Why do you reef?

ChadTheSpike · 12/08/2009, 05:40 PM

I was having a conversation with a non-reefer earlier today and my worst tank catastrophy came up. It was an ice storm that caused a six day power loss in sub-zero temperatures and massive road closures, I only had about a days worth of gasoline in my generator and my house and tank temperature got as low as the mid 40s. At the time, I think I had six separate display systems, several attached refugiums, some QTs and a bunch of culture tanks going. The storm caused almost a complete loss of all of my livestock. It was a horrible loss that I hope no one has to go through, ironically my four seahorses were the only thing to survive. After telling this story, my friend could not understand why I continued on with the hobby and recover my tanks. I remember at the time that I was very upset, but the idea of quitting the hobby just never occured to me; however, the conversation did get me thinking about why I continue to do it.

For me this answer is simple, I love the ocean and reefing is a way for me to have some of it with me all the time. I also love the challenge of it, it always teaches me that there is more to learn and that no matter how good my techniques are, there is always something that I can do to improve it.

It is important to keep the reasons we reef close to so that we can get through the difficult times and share our passion in the good times.

So, I pose the question to you, why do you reef?

Thanks!!

Chad (who obviously has too much time on my hands today!!)

Richard Reefer · 12/08/2009, 05:53 PM

Great topic...

I reef because it is challenging, exciting, entertaining, and much more. I love the ocean and all the life it harbors, sea life is simply amazing, for lack of a better word. I love to watch and learn about all the complexities of the life that we care for in our tank. Just as I could sit and stare at the ocean or the reefs in them, I can do the same with my tank, it's my own little slice of paradise.

ginnboy · 12/08/2009, 05:57 PM

because I love the ocean and I can teach my childen to take care of it cause they are the future and the ones to take care of it

Laddy · 12/08/2009, 05:57 PM

I reef to insure that I never have a relaxing vacation ever again!

Like just this past Thanksgiving my wife, daughter and I went to visit the inlaws.........seven days in the Rockies with snow and lots of time.

Enough time, that is, to ask myself over and over the same questions: is there enough water in the top off tank?, will the automatic feeder malfunction again like it did a year ago?, I should have decreased the photo period on the lights to control evap....stupid, stupid, stupid,........our answering machine picked up, that means the circuit didn't pop, that's good.

And then walking into our house, after spending all day trying to get home by plane, and seeing..............seeing...........what's this? Fish swimming, water contained, everything's fine. Oh the joy!!!!!!

Hey it's what we do, Chad.

ChadTheSpike · 12/08/2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laddy

I reef to insure that I never have a relaxing vacation ever again!

Like just this past Thanksgiving my wife, daughter and I went to visit the inlaws.........seven days in the Rockies with snow and lots of time.

Enough time, that is, to ask myself over and over the same questions: is there enough water in the top off tank?, will the automatic feeder malfunction again like it did a year ago?, I should have decreased the photo period on the lights to control evap....stupid, stupid, stupid,........our answering machine picked up, that means the circuit didn't pop, that's good.

And then walking into our house, after spending all day trying to get home by plane, and seeing..............seeing...........what's this? Fish swimming, water contained, everything's fine. Oh the joy!!!!!!

Hey it's what we do, Chad.

haha! I can totally relate to your post!! its funny though, when I was reading the first paragraph I was thinking that your non-relaxing vacation would be spent snorkelling and exploring reefs... But, even when I am snorkelling and exploring reefs, I still think about my tank and the various things that I hope are being done while I am away!!

I agree, its what we do. That is simply put, and I love it.

insane · 12/08/2009, 06:04 PM

On the serious side, because it is challenging and beautiful. The animals are incredible.

On the silly side, because an aiptasia told me "If you build it, they will come"

davocean · 12/08/2009, 06:10 PM

I was told reefers get all the hot babes...

Necsones · 12/08/2009, 06:13 PM

I reef because its so relexing to just stair into ur tank for hours lol.

mdntrdr · 12/08/2009, 06:13 PM

because an aiptasia told me "If you build it, they will come"

LMAO!

SeasonedReefer · 12/08/2009, 06:14 PM

I reef for the BEER and The B*tches!

