Why everyone jumping ship.

reeferlover

reeferlover

New member
I have seen a lot of full systems up for sale and people downsizing. What's going on. Is this Normal this time of year. I don't think I have ever seen so many systems for sale. Glws everyone. Hope all is well.
 
Many reasons can be given on why.. The most reason I think is that it was set up wrong and became more like a nightmare… Doing SW is not that easy for noobs unless helped by another member.

My favorite!! The wife gets in the way and gives the look "I do not like this"....LMAO!!
 
I am seeing a lot of people who are getting out of this and other hobbies. I think it is an unfortunate outcome of a tough economy and increased ineptitude by politicians who think taxing the cap out of the people is going to solve all ills. I don't want to get into politics here....but we continue to vote these idiots on both sides into office and then complain about how they govern. Or....or worse people don't vote and then wonder why they are being treated like a virgin on prom night.....

Government at all levels is way too large....and bloated.....
 
Lil BamBam said:
My favorite!! The wife gets in the way and gives the look "I do not like this"....LMAO!!
Click to expand...

Is this why you have 2 tanks now Dre? ;-) I tried that, gave her a tank of her own to do exactly what she liked, she quit after a month.

In other news, I'm gonna shut down my tank, who wants a fully stocked 180g mixed reef?










J/K!
 
I think it's a mixture of the economy...and some people can simply just lose interest too. This hobby can be very demanding and taxing(if you let it get out of control), so sometimes you have to take a step back and reevaluate have larger or multiple tanks.
 
Lil BamBam said:
Many reasons can be given on why.. The most reason I think is that it was set up wrong and became more like a nightmare… Doing SW is not that easy for noobs unless helped by another member.

My favorite!! The wife gets in the way and gives the look "I do not like this"....LMAO!!
Click to expand...

+1 IMO
For as long as I have been in this hobby, I have seen dozens of people get into this hobby with little to no concept of what they are getting themselves into. I still remember the first time I saw a reef tank and the emotional response was almost overwhelming and I recall how determined I was to set-up my first reef tank.

In my case, I spent months reading and preparing myself for what I was about to get involved in and vowed to myself to “do it right, or don’t do it at all”. I knew it was not going to be cheap, so I spent my money wisely and never gave up when I failed. To this day I still make mistakes but I know my limitations, both in regards to my knowledge of the hobby and financially. And I make it a point not to extend myself beyond either.

In other cases I have seen a purely emotional response and a desire for instant gratification without the desire to learn first. It seems to me that a good portion of people think that they can “learn on the job” rather than invest the time towards learning first. And this, in most cases, leads to failure, frustration and quitting.

While the economy may affect some hobbyists, as a whole I don’t think the economy has much to do with it. There are still loads of people buying 1” coral frags for hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars or colorful anemones and fish for much the same. If money is tighter than normal then the option to downsize is always there. You don’t need to have a 300+ gallon system.

Watch the boards. Take note of the questions being asked by whom, about simple basics and then notice who later has a FS thread going.

I don’t think you’ll be surprised at what you find.
 
I have to disagree. I think the economy plays a huge role. Owning an aquarium of any kind is a luxury. Sure, there are alot who can still afford the hobby, but combine the millions in this country out of work, along with the rising prices of basically everything, and it limits the amount, if any, that alot of people can afford to spend on this hobby.
 
I thnk ppl underestimate how expensive the hobby is.. Though it can be cheap if u get the right equipments.. I thnk ppl never expect anything bad to happen and when something bad does happen they are unable to cope and just "rage quit".lol To me u can do this hobby on a budget.. Just have to have self control and dnt go to big to fast and patience is key..
 
Time is also a huge factor. I think people often think a fish tank is an easier pet alternative to a dog or cat and we all know how many reefers work on their tank for hours with a furry friend laying boredly next to them.
 
After being the hobby close to 40 years now, I do believe it is a combo of the above. I did FW for many, many years before I got into SW. Worked in multiple LFS in my 20s (even Newtown & Oldtown Aquarium), staying out of the SW section completely (except to do maintenance), because I was so intimidated by the process & the expense. Not until I got BW puffers that needed to be moved up to marine, did I even consider doing SW. After I got my 1st coral though, I was hooked! Unfortunately, the puffers nipped at them & the corals won over the puffers & got re-homed. The rest is history. I think I was so comfortable with the FW process of WC, etc. I quickly learned that SW was not FW & the filtration, WC etc was completely different, I was able to switch over to the dark-side so easily. I have been running a total of around 7-8 tanks, both FW & SW for over 10 years. But I have no kids & I think that helps a lot with time & expense. Hubby won't contribute a dime towards my hobby but he does help me with the plumbing & will bring RODI water upstairs for me time to time...

