What do you enjoy the most as a reefer?

[PanchoG]

Hello, I have been reading very different things people enjoy in our hobby, some people enjoy caring for fish or coral, others are about the equipment and have control over a mini ecosystem, some people like me feel calmed and eased by working on my reef and seeing its creatures.

I believe it can be interesting if we share our stories.

As I said I find working in my reef therapeutic, and also find calm on looking at it.

 

[GoVols]

With the lifestyle that my family has now, reefing is therapeutic for me.

Pretty much year round and like all aspects.

This was more of an hardware year for me, but it's not like that from year to year.

 

[ScottR]

I love ignoring my 2 children because they irritate me while I meditate in front of a blue-light glass tank full of thousands of dollars that could’ve been wasted on lottery tickets. My true getaway.

 

[Bob Weigant]

Stressful work days and all other life issues always lead me to the garage where my tanks are. I can sit on the couch and just chill and watch the reefs and FO. Very calming and I can stay out there for hours

 

[Johnnybananas]

Watching my tank grow from little frags to full colonies and the fish growing bigger and more colorful so much to love in this hobby!

 

[Phycodurus]

... i enjoy the fat wallet and the well-funded rainy day savings account the most ... said no reefer ever. ;Hilarious

i love having my own little piece of the ocean ... thank you, jacques cousteau for inspiring me when i was a wide-eyed fascinated kid (now a wide-eyed fascinated adult).

 

[Evan28395950]

Crazy colors of corals

 

[Scorpius]

Life lessons. Like how to deal with failure and the unknown reasons behind it and that it's just money. Worrying is a disease that eats away at your happiness.

 

[PanchoG]

Life lessons. Like how to deal with failure and the unknown reasons behind it and that it's just money. Worrying is a disease that eats away at your happiness.

I didn’t think about this one, very interesting.

 

[Flippers4pups]

The therapeutic, calming effect on us humans is huge. Distracts us from reality and the daily grind of life. It has had a huge impact on me personally. It's my escape and Zen.

This will be apart of "Part 2, The psychology of reefing" article I'm working on.

Since we are on this subject, here's that article if you wish to read it:

An Essay: The Psychology of Reefing

An essay on the psychology of keeping a reef tank.

www.reef2reef.com

Happy reefing!

 

[PanchoG]

The therapeutic, calming effect on us humans is huge. Distracts us from reality and the daily grind of life. It has had a huge impact on me personally. It's my escape and Zen.

This will be apart of "Part 2, The psychology of reefing" article I'm working on.

Since we are on this subject, here's that article if you wish to read it:

An Essay: The Psychology of Reefing

An essay on the psychology of keeping a reef tank.

www.reef2reef.com

Happy reefing!

Good article @Flippers4pups ! thanks for sharing !

 

[ZsWithTheFishes]

It would be a hard decision between ecosystem control and therapy, but the former wins out. I have 15 little ecosystems in my house, all with their own feel. With my two reefs specifically I like the therapy of the parameter control and the science behind keeping everything healthy.

 

[Auquanut]

I voted for several options, but therapeutic is number 1. I'm kind of surprised how many reefers find this "razor's edge" hobby calming and relaxing. I actually enjoy water changes and all of the other maintenance involved. It helps keep me focused. Are we all just insane? Or is there something intrinsic to reef keeping that is actually good for our psychological well-being?

 

[PanchoG]

I voted for several options, but therapeutic is number 1. I'm kind of surprised how many reefers find this "razor's edge" hobby calming and relaxing. I actually enjoy water changes and all of the other maintenance involved. It helps keep me focused. Are we all just insane? Or is there something intrinsic to reef keeping that is actually good for our psychological well-being?

That is so true, why is so calming if it is so difficult son”razor edge”? I experience at least the same calm of keeping my mind focus and my body working. Many psychologists recommend people to get busy I guess it helps the mind to unwind?

 

[Jettareefer223]

My vote is corals because I enjoy the challenge and it’s cool to watch things take shape and chasing the best colors keeps me interested. I think of it as a garden, because there’s invasive species, a lot of green, weeds like aiptasia’a/various algae’s, and etc lots of parallels lol. While I enjoy fish as well and most of my current ones have been with me a long while. They all have behavioral issues and or do things they’re not supposed to do . For example my purple tang I got him when he’s was 1.50” didn’t take long for my angel to peck one of his eyes out. On top of being deformed he picks on all corals (ruined two $300 welso’s). He’s just overly aggressive more so then your typical purple he has a complex lol. Just one example it kind of sours the fish for me....

 

[rodney]

My favorite thing is to take pictures every few weeks and watching my coral grow.

 

[Dave Cureton]

Definitely fish and corals for me. I love watching sps corals grow and color up, lps and softies swaying in the flow, and fish for the movement and personality they bring to an aquarium. I guess all that equals therapy.

 

[PanchoG]

My favorite thing is to take pictures every few weeks and watching my coral grow.

Oh yes, I completely overlooked the photography piece ! there are several accomplished members here.

 

[sfin52]

the people

 

[PanchoG]

the people

Thank you for this post @sfin52 , I also enjoy working admiring a tank with my family, R2R community and my friends in the LFS.