ChadTheSpike · 12/08/2009, 06:16 PM

You all's posts are great!! keep 'em coming"

I too can (and do) stare at my tank for hours... you never know what you are going to see!

SaltieG · 12/08/2009, 06:25 PM

I have asked myself this question many times and I guess the reason I do it is because I have always found ocean life very fascinating and exciting, so to have my own little piece is pretty neat. Its also just something for me to do around here although it can be a headache at times.

I really do not know how the heck i got into this hobby in the first place. I had never ever been interested in this sort of thing and then one day I went over a buddys house and saw his freshwater tank. I thought hmmm these things are pretty neat and relaxing to just watch. So anyways I went out and started up a 55g freshwater tank and then a couple months later got the urge to try a marine tank. Ever since then its been what it is now. I really do enjoy reefing and I also enjoy keeping my FW tank. My goal is to have one nice reef tank and one nice planted FW discus tank.

Ritten · 12/08/2009, 06:26 PM

Saw a saltwater tank in a store when I was a little girl and just knew one day I would have one.

Beandawg · 12/08/2009, 06:30 PM

I wish I could stop. My addictive personality won't let me.

Peale · 12/08/2009, 06:54 PM

Fish and the ocean have just always been a 'part' of me. I have always been drawn to water and all the little critters in it.

When I was growing up we had horses, dogs, cats, birds...but I was not allowed to have a tank because 'fish are dirty'. LOL! Well, as soon as I moved out of my parent's house, I had my tanks. I started with fresh and soon got bored. I emptied out my tank and started a salt tank cycling. I knew nothing and learned from all the mistakes I made/make. I will always have a tank and will always enjoy every minute of it!

jb61264 · 12/08/2009, 06:59 PM

I love the hobby because it is challenging and very gratifying. It also satisfies the science geek in me when you consider the "chemistry"...the "biology"...the "physics" that are involved.

I get strange looks when people ask me about why I'm in the hobby and most of the time I tell them that some people have a car in their garage that they spend thousands of dollars restoring....I spend hundreds on the underwater garden in my living room

sedor · 12/08/2009, 06:59 PM

I just like the idea of building and maintaining my own little ecosystem. Its somewhat of a god-like feeling. Also, its the perfect hobby for a personality like my own that is constantly wanting to research and tweak my system.

phenom5 · 12/08/2009, 07:07 PM

A reef tank is cheaper (not by much

) than flying to Fiji every weekend to go diving.

NaClCrocodile · 12/08/2009, 07:09 PM

Taking a marine science course this year and took one look before I knew I'd have one.

ChadTheSpike · 12/08/2009, 07:25 PM

These are great!

By the way I was just editing some pictures, and found this one that my girlfriend had taken... I didnt know she had taken it... a picture is worth a thousand words.

fufu · 12/08/2009, 07:26 PM

the joy of having things upgraded; skimmers, reactors etc...

fishguy84 · 12/08/2009, 07:28 PM

It's like a high.

After a long day at work, almost no matter how bad it is, if I see something in the tank that I didn't notice before... all negative emotions go out the window while I stare forever trying to figure out whats going on.

hummermaniac88 · 12/08/2009, 07:35 PM

Montreal is far from any body of water that houses amazing species like oceans. Owning an aquarium allows me to see things that i would only see on vacation, I would say it's semi-therapeutic.

Zebodog · 12/08/2009, 07:40 PM

I needed something to drain my bank accounts.

Nerd1717 · 12/08/2009, 07:51 PM

I got into it because the Bengals (I live in Cincinnati) had a bye week and I was bored as sin. I went to the phone store, which is next to the pet store, and ended up with a reef tank. Wierd.

