What is something every reefer should experience once?

[hatfielj]

See fish and corals in the wild.

Seeing Achilles tangs in Hawaii puts “is may tank large enough and have enough flow for an Achilles” into perspective. I am sure this is true for almost any species.

Definitely agree with this! I've had the privilege of snorkeling on a pristine Hawaiian reef inside of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park about 9 years ago and it was a life changing experience for me. I had never seen anything like it before and was totally blown away. It was really something. Any reefer who gets the opportunity to snorkel on a healthy reef should take it! Seeing corals thriving in their natural habitat in person is really special.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

The joy in reefing they had anticipated when getting into the hobby, and more! (There is always more.)

 

[tripdad]

A fully matured and grown out mixed reef. Including stuff growing on the rocks and between the rocks. With fat fish and inverts. It can be a real eye opener, in a good way.

 

[rayadog]

I’ll keep it simple and say having a tiny fish bite you, getting jump scared (by a huge worm or something), and getting splashed at feeding.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I’ll keep it simple and say having a tiny fish bite you, getting jump scared (by a huge worm or something), and getting splashed at feeding.

Somehow, I avoided my clowns biting me. @AlyciaMarie can tell you stories of finding worms in our pico!

 

[ScottJ]

Having a fish jump out and hit the floor while you are working on the tank. You scoop him up and get him back in, no harm done.

This will convince you of the need for some type of cover.

 

[Timbo13]

A symbiotic relationship in their tank

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

A shock?
Water and electricity don't mix.
GFCI? GL.

As a 20+ year electrician, I’ve had my fair share of shocks both 120V and 277V. It’s something I wish upon nobody.

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

Seeing a huge one of these in person.

 

[skey44]

The thrill of unboxing a beautiful rare fish or coral. This hybrid scopas/black tang is one that really stood out to me as a special moment. Sadly hard to compare a typical tang after unboxing and getting to care for something like this!
Also the anticipation of driving to the airport to pickup the boxes. Getting fish to your door is one thing, but driving two hours to the nearest major airport to pickup the goods is a different level of excitement.

 

[docscorals]

Watching and handling the shipping boxes and bags of livestock and liverock when a shipment clears customs.

I used to work for Fedex Express, all of my ex coworkers, myself included used to get really excited over our fish and coral deliveries hoping the people would let us take a peek. We really did take extra care if we knew it was fish or corals! I cant tell you how many times I've been in strangers homes to look at their tanks, everyone was always excited to share too! I miss delivering some times

Sigh. I wish they all were like that. I have one delivery person that literally throws my boxes up the walk way to my front door, including ones that say “Live Fish” and “Perishable” on the sides .

Most are awesome like you said. I’m hoping to catch the one I mentioned once and explain what’s in the boxes.

 

[winxp_man]

Beautiful Aptasia bloom

 

[JumboShrimp]

A Red Sea tank failure. NOT️

 

[KrisReef]

The thrill of unboxing a beautiful rare fish or coral. This hybrid scopas/black tang is one that really stood out to me as a special moment. Sadly hard to compare a typical tang after unboxing and getting to care for something like this!
Also the anticipation of driving to the airport to pickup the boxes. Getting fish to your door is one thing, but driving two hours to the nearest major airport to pickup the goods is a different level of excitement.

I love seeing fish being properly handled and no net messing with their scales as they move from the transport container and into their forever home.

 

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

A symbiotic relationship in their tank

Agreed! One of my favorite things in reefing.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

The thrill of unboxing a beautiful rare fish or coral. This hybrid scopas/black tang is one that really stood out to me as a special moment. Sadly hard to compare a typical tang after unboxing and getting to care for something like this!
Also the anticipation of driving to the airport to pickup the boxes. Getting fish to your door is one thing, but driving two hours to the nearest major airport to pickup the goods is a different level of excitement.

Now that is something that would be cool to do!

 

[gkprevite]

Let's have a discussion on something every reefer should experience at least once in their lives!

Success

 

[DragonWrasseFan]

The Great Barrier Reef...was amazing.

A major bucket list thing for me. Including the great white shark cage dive.

 

[DragonWrasseFan]

The thrill of unboxing a beautiful rare fish or coral. This hybrid scopas/black tang is one that really stood out to me as a special moment. Sadly hard to compare a typical tang after unboxing and getting to care for something like this!
Also the anticipation of driving to the airport to pickup the boxes. Getting fish to your door is one thing, but driving two hours to the nearest major airport to pickup the goods is a different level of excitement.

I love seeing fish being properly handled and no net messing with their scales as they move from the transport container and into their forever home.

Wait, picking up your fish by hand is better than using a net? I didn’t realize that. If so, I’ll start doing that all of the time from now on. I’ve gone back-and-forth and done both, but didn’t know which one was better for the fish.

 

[KrisReef]

Wait, picking up your fish by hand is better than using a net? I didn’t realize that. If so, I’ll start doing that all of the time from now on. I’ve gone back-and-forth and done both, but didn’t know which one was better for the fish.

Except for lionfish and scorpionfish, I try to hand catch my fish if I have to move them. I rarely move them once they get home. Nets injure a lot of fish at PetCo and other LFS, imo.

Here's a thread:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/switched-to-the-colander-avoiding-the-net.1159769/