Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Does anyone in your household help you care for the tank?

AlyciaMarie · Feb 13, 2025

I think having people care about your reef is a dream a lot of us have. Why would you not want someone to show interest in something you love? It's even better when those people want to be actively involved and help you keep your tank in tip-top shape. Maybe it is a significant other, maybe a roommate that you've converted, or maybe a kiddo who has taken a special interest in Nemo! Do you have a reef helper that makes your life a little easier?

Does anyone in your household help you care for the tank?

Crabs McJones · Feb 13, 2025

Occasionally I could get one of my girls to help me with stuff. My youngest always wanted to hold the hose when siphoning out water for water changes. But when it came to skimmer cup cleaning suddenly it was too gross

corosato · Feb 13, 2025

My whole family looks at the reef tank like it's magic and when I try to explain stuff I can see their souls leaving their body. at least they enjoy looking at it.

vlangel · Feb 13, 2025

corosato said:
My whole family looks at the reef tank like it's magic and when I try to explain stuff I can see their souls leaving their body. at least they enjoy looking at it.

I have also had that experience, LOL!

Reefer Matt · Feb 13, 2025

Three girls and a wife, none of them interested in reefing. So I don’t get any help with anything. It’s “Dad’s thing”. Lol.

Gumbies R Us · Feb 13, 2025

My wife likes to try to pull worms out of our pico tank. @AlyciaMarie

BryanM · Feb 13, 2025

Wifey does, mostly with $$ though. But sometimes when schedules conflict and we have livestock coming she'll be the one that stays home and deals with it.

RocketEngineer · Feb 13, 2025

My wife helps and has started learning the basics. But there’s a story behind that.

My current system has taken years to get going. First COVID meant it stayed in my shed for a year until I could get my two BILs to help get it inside. I built the aquascape, got it ready for water and then got laid up with medical issues. Another 18 months of the tank just sitting empty. I almost gave up. It was only after my wife agreed to help me with the physical part of maintenance such as running the hose for ATO filling and water changes that I got up the nerve to restart the system. Now the tank is cycling and the first fish should be arriving soon. Sometimes a little help goes a long way.