12/08/2009, 05:40 PM	#1
ChadTheSpike Reef Engineer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Washington DC Posts: 1,526 Blog Entries: 1	Why do you reef? I was having a conversation with a non-reefer earlier today and my worst tank catastrophy came up. It was an ice storm that caused a six day power loss in sub-zero temperatures and massive road closures, I only had about a days worth of gasoline in my generator and my house and tank temperature got as low as the mid 40s. At the time, I think I had six separate display systems, several attached refugiums, some QTs and a bunch of culture tanks going. The storm caused almost a complete loss of all of my livestock. It was a horrible loss that I hope no one has to go through, ironically my four seahorses were the only thing to survive. After telling this story, my friend could not understand why I continued on with the hobby and recover my tanks. I remember at the time that I was very upset, but the idea of quitting the hobby just never occured to me; however, the conversation did get me thinking about why I continue to do it. For me this answer is simple, I love the ocean and reefing is a way for me to have some of it with me all the time. I also love the challenge of it, it always teaches me that there is more to learn and that no matter how good my techniques are, there is always something that I can do to improve it. It is important to keep the reasons we reef close to so that we can get through the difficult times and share our passion in the good times. So, I pose the question to you, why do you reef? Thanks!! Chad (who obviously has too much time on my hands today!!) __________________ ~Chad "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies." Current Tank Info: 195 gallons of fun

12/08/2009, 05:53 PM	#2
Richard Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Summerville, SC Posts: 151	Great topic... I reef because it is challenging, exciting, entertaining, and much more. I love the ocean and all the life it harbors, sea life is simply amazing, for lack of a better word. I love to watch and learn about all the complexities of the life that we care for in our tank. Just as I could sit and stare at the ocean or the reefs in them, I can do the same with my tank, it's my own little slice of paradise. __________________ Shallow & Rimless

12/08/2009, 05:57 PM	#4
Laddy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Standing Tall on the Quarterdeck Posts: 1,001	I reef to insure that I never have a relaxing vacation ever again! Like just this past Thanksgiving my wife, daughter and I went to visit the inlaws.........seven days in the Rockies with snow and lots of time. Enough time, that is, to ask myself over and over the same questions: is there enough water in the top off tank?, will the automatic feeder malfunction again like it did a year ago?, I should have decreased the photo period on the lights to control evap....stupid, stupid, stupid,........our answering machine picked up, that means the circuit didn't pop, that's good. And then walking into our house, after spending all day trying to get home by plane, and seeing..............seeing...........what's this? Fish swimming, water contained, everything's fine. Oh the joy!!!!!! Hey it's what we do, Chad. __________________ James Hobbies: I enjoy moving water from point A, to point B, back to point A WANTED: True ATL Appleberry Palawanensis Frag, PM me. Current Tank Info: Current Build: 180 Reef; 55 holding tank

12/08/2009, 06:10 PM	#7
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I was told reefers get all the hot babes... __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

12/08/2009, 06:13 PM	#9
mdntrdr Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 550	because an aiptasia told me "If you build it, they will come" LMAO! __________________ Midnight Rider Current Tank Info: 220G. AGA ~ RR ~ SSB mixed reef ~ 40G. DSB sump/fuge ~ GFO and GAC reactors ~ 72" Aqualight Pro ~ MRC-MR2 Skimmer ~ THAT'S HOW I RIDE!!!!

12/08/2009, 05:57 PM	#3
ginnboy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: jesup,ga Posts: 124	because I love the ocean and I can teach my childen to take care of it cause they are the future and the ones to take care of it

12/08/2009, 06:04 PM	#6
insane Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: under your bed Posts: 771 Blog Entries: 7	On the serious side, because it is challenging and beautiful. The animals are incredible. On the silly side, because an aiptasia told me "If you build it, they will come"

12/08/2009, 06:13 PM	#8
Necsones Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Yonkers, NY Posts: 122	I reef because its so relexing to just stair into ur tank for hours lol.

12/08/2009, 06:14 PM	#10
SeasonedReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ft. Wayne Posts: 341	I reef for the BEER and The B*tches! __________________ Rogge Current Tank Info: 90 gallon lps,sps tank

12/08/2009, 06:16 PM	#11
ChadTheSpike Reef Engineer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Washington DC Posts: 1,526 Blog Entries: 1	You all's posts are great!! keep 'em coming" I too can (and do) stare at my tank for hours... you never know what you are going to see! __________________ ~Chad "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies." Current Tank Info: 195 gallons of fun

12/08/2009, 06:25 PM	#12
SaltieG Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Mentor on the Lake, Ohio Posts: 745	I have asked myself this question many times and I guess the reason I do it is because I have always found ocean life very fascinating and exciting, so to have my own little piece is pretty neat. Its also just something for me to do around here although it can be a headache at times. I really do not know how the heck i got into this hobby in the first place. I had never ever been interested in this sort of thing and then one day I went over a buddys house and saw his freshwater tank. I thought hmmm these things are pretty neat and relaxing to just watch. So anyways I went out and started up a 55g freshwater tank and then a couple months later got the urge to try a marine tank. Ever since then its been what it is now. I really do enjoy reefing and I also enjoy keeping my FW tank. My goal is to have one nice reef tank and one nice planted FW discus tank. __________________ 125 Reef.

