Thinking of leaving the hobby

[TastyScrants]

Here’s my tank

I’m thinking of leaving the hobby, for a while at least, maybe longer.

I travel for work, and I’ve made reefing work for me alongside my job for the last 7 years, but now I’m starting to feel like the hobby has become a second job.

My tank is about 1.5yr old and I’ve finally cracked SPS keeping with this tank, so I’m very proud of it. Been reefing since 2009, some of my rock is that old, and my maroon clownfish is about 11 years old. It’s safe to say I have an emotional investment in this as well as the time/financial.

I dunno man, I’m not sure what it is, maybe I’m just tired of the maintenance? Or maybe it’s all the reefing media I consume on YouTube? (I don’t do Instagram/etc, just forums) I keep hearing the 80/20 rule. But feel like I’m doing 80% of the effort for 20% of the enjoyment, which clearly is not the case, as I have my weekly maintenance down to one hour!!! Feels like such a warped perspective when you consider it. I just don’t think I spend 1 hour in a week looking at my tank.

My weekly maintenance literally is:

• Friday night set RO production off.
• Saturday spend 30 minutes testing.
• Sunday morning mix and perform 23L WC in around 30mins
• Every few weeks spend an hour maintaining KH auto tester and general additive replenishment, fragging corals.

As you can see, it’s really not that intensive, say compared to a much larger system.

I guess I’m just venting but wanted to share with people who understand. My family/friends just care about me and not the tank so asking them won’t help me make decisions.

If you’re reading this then thanks! I’ve gone though tank burnout before (actually got me to really fine tune my maintenance), but this is the first time I’ve actually considered just packing it all in.

Maybe I could take up mountain biking again on my weekends instead of thinking about, and then doing the maintenance. (Work away during week so can’t enjoy tank/maintain during week)

 

[Crabs McJones]

As someone who threw in the towel, I totally feel your pain.
Personally I say don't give up. I did, and I regret it. Been itching for the past 2 years wanting to get another tank. But I made the mistake of shutting it down and selling off all my stuff, and now the other half won't let me get back in.
You gotta do what you gotta do and it'll ultimately be up to you ,but I say

 

[edsbeaker]

You should feel proud. Your tank is beautiful. I feel that this is a decision that only you can make. Over the last 30 years I have taken numerous breaks when the burden of having the tank overwhelmed the joy it brought. I think sometimes we just need a break from something that used to bring us joy. Life, though, is filled with so many things that are pulling us in all kinds of directions that sometimes we just can’t do it all. If you are not feeling the joy anymore, than it wouldn’t be the end of the world to take a break from it. Like so many of us, time might bring you back in the future.

One thing I regretted each time was the decision to sell my equipment. Hold on to it! You’ll most likely need it again sometime in the future if you do take that break.

 

[thedon986]

Automate all the things you hate to do. I added auto fish feeder and auto water change along with an ATO reservoir that lasts two weeks. ATO is my two week task, AWC lasts about 20 days, and my Plank lasts almost two months. Trident auto dosing. I check nitrate and phosphate once a week and adjust the DOS accordingly. It’s made reefing so much more enjoyable and I’m having more success because I’m not tinkering in there regularly.

 

[Science/G]

1 bucket water change, bonsai scape, growing acro colonies, a beautiful Maxima Clam. Set up a hi def camera on it so you can enjoy your reef anywhere.

 

[TastyScrants]

Thanks all for the insights and kind words, definitely helping me think more clearly about things.

@thedon986 ive already automated the tank as much as possible (due to my job and travelling) with the space/resources available to me. An AWC would be fantastic but I literally don’t have anywhere to keep a reservoir (no garage etc).

@MrGisonni great idea, I actually have a spare camera on my security system so I’ll look into this.

 

[VintageReefer]

You might be getting bored because a lot of your coral is stationary or slow growing

To revitalize your interest you should treat yourself to something new, and bright, with movement, and that grows a little quicker.

In my opinion, you have a really nice healthy tank, but it lacks something. A stand out showpiece coral. The type of thing that grabs attention from anyone who sees your tank, including yourself, even from across the room.

Change it up. Revitalize it. Get something new that impresses you every time you look at it.

Two things come to mind. You have a lot of sandbed space…a top tier lps would stand out and look incredible. Cynarina. Scolymia. Acanthophyllia. Trachyphyllia. Lobophyllia / symphyllia. Something like that

Second thing - a sick torch like a grail or a banana. Nothing stands out more than a banana grail. I grew mine from single head. It’s stunning in person

Other torches

The right torch, that appeals to you, could rope your back in with its mesmerizing tentacles flowing in the current.