What I'm saying is, this hobby is a LOT to learn--it doesn't come naturally. I think most folks see a gorgeous reef, want one like that NOW, dive in over their head, fail & quit. Then, there's the economy...
 
Herbie said:
Time is also a huge factor. I think people often think a fish tank is an easier pet alternative to a dog or cat and we all know how many reefers work on their tank for hours with a furry friend laying boredly next to them.
Click to expand...

I agree..... I just spent the last hour and half doing some regular maint on my 125.... Cleaning the sump, cleaning the skimmer, changing GFO... some acrylic cleaning... etc. If someone is not willing to put the time into the tank....then it starts to look like crap, things die off and they lose interest....and then they can no longer justify the expense. How many times have you seen "Breakdown" sales where the tank looks like they were cultivating hair algae instead of corals and fish.

For sure it is all related. Costs, the economy, people getting in over their head, committment, time.....etc.... I still have to think people are being impacted by piss poor government leadership....on both sides of the aisle. How many people have less in their take home pay the last couple of months because our taxes went up....or should I say some tax breaks were left to expire? Mine did. I did my taxes a couple of weeks ago and for the first time ever I am writing a check....a HUGE flipping check to uncle scam! My property taxes are insane... lets not forget the state income tax rate increase from last year.... yet... our governments are running deficits like crazy!!!! Our poor kids and grandkids are screwed!!! The Chineese are going to own EVERYTHING!!!

I read just this morning that the Sequester is going to hurt the some of the "Critical Programs" the DoD who has on the books like a $5 million program to learn social behavior from GOLD FISH!!!! Really....

Ok....sorry for the continued rant... It is time to go do some work on the 72....
 
Money no one has money now adays im amazed by how many people in this hobby who r on unemployment i work and get paid ok and find it hard to buy somestuff sometimes. Dont know how they do it on the obama plan. I think people lose interest fast too its cool when u go to aquarium and c nice tanks theb u buy one and as a noob u cant keep crap alive because bunch bad adivise from lfs just trying sell crap people give up as a noob i lost over 1000$ in fish my first year maybe more three out breaks of ich flukes and velvet lfs i no longer do busness with in my area bad advise 80$ worth of meds treat next day meds killed fish cause u cant use together im surprised im still here 10yrs later much wiser now
 
It is all related. People want to live lifestyles of the rich and famous, but they don't want to put in the work and strategy to make it happen. It applies to the tank as well. They want a fully stocked SPS tank with delicate fish with lights shining down from Heaven. They can't figure out why it's not working out when their instant ocean hydrometer says the salt is perfect! I have know someone who kills acanthuris weekly and wonders why, even after I told him. Blaming the economy is also a cop out. There are jobs to be had. If you are unemployed, yoi have the advantage of time on your hands to make something great happen. There is money to be made everywhere, especially within a hobby. Start building sumps or LED fixtures, or pretty looking algae turf scrubbers that work. There is money everywhere, people are too lazy to get it. Hell, a friend of mine works at a food distribution hub. They are rotating people in and out of that place by the boat load. People cry about a bad economy and no jobs, but you can make $20+/hr + insurance after a month at this place if you apply yourself. The work is there, nobody wants to "work" though.
 
Yeah. I recently sold all my coral anticipating move. I would rather sale now then be scrambling last minute. And I moved a 90 and while it went good. It was a huge P I T A. Money time huge amounts of water siting in ur living room just waiting to cause a disaster. Idk. I love this hobby. And most of the time ur stuff holds its value so u can sell and not take a huge hit. Good luck to everyone. I'm sure once u have a tank u will always have a tank. How could u not.
 
I have nightmares about moving. We would be living somewhere warm right now but Hubby said this is the last system he plumbing for me.
 
Joe Lydon said:
It is all related. People want to live lifestyles of the rich and famous, but they don't want to put in the work and strategy to make it happen. It applies to the tank as well. They want a fully stocked SPS tank with delicate fish with lights shining down from Heaven. They can't figure out why it's not working out when their instant ocean hydrometer says the salt is perfect! I have know someone who kills acanthuris weekly and wonders why, even after I told him.
Click to expand...

Kinda funny coming out u mouth . I been running reef for ten year useing same instant ocean hydrometer
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top