What to do with reef tank when I go to college?

[Auquanut]

I hate to be a downer. Can't help but look at this from a parent's perspective (I'm a parent). The first year of college tends to be a HUGE change of lifestyle. So many new experiences. So many distractions. And of course, your studies take precedence over everything else.
I know it would be hard to take down the tank you've come to love, but if you give it a year, or even a semester to allow yourself to get adjusted and determine if a reef tank is something you can manage, it may be better for you and your wet friends.
Just a thought.

 

[Bluenote]

Keeping an aquarium can be a nice stress reducer and distraction, but I would recommend taking some time away to allow yourself the freedom to explore all that college has to offer. To be frank, you may end up finding another hobby you like even more. Do all you can in advance to give yourself capacity to join clubs, network, meet new friends, take additional classes, etc.

 

[Brandon3152134]

Ah I’m a senior right now and going off to college in August. I have a pretty well established reef tank, but I don’t want to tear it down. It would be something I would really miss in college and I doubt my mom would be able to take care of it. I know some colleges allow a 10 or 20 gallon tank but is that actually feasible to do? Like with all the water changes and all that.

I dose No3Po4x, so luckily I already don’t do a lot of water changes, but still.

Sell me your coral lol.

 

[Tristan]

Isn't Coral12g start with a college tank? Go see how he did it.

Yea I watched all his videos I just wanted advice from more people.

 

[Tristan]

I just saw your build thread. Please take it with you but understand when winter/summer breaks come you might have to break it down. Maybe you can sell off most fish/coral but keep it super low maintenance with you in college. Also, would you have roommmates? Are you gonna be in the dorms? Kinda hard and tight spacing.

If they have a rule re max size 10gallon/20gallon who cares lol

When you finish college you might be spending a few years paying off school loans.. but I think if you got into the hobby this young... you'll come up with a huge master tank in your 20's. College-- Exciting times!

I would likely have a roommate since it’s cheaper to have shared dorms, but if I’m able to do a single dorm, I definitely would do that. All the colleges I’m applying for require freshmans to be in dorm their first year unfortunately.

 

[Tristan]

It really is a difficult question because everyone's priorities are different. More responsibility can mean less fun and spontaneity. What if your freshman buddies decide to go on a spur of the moment road trip? "Oh sorry, fish." What if you or your roommate are big partiers? Drinking, dorm rooms and fish tanks might not mix well.

What will your water source be? Not sure you can really hook up an RODI to a dorm room community sink for hours at a time.

Will you have a vehicle to buy supplies or someone to drop them off?

Yea I was thinking about that too. Probably just find a LFS and have it all premade and RODI. luckily I’d be able to drive too to get it.

 

[Tristan]

Sell me your coral lol.

I have a bunch of Xenia, zoas, and blastos I could frag for you if you’re in Los Angeles

 

[Matt1997]

I had an 80 gallon in my 3/4th year university and a 20 gallon in first. 80 gallon transitioned to a 150 gallon once I found full time work in the city I went to school in. I made the 20 gallon an AIO system and designed it so I could leave it for 4 weeks without worry.

 

[College_Reefer]

I know this thread is a little old but I thought I would throw my $0.02 in as a senior in college who is known around campus as "that guy with the room that always glows blue". I have had a 30 gallon reef the last two years which I had to move home for COVID and now I have an IM 14 with apex so I can leave it and monitor from wherever I am and keep the 30 at home now. I have found it to be extremely rewarding and absolutely worth it. I have had to move it over 1,000 miles home and back multiple times and move it from dorm to dorm but I wouldn't change anything I've done. Oh and an added bonus, clownfish are every girl's favorite "cute" fish.

 

[Christian.]

Ah I’m a senior right now and going off to college in August. I have a pretty well established reef tank, but I don’t want to tear it down. It would be something I would really miss in college and I doubt my mom would be able to take care of it. I know some colleges allow a 10 or 20 gallon tank but is that actually feasible to do? Like with all the water changes and all that.

I dose No3Po4x, so luckily I already don’t do a lot of water changes, but still.

It's possible bro! I'm a senior in college right now and I have a 15g. Water changes are as simple as having your own RO/DI unit that you can attach to a sink or something. Just be prepared to move the tank for breaks like winter/summer. I also recommend just keeping easier stuff like LPS and softies since you will mess up the stability every few months with moving. If you have roommates just let them know not to spray stuff like cologne next to the tank.