What causes reefing burnout, and what do you do to avoid it?

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

Per Merriam-Webster, burnout is exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation, usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration. It's a term used a lot in the work world. In fact, it's such a real issue that we had an entire nursing class unit on how to avoid it. I think it applies to reefing as well...

What do you think causes reefing burnout? And how can it be avoided?

And let's all agree not to get to this point....

 

[exnisstech]

I've been able to avoid it so far but it's only been a bit over 10 years. I think I avoid it by running multiple tanks using varying methods. It keeps me interested and when one tank is doing terrible I still have other tanks I can enjoy while I'm working on things in the tank that is doing poorly.
If I had just one tank doing as poorly as one I had a few years ago I probably would have walked away. Over 12 months of rip cleans and rock scrubbing only to have algae coming back over an over. I was blessed with a seam failure which allowed me to tear the tank down with out admitting defeat

 

[tzabor10]

Vodka dosing

 

[edsbeaker]

I've been able to avoid it so far but it's only been a bit over 10 years. I think I avoid it by running multiple tanks using varying methods. It keeps me interested and when one tank is doing terrible I still have other tanks I can enjoy while I'm working on things in the tank that is doing poorly.
If I had just one tank doing as poorly as one I had a few years ago I probably would have walked away. Over 12 months of rip cleans and rock scrubbing only to have algae coming back over an over. I was blessed with a seam failure which allowed me to tear the tank down with out admitting defeat

“Blessed” with a seam failure! The ultimate in looking on the positive side!

 

[Privateye]

Often times for me it's simply a replacement hobby that takes my attention away. In the past video games have been the biggest culprit, but also fishing, gardening, etc...

...working in aquaculture can cause a bit of burnout too, but when I worked in the aquarium trade I actually played around with my fish tanks more.

 

[vlangel]

I have had a marine tank up and running without a break since the late 90s. When I was feeling overwhelmed with family priorities, I downsized. When I was feeling bored I explored a new aspect of marine aquaria which for me was keeping and raising erected seahorses. When I was ready for a less demanding reef tank I chose animals and coral that were less demanding. There is no shame in changing what sort of reef you keep, so go ahead and change to suit where you are at in life.

 

[jackintheboxfish]

Vodka dosing

Into the tank or

For me: keep telling myself “you are a beginner and reefing is a hard hobby. Chill out”

 

[chillout-reefer-dave]

It's easy to feel defeated when "you did the right thing" and an unexpected outcome occurs. This gets all of us.
Document, learn, move on. There is a certain degree of mechanical and emotional separation that you have to maintain or else you become hard to hang out with...as a person. Remind yourself that coral don't have feelings. Money is not happiness. You can learn and grow from all experiences.

Don't vent to strangers, co-workers, or your spouse
...unless you can picture them saying "Oh yeah tell me more about your sad Zoas again?!"

Pat yourself on the back. Go back upstairs. Have a beer. Pet your dog. Hug your kid. High five your friend.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

One way to avoid slow burnout and loss of interest is to try to keep new and possibly challenging creatures. Looking at the same mature, nice tank every day for years would become much less interesting, IMO.

 

[edsbeaker]

One way to avoid slow burnout and loss of interest is to try to keep new and possibly challenging creatures. Looking at the same mature, nice tank every day for years would become much less interesting, IMO.

This is exactly what I have been experiencing lately. I am not so much burned out, but bored! I think you nailed it for me. Maybe it’s time to trade in some corals and try out something new.

 

[SantaMonica Verified Sponsor]

Maintenance. I try to eliminate all of it.

 

[jabberkaycee]

I’ve never really gotten bored or burned out with my tank. I think it’s because I work a full time job and I take care of an elderly parent, which is also a full-time job. I have a vegetable garden and the outdoor plants, which were hobbies. But my tanks is my happy place, it’s my therapy like my dogs. It keeps me sane, It calms me, helps clear my head, and gives me some me time. I probably bore know the fish.

 

[chillout-reefer-dave]

I’ve never really gotten bored or burned out with my tank. I think it’s because I work a full time job and I take care of an elderly parent, which is also a full-time job. I have a vegetable garden and the outdoor plants, which were hobbies. But my tanks is my happy place, it’s my therapy like my dogs. It keeps me sane, It calms me, helps clear my head, and gives me some me time. I probably bore know the fish.

There should be a study on the effects of reefing and depression. I bet it would show some spikes but ultimately more happiness.

 

[me & my baby]

I have had been in this hobby since 1991 , I never experienced it . The only time since I started that I haven’t had a tank up was when I had sever health issue and took a 6 year break

 

[Yon reefs]

Try not ro rush in spending so much on coral as it definetly doesnt keep it stable

 

[painter1982]

I always have a problem that needs solved. It keeps me going. I’m afraid if I feel I’ve mastered reefing then I’ll lose interest. Maybe if it gets less challenging I’ll change something, like substrate or add a calcium reactor. I’ve been into reefing since the 1980’s. I always find a problem to fix.

 

[Kellie in CA]

I was really hardcore for a long time. 15+ years with great success. But dinos have killed my passion.

Never had an issue with them before, but the last 3 years have been horrible. Tried literally everything. Spent tons, lost tons. I'm currently dino-free, but I have little optimism that they won't be back.