Gonipora could also have the same effect

And for the sandbed things I mentioned, here’s some examples of nice ones

I think when you have a great system but get bored, step back, think about what your lacking - it could be a certain coral, it could be as simple as a color. Hypothetical thought Example “my tank lacks yellow”. Then, add something that fills the need.

A good streaming hd camera that was suggested earlier would also help you enjoy it while you’re away

 

[Science/G]

Thanks all for the insights and kind words, definitely helping me think more clearly about things.

@thedon986 ive already automated the tank as much as possible (due to my job and travelling) with the space/resources available to me. An AWC would be fantastic but I literally don’t have anywhere to keep a reservoir (no garage etc).

@MrGisonni great idea, I actually have a spare camera on my security system so I’ll look into this.

The tank is beautiful! Enjoy it as much as you can.

 

[Bob Weigant]

Ive left a few times and its time I missed it. I had 3 200 gallon tank and at one time 7 tanks in total. It did feel like a second job. Now i have 2 tanks ( 35L & 65 ) both being AIO's. Much more enjoyable and it doesnt feel like a job at all. I don"t have to travel but if I did I might feel the same as you

 

[ClearwaterReeferNoob]

I love your tank. I would be sad if you left the hobby, but at the same time, I get it. =( AMAZING tank though.

 

[ReefGeezer]

I travel all over the world and am gone as much as 2 weeks at a time. I'm typing this from a hotel in Prague. I'm gone at least 4 days out of almost every week. My tank is mature and runs itself. I think yours could also.

You have done the hard work. Set up a good ATO that will run the tank for a month or so, set your skimmer to run dry if you have one, don't worry about water changes unless something is wrong, manage alk/calcium/mag in some automated fashion (All-for Reef with dosing pump or calcium reactor), don't sweat it if the glass gets dirty - it will clean up easy enough, add an automatic feeder if there is no one you truct to feed the fish, set up a web cam... AND... get rid of everything else. Complication is your enemy.

You might be surprised to find out the corals grow better when you leave the tank alone. Don't leave the hobby without trying to do less work.

Check out my build thread. It documents my path to a low maintenance, mature tank.

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

I spend about 20 mins a week on maintenance, and many hours enjoying. It might just be time to start transitioning to a more automated or lower requirement system. Swap out some SPS for some softies, fill the tank up with faster growing stuff and set it on auto pilot.

Is your tank somewhere that you spend a lot of time anyway? When I upgraded, I dedicated a sitting area to my tank with comfy chairs and blankets. I sit there while reading, eating, even working or browsing.

In my mind the biggest draw for Acros is the ability to frag and trade. If you aren’t doing that, to me they just aren’t worth the effort and expense.

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

Complication is your enemy.

Perfectly said!

 

[p1u5h13r4m24]

I’ve been in the hobby for over 10 years. I enjoy every minute of it. I feel that sometimes it is a bit annoying because I am such a busy person, however it’s very rewarding. I have quit in the past but k always came back. I’ve also been into other hobbies that I quit and return, but this for me fills in all the gaps. If you do quit, it may be a good idea to keep the equipment for at least 2 years

 

[Aquacrazed]

Maybe get a nano like 20g? Do a 5g water change every week and that's it, you are done. Takes less than 20 min, no buckets, just use a python and a pump. You may not be able to grow massive acro colonies but you can still have a great looking tank.

I've had bigger tanks before but going back to simplicity is what will keep you in the hobby for the long term.

 

[Tamberav]

If you have been in the hobby since 2009 than it is pointless to quit as you will just be returning in 2-3 years with a post "coming back to the hobby after..."

Your opportunity to quit was the first 1-3 years of reefing....

.... so just accept your fate... you will never escape.

If you need less water changes or testing/dosing, there are hands off softy tanks which can be even more of a challenge to get "the pefect" look in.... or FOWLR which at least preserves your mature rock till you inevitably return anyways.

 

[BryanM]

Here’s my tank

I’m thinking of leaving the hobby, for a while at least, maybe longer.

I travel for work, and I’ve made reefing work for me alongside my job for the last 7 years, but now I’m starting to feel like the hobby has become a second job.

