Thinking of getting out?!?!?

[Bob Weigant]

Im on my 5th round of yeah Im done only to come back. Every time I missed it but I will say I dont spend nearly as much as I used too. In a few years I want have the money I do today so I'll just keep things on a much smaller scale

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

I’d get out but I figure it would be much more work for me than to just keep going. That and I seriously think I would go mad without it as it’s really the only hobby I have left….

 

[kratosxxl]

I just started reefing again after a 10 yr break, but I spend 10 times more lol. Might not last long, but who knows. You can also do fish only to keep that awesome colorful fish you always wanted, you can do LPS/soft for easy maintenance, you can do freshwater planted although it's not easier than reef tbh, or you can do freshwater community fish. What I'm trying to say is you can change things around to restart that passion you had at one time :) For me, it was a Hawaii trip and the kids saying "I wish we had this at home" after snorkeling :) 10k + later im posting hjere :)

 

[Jimbo327]

With high cost of everything (rent, food, gas), I'm surprised more people are not getting out.

 

[elmareefer]

instead of getting out, I would take a long think and figure out what you really like about the hobby. A lot of us go "mixed reef" which at the end of the day means everything, which means your effort is also "all of it". I encourage you to honestly assess what thing or few things specifically make you happiest. is it a specific type of coral? A fish? some specific inverts?

From there, make a plan to change what you have now into only what interests you most. For example, this may mean turning your mixed reef into a clownfish and nem only system, which may further mean you can get away with a smaller tank, less maintenance, expense, etc. while maximizing your enjoyment

Hope that helps, my brain has gone there a few times, and i know i should follow my own advice, but then I converted a room in my house into a fish room, so I'm in too deep

Great advice. Everyone makes mistakes I’ve learned in this hobby. I ended up spending a boatload on mail order live rock and wish I didn’t. I’d rather have those skinny arches and the look of that compared to the big boulder look. I’m looking for 2-3 of those pieces to supplement with so if anyone has a thought on manufacturer lmk. I like the already purple stuff like real reef rock but that’s stuff is all boulders . I think it will help with my flow too being more open may equal less issues

 

[Freenow54]

I always took the whole thing over to the laundry tub. I defiantly like that idea better, even if some debris is left in the bottom . That way I will clean it more often , I always put it off . Mine are set up just like yours in square plastic tubs . Perfect see? asking questions is not being stupid Not asking and doing the same things is

 

[Freenow54]

I am not sure that anybody in a forum can make that decision for you, but it reads like you want to be talked into staying. It follows that to get to this point you have already made up your mind up to leave and are looking for somebody else's reasons to stay.

A hobby should be something that you enjoy and want to participate in, not something you need to be talked into doing or enjoying. Tear the tank down and spend your time, energy and money doing something else that you find rewarding.

Point Taken ,and I think you are correct , just thinking of my wife , and others. I enjoy the hobby for sure. I have lost 5 friends , and had to give up 2 things that I loved doing because of physical restrictions ( they were remote places to get to , and my back has a herniated disc. Even doing maintenance is a calculated exercise, not to mention the drawbacks I have had as to success .