The dearth of spirited discussion

[Scythanith]

Originally Posted by Ryanerickson

Really? this discussion is so dead

And this is why I may stop coming here as well now. Nothing is dead, every topic can be debated and discussed.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Scythanith

And this is why I may stop coming here as well now.

Me too. Everyone knows MH is the best. Or at least everyone should. Pfft.

[albert_dao]

I would also mention that fiery opinions or debates, for whatever merit they may carry, tend to end up with a round of asinine circle-jerking before they die out. You only need to experience that so many times before you become numb to it.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by albert_dao

I would also mention that fiery opinions or debates, for whatever merit they may carry, tend to end up with a round of asinine circle-jerking before they die out. You only need to experience that so many times before you become numb to it.

Ya, there's that

[IanWR]

Originally Posted by albert_dao

I would also mention that fiery opinions or debates, for whatever merit they may carry, tend to end up with a round of asinine circle-jerking before they die out. You only need to experience that so many times before you become numb to it.

I agree, and I don't long for petty squabbles. I think I am surprised by how quickly standard practices have been settled. I must have started getting into the hobby at some sort of transition time (started looking into it about 5 years ago).

[lastlight]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Me too. Everyone knows MH is the best. Or at least everyone should. Pfft.

then why can't i sell mine? you want them?

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by lastlight

then why can't i sell mine? you want them?

Wrong size, sorry I run 400w. Saw a post today where someone is looking for some. Browse around.

[Delphinus]

I used to frequently obsess over this hobby but lately I feel almost a bit pushed away from it, and one huge driver is the sheer cost of things compared to a decade ago. Whereas in the early days, there were lots of expensive things, there were also a lot of DIY attitudes and experimentation that made things fun. I don't seem to see a lot of that cowboy'ing anymore?

Now everytime I see a new product, first of all, there's pressure to "preorder" it before it's even hit the market; and odds are good that whatever it is, I can't afford it anyhow. Part of it is my own station in life, have kids now, other expenses other priorities etc. but my own subjective feel is that it just costs more now.

[Aquattro]

I find it's actually cheaper now. My original set of Tunze pumps cost $1000. I can move the same water now for a fraction of that. Many items haven't changed at all. Bulbs are cheaper, heaters, about the same, salt, about the same. Sure, all the new fancy gimmick toys cost more, but they aren't really needed. I'm actually surprised prices have stayed as constant, or in some cases, dropped as they have.

Only thing I see costing more are frags. Where 20 years ago I could buy a whole bucket of nice frags for 100 bucks, now I get one frag.

I think keeping reefs has also become much easier. When I started, it was a craft to get a nice SPS tank. You had to work at it. Now, it seems it's add water and stir. Takes the challenge out of it

My biggest thoughts these days are thoughts of envy when I see people posting shut down sales. Maybe another year or two for me, just to get this tank where I planned, then I'm done. Just tired of it all.

[squibege]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

I used to frequently obsess over this hobby but lately I feel almost a bit pushed away from it, and one huge driver is the sheer cost of things compared to a decade ago. Whereas in the early days, there were lots of expensive things, there were also a lot of DIY attitudes and experimentation that made things fun. I don't seem to see a lot of that cowboy'ing anymore?

Now everytime I see a new product, first of all, there's pressure to "preorder" it before it's even hit the market; and odds are good that whatever it is, I can't afford it anyhow. Part of it is my own station in life, have kids now, other expenses other priorities etc. but my own subjective feel is that it just costs more now.

As a newbie I'm scared to attempt to DIY stuff.The fear of harming my tank is greater than my disappointment at shelling out $$. I saw a post on how to build a skimmer from an air stone and a waterbottle. I would WAY rather do that than spend a couple hundred bucks- but I don't trust being able to figure our how its working for my tank. Purchasing something a fancy company has poured R&D into just seems 'safer' even if it is way less fun.

Money is what has kept me at bay from starting up this hobby for years.