My tank is about 1.5yr old and I’ve finally cracked SPS keeping with this tank, so I’m very proud of it. Been reefing since 2009, some of my rock is that old, and my maroon clownfish is about 11 years old. It’s safe to say I have an emotional investment in this as well as the time/financial.

I dunno man, I’m not sure what it is, maybe I’m just tired of the maintenance? Or maybe it’s all the reefing media I consume on YouTube? (I don’t do Instagram/etc, just forums) I keep hearing the 80/20 rule. But feel like I’m doing 80% of the effort for 20% of the enjoyment, which clearly is not the case, as I have my weekly maintenance down to one hour!!! Feels like such a warped perspective when you consider it. I just don’t think I spend 1 hour in a week looking at my tank.

My weekly maintenance literally is:

• Friday night set RO production off.
• Saturday spend 30 minutes testing.
• Sunday morning mix and perform 23L WC in around 30mins
• Every few weeks spend an hour maintaining KH auto tester and general additive replenishment, fragging corals.

As you can see, it’s really not that intensive, say compared to a much larger system.

I guess I’m just venting but wanted to share with people who understand. My family/friends just care about me and not the tank so asking them won’t help me make decisions.

If you’re reading this then thanks! I’ve gone though tank burnout before (actually got me to really fine tune my maintenance), but this is the first time I’ve actually considered just packing it all in.

Maybe I could take up mountain biking again on my weekends instead of thinking about, and then doing the maintenance. (Work away during week so can’t enjoy tank/maintain during week)

For me, the short version of a long story goes like this: Quipped to my wife that she'd never want a fish tank, she said I was wrong, and here I am. 6 feet of reefing glory.

Wasn't my first rodeo, but previous experience was as a teenager, decades ago.

But I *KNEW* I had to keep maintenance to a minimum if I was going to enjoy it.... That really meant automation, and if possible not doing water changes.

I dose AFR, I have an automated tester for alk. Unless there's an issue That's pretty much it. And I ditched the filter mat and skimmer and only run an algae turf scrubber.

 

[jabberwock]

I did not read all the posts.

Maybe take on a mentee? Responsible neighbor kid that is interested in learning. Tank sitter when you travel...

 

[Ashish Patel]

I designed my 400-gallon system so I could spend 90% of my time enjoying the tank rather than constantly maintaining it. One of the key features is an automatic water change system / forever siphon setup that I really think is a game changer. I also went bare bottom—no sand—because I didn’t want to deal with cyano or other sandbed-related issues. Everything is set up in my basement with easy access to a mop sink, which makes cleaning super simple.

Before this, I had a 115-gallon tank in my apartment—similar to yours—with sand. I eventually removed the sand slowly and started doing 30% water changes every 4–6 weeks. That tank ran much smoother after that.

There are two things I really don’t enjoy in this hobby: testing and water changes. From what you’re describing, doing weekly water changes might actually be contributing to your burnout. I promise, your tank won’t crash if you switch to monthly water changes. I currently only do a 30% change every 5–6 months on my 400-gallon, and everything’s thriving. That said, if you go this route, you’ll want to dose trace elements and consider doing 1–2 ICP test at least until you know how much Iron, iodine, your system depletes. It’s honestly easier and more cost-effective than doing frequent water changes—especially with salt prices going up. Water changes mostly help boost trace elements and reduce a small amount of nutrients, but if your nutrient levels are already low, frequent changes might not be doing much at all besides tiring you out.


At the end of the day, maintaining your tank should feel like therapy, and many of us enjoy the process. But be realistic: can you truly commit to that level of work 365 days a year? Your system will adjust to your level of care. Simplify it and aim for a setup that can run for a month or more with minimal hands-on work beyond observation.

 

[Jungle Blue]

The 30 min testing is what stuck out to me.
I'm currently FOWLR until the Maven comes out. I'm lazy af.
I have so many other hobbies and work to tend to.

How I parallel with owning a cat (and dog) as well:
For the longest bit, I refuse to get a robo litter box because of the price.
Every day (sometimes every other other day), I spend 1-2 minutes and holding my nose scooping doodoopiss.

2 years ago during Black Friday, a robolitter was on 50% sale and I was like, welp, give it a shot. Never gonna pay full price on That.

What a life changerrrrrr! Instead of 1-2 mins daily, I spend that same amount of time every 2 weeks just changing out the whole darn sheetbag, without the smell. Like whaat. Why didn't I get it sooner .__.

Value time, simplify, enjoy more.