Should I Dive Back In? The Salty Pull is Real...

[New&no clue]

Hey R2R crew!

It's been a while. About 6 years ago, I started my very first saltwater tank —then… life happened. Between a move, career changes, and having young kids, I stepped away from the tank with the plan to take a break — you know, "just until the kids are older."

Well… they're not that much older, but lately… those shimmery LED lights have been calling to me like a siren song made of salt creep and RO/DI water. I've found myself staring longingly at old tank pics, wandering into fish stores for no reason, whispering "maybe just a nano" like I don't know how this ends.

So here's the big question:
Should I jump back in? Or should I walk away before I end up elbows-deep in a sump again?

If you've taken a break and returned — how did it go?
Has the hobby changed? Are things more plug-and-play or still wildly overcomplicated in the best possible way?
Talk me into it (or out of it, if you must). I'm ready for encouragement, warnings, gear recs, and any photos of ridiculously cute gobies.

I would love to hear your thoughts-

Also, if it does happen… I've got my eye on something unique for the comeback tank. (More on that if I commit!)

Appreciate any encouragement, wisdom, or honest "do it!" shoves.

 

[Nor'easter Reefer]

 

[Gumbies R Us]

There is always a time and place to come back to the hobby! I say do it!

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Hey R2R crew!

It's been a while. About 6 years ago, I started my very first saltwater tank —then… life happened. Between a move, career changes, and having young kids, I stepped away from the tank with the plan to take a break — you know, "just until the kids are older."

Well… they're not that much older, but lately… those shimmery LED lights have been calling to me like a siren song made of salt creep and RO/DI water. I've found myself staring longingly at old tank pics, wandering into fish stores for no reason, whispering "maybe just a nano" like I don't know how this ends.

So here's the big question:
Should I jump back in? Or should I walk away before I end up elbows-deep in a sump again?

If you've taken a break and returned — how did it go?
Has the hobby changed? Are things more plug-and-play or still wildly overcomplicated in the best possible way?
Talk me into it (or out of it, if you must). I'm ready for encouragement, warnings, gear recs, and any photos of ridiculously cute gobies.

I would love to hear your thoughts-

Also, if it does happen… I've got my eye on something unique for the comeback tank. (More on that if I commit!)

Appreciate any encouragement, wisdom, or honest "do it!" shoves.

welcome back. Some things have changed some has not. In 6 years, probably not a ton.

Did you do corals before? if so what kind? Yes you should definitely dive back in.

 

[Reefering1]

 

[Goaway]

Only led lights are really changing from what I seen.

There seems to be more equipment options out there. I am not looking so... Depending on what you want, I am sure there are a few people who can give you the list of changes and stay away froms.

Prices have gone up a little bit. Fish not so much. Torches are dropping in price. A lot of the higher end corals are going down. They must be looking for something new to hype now.

I have 2 sons, 1 yr old and a 6 yr old. 7yr old doberman, 112g reef... And the reef is still less work than the dog.

Parents know. We don't get time off. And kids keep us on our tip toes as much as they can.

So, get back into the game. Get the uglies dealt with. Kick off the shoes and relax for 5 minutes until the kids start screaming!

 

[New&no clue]

 

[Goaway]

Oh and welcome back!

It was always nice talking with you and @fishface NJ

 

[New&no clue]

My last tank before shutting down

 

[fishface NJ]

Come back @New&no clue!!!! We need our girls here.

Did you save any equipment?

 

[New&no clue]

Oh and welcome back!

It was always nice talking with you and @fishface NJ

Come back @New&no clue!!!! We need our girls here.

Did you save any equipment?

That's one think I miss the most… The Community

 

[New&no clue]

Did you save any equipment?

Also no

 

[fishface NJ]

Also no

Ahhhh new toys!!!!!!!!

 

[strich]

Wow what a tank! That must have been quite the tank shut down - Was it a lot of effort and what was the last straw that broke that caused you to take the sledge hammer out?

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

beautiful tank. I think some of us will be coming to you for answers.

 

[New&no clue]

Wow what a tank! That must have been quite the tank shut down - Was it a lot of effort and what was the last straw that broke that caused you to take the sledge hammer out?

We moved from Maine to West Virginia. And I wanted to take a break. Plus, I was starting a new job and knew I wouldn't have much time

 

[New&no clue]

beautiful tank. I think some of us will be coming to you for answers.

Thank you, it was a labor of love. And I'm worried about the labor part. Also, last time I had a whole basement fish room setup

 

[BryanM]

Hey R2R crew!

It's been a while. About 6 years ago, I started my very first saltwater tank —then… life happened. Between a move, career changes, and having young kids, I stepped away from the tank with the plan to take a break — you know, "just until the kids are older."

Well… they're not that much older, but lately… those shimmery LED lights have been calling to me like a siren song made of salt creep and RO/DI water. I've found myself staring longingly at old tank pics, wandering into fish stores for no reason, whispering "maybe just a nano" like I don't know how this ends.

So here's the big question:
Should I jump back in? Or should I walk away before I end up elbows-deep in a sump again?

If you've taken a break and returned — how did it go?
Has the hobby changed? Are things more plug-and-play or still wildly overcomplicated in the best possible way?
Talk me into it (or out of it, if you must). I'm ready for encouragement, warnings, gear recs, and any photos of ridiculously cute gobies.

I would love to hear your thoughts-

Also, if it does happen… I've got my eye on something unique for the comeback tank. (More on that if I commit!)

Appreciate any encouragement, wisdom, or honest "do it!" shoves.

Do it, and I want details on the comeback tank! LETS GO!!

 

[-XENOMORPH-]

How many gallons are you thinking?
How much space ?
Sump or aio?
What types coral or fish?
Price limits?
Variables man, variables.....
But heck yeah, come back in, the water is fine.

 

[New&no clue]

How many gallons are you thinking?
How much space ?
Sump or aio?
What types coral or fish?
Price limits?
Variables man, variables.....
But heck yeah, come back in, the water is fine.

How many gallons are you thinking?
-I am debating between 60 and 100. My bank account will hate me for going bigger, but my future self will hate me for going smaller.

How much space?
-I am thinking of a peninsula to divide my kitchen and living room

Sump or aio?
-probably sump

What types coral or fish?
-I am thinking of a species-specific tank this time

Price limits?
-I'd love to stay under $10K, but realistically probably $15K