Is reefer a hobby?

[StirCrazy]

hmm a lot of people are saying it is more than having a dog, I can tell you a dog takes up more of my time than my tank ever did. I don't see how cleaning glass for a couple min aday and dropping some food in so maybe 10 min a day, plus a hour or two on the weekend for cleaning pumps/skimmer, ect so we'll say 3 hours a week of work, and the rest is just enjoyment. ya I would say hobby and for some obsession, but you are obsessed with a hobby.

Steve

[viperfish]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

hmm a lot of people are saying it is more than having a dog, I can tell you a dog takes up more of my time than my tank ever did.

You don't have enough in your tank then, ha ha! I have three dogs by the way.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I tell newbies or non-reefers that "Crack is a cheaper addiction."

I've been diagnosed as Obsessive-Compulsive by a doctor friend so pretty much any "hobby" I get into will turn into an "obsession" or addiction anyways.

That's probably why I'm up to over 650g and over a dozen aquariums full of water (mostly sw). Fill one up, start up a new one. Fill up the house, start up one in the backyard & tell the wife its for irrigating her plants or Felicia's blueberry "farm".

I work at home so it doesn't seem like a huge time investment to me most days, since I like to take a quick break to feed the fish (5 or 8 times a day) or clean the glass or after work, at 3 in the morning, clean the skimmer collection cup or top off or add additives or feed phyto to the bbs culture or......

Hmmmm, maybe it is a lot of work & time consuming after all.

Bottom line is that it keeps me out of trouble since I don't have any other time or money to spend on getting in trouble.

Don't drink alcohol much, don't gamble, don't have any other expensive vices so this is where I choose to spend my time & resources.

Evolution of reefing:

Watch "Finding Nemo"
-> start small sw "Nemo" tank for wife
-> add another tank
-> upgrade lighting
-> add a bigger tank
-> run out of room for corals & fish
-> add another bigger tank
-> REPEAT as needed or until wife kicks you out of the house or drowns you in your sleep

(most expensive step was buying this place in order to house all the tanks & not have to move any time soon)

[fishoholic]

Originally Posted by medhatreefguy

Try this one:

Obsession - the domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc.

I think that sums it up.

100% agreed

Originally Posted by no_bs

This is not a hobby. It's an addiction, like crack. Must have. Need it. Want it.

Yep!

Originally Posted by bauder1986

Just think of how much more active your brain is now compared to before....at least you have something healthy to think about all the time to keep the ol' neurons sparking....good way to keep the amnesia and dimensia away haha but meanwhile you suffer a bad case of insomnia.

Hey, I always knew I was smrt, this proves it I do agree with the sleepless nights, I've had many of those.

Originally Posted by SeaHorse_Fanatic

I tell newbies or non-reefers that "Crack is a cheaper addiction."

Waaaayyyyyy cheaper

[kien]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

. my theory has always been to use lots and big equipment to make my job less. and once the tank was set up and established it was something to look at, not something to work on.

Steve

I share this exact philosophy :-D

I will admit that I am a little obessed with the philosophy :-)

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by medhatreefguy

You don't have enough in your tank then, ha ha! I have three dogs by the way.

hmm 150 gal total water btween two display tanks and a sump, packed full of SPS and a few fish.. what more did I need? I think a lot of it was because of lots of flow, over sized skimmer, Ca reactor, Kalk reactor, UV, chiller, ect... that I didn't have to worry about doseing which to me is a huge PITA. my theory has always been to use lots and big equipment to make my job less. and once the tank was set up and established it was something to look at, not something to work on.

Steve

[zeddy]

i find this is more of an obsession than a hobby, but when people come over and look at my tank with aw it makes it all worth it

[viperfish]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

hmm 150 gal total water btween two display tanks and a sump, packed full of SPS and a few fish.. what more did I need? I think a lot of it was because of lots of flow, over sized skimmer, Ca reactor, Kalk reactor, UV, chiller, ect... that I didn't have to worry about doseing which to me is a huge PITA. my theory has always been to use lots and big equipment to make my job less. and once the tank was set up and established it was something to look at, not something to work on.

Steve

I agree, and I have a similar setup with a 180 and a 90 and lots of gear (Only I dose two part instead of reactors). My problem is I can't just look at it! I have to be tweaking and changing, I always see an idea for improvement or a way of making it better, and I just can't rest until I try it out. My dogs are my pets, they're like a part of the family, I just don't see my tanks the same way. I see reefing as a challenge, one which you never master but you always have another idea that will get you as close to perfection as the wallet (and the Wife) will allow.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by medhatreefguy

I agree, and I have a similar setup with a 180 and a 90 and lots of gear (Only I dose two part instead of reactors). My problem is I can't just look at it! I have to be tweaking and changing, I always see an idea for improvement or a way of making it better, and I just can't rest until I try it out. My dogs are my pets, they're like a part of the family, I just don't see my tanks the same way. I see reefing as a challenge, one which you never master but you always have another idea that will get you as close to perfection as the wallet (and the Wife) will allow.

I don't even see the tank as a pet, I see it more as art. for me the obsessive part is building the equipment for the tank.. once that is done and it is up and running it is a work of art to look at, but requires a bit of maintance.

Steve