12/08/2009, 06:26 PM	#13
Ritten Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 2,164	Saw a saltwater tank in a store when I was a little girl and just knew one day I would have one.

12/08/2009, 06:30 PM	#14
Beandawg I see whatchu did there. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Central CT Posts: 666	I wish I could stop. My addictive personality won't let me.

12/08/2009, 06:54 PM	#15
Peale Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vermont Posts: 296	Fish and the ocean have just always been a 'part' of me. I have always been drawn to water and all the little critters in it. When I was growing up we had horses, dogs, cats, birds...but I was not allowed to have a tank because 'fish are dirty'. LOL! Well, as soon as I moved out of my parent's house, I had my tanks. I started with fresh and soon got bored. I emptied out my tank and started a salt tank cycling. I knew nothing and learned from all the mistakes I made/make. I will always have a tank and will always enjoy every minute of it!

12/08/2009, 06:59 PM	#16
jb61264 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 1,112	I love the hobby because it is challenging and very gratifying. It also satisfies the science geek in me when you consider the "chemistry"...the "biology"...the "physics" that are involved. I get strange looks when people ask me about why I'm in the hobby and most of the time I tell them that some people have a car in their garage that they spend thousands of dollars restoring....I spend hundreds on the underwater garden in my living room __________________ In the end (and the begining) we're all just stardust anyway... Current Tank Info: 75 gallon SPS reef/55 gallon sump/6x54W TEK T5HO/Reef Octopus 200 Extreme Skimmer/Reef Octopus Single Chamber Calcium Reactor/RKL

12/08/2009, 06:59 PM	#17
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	I just like the idea of building and maintaining my own little ecosystem. Its somewhat of a god-like feeling. Also, its the perfect hobby for a personality like my own that is constantly wanting to research and tweak my system. __________________ Ryan

12/08/2009, 07:07 PM	#18
phenom5 Unregistered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,096	A reef tank is cheaper (not by much ) than flying to Fiji every weekend to go diving. __________________ Rob Current Tank Info: DSA 155 Pro \| ATI Sunpower \| ATB 840 v2 \| Apex \| Wav

12/08/2009, 07:09 PM	#19
NaClCrocodile Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 400	Taking a marine science course this year and took one look before I knew I'd have one.

12/08/2009, 07:25 PM	#20
ChadTheSpike Reef Engineer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Washington DC Posts: 1,526 Blog Entries: 1	These are great! By the way I was just editing some pictures, and found this one that my girlfriend had taken... I didnt know she had taken it... a picture is worth a thousand words. __________________ ~Chad "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies." Current Tank Info: 195 gallons of fun

12/08/2009, 07:26 PM	#21
fufu Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 432	the joy of having things upgraded; skimmers, reactors etc...

12/08/2009, 07:28 PM	#22
fishguy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Barrington, NJ Posts: 60	It's like a high. After a long day at work, almost no matter how bad it is, if I see something in the tank that I didn't notice before... all negative emotions go out the window while I stare forever trying to figure out whats going on.

12/08/2009, 07:35 PM	#23
hummermaniac88 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 263	Montreal is far from any body of water that houses amazing species like oceans. Owning an aquarium allows me to see things that i would only see on vacation, I would say it's semi-therapeutic. __________________ Click on my little red house for my 135G Build! Current Tank Info: 135G + 33G REF + 25ish G Bin

12/08/2009, 07:40 PM	#24
Zebodog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 692	I needed something to drain my bank accounts.

12/08/2009, 07:51 PM	#25
Nerd1717 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 127	I got into it because the Bengals (I live in Cincinnati) had a bye week and I was bored as sin. I went to the phone store, which is next to the pet store, and ended up with a reef tank. Wierd.