical effects are kinda difficult to really notice unless you’re actively in a study or looking out for them or something like that.)
Here are the questions:

1) How long have you had an aquarium(s)?
2) How many aquariums do you have?
3) What type of aquarium do you have (sw, fw, reef, pred, sp only, etc)?
4) Have you noticed any mental effects (good or bad) since having the aquarium?
5) If yes, what specific effects (ex: lowered/raised anxiety, more/less “peace”, etc)?
6) Have you noticed any physical effects (good or bad) since having the aquarium?
7) If yes, what specific effects (ex: lower/higher blood pressure)?
8) do you have any thoughts related to the topic or haven’t thought much about it, any notes?

***I will not include any names, user names, etc., in my data. I don’t have anything sophisticated. I’m just making an Excel sheet with all my data so I can use it for the final project and for the survey research project.
***What I will include will be just the answers (most likely copied to reduce bias) to the questions formatted in a table with some sort of placeholder for each person, most likely person 1, or a made-up name.
If you don’t mind chipping in some of your experiences, it would be a huge help.
Thank you for reading. Sorry it was kinda long (I tend to write a lot and give a lot of context).
Also, if you want me to clarify anything or have any questions for me, feel free to ask. I’m happy to answer anything.
(Again, If I’m not supposed to post something like this on the site because it’s not a specific aquarium question, I’m really really sorry. This is still fish adjacent… I think.)
Again, thank you in advance (I really don’t think I could say thanks enough :) anything would really help my data since one more persons experiences I have is a little bit more data to give me a bit more credibility, and hopefully I get an A on the project too :) ).

Hi, I made a google form for the questions. I belive it to be anonymous since I didn’t require to share email or anything like that.
Sorry it took so long I wanted to test it to make sure it worked with people I know before hand. If anyone would like to fill it out it’s very appreciated.
This it the link:

Physical and Mental Effects of an Aquarium

I made a google form for the survey. I think this is better. If anything’s wrong with it or you have any concerns please let me know and I’ll fix it. This is for the school project where I have to gather my own data for my topic I chose. Again I can’t thank you enough for participating it...

docs.google.com