Why have so many people quit the hobby? Too expensive for reefers to continue. When I started reefing 10+ years ago people including myself gave coral away. In stores green torch were just $15 a head now $150, zoas were given away. People who named corals have really price gouged everyone. People who are to blame are those buying them. Anyone starting a new reef take hit me up ill give you the first few corals for free.
So many have quit
- Thread starter DEWreefing
- Start date
Funny….ReefBuilders just posted an article about this a few hours before you posted!
https://reefbuilders.com/2023/07/11/is-the-hobby-less-fun-than-it-used-to-be/
IMO a lot of it has to do with expectations. I think in this hobby it’s easy to get lost in the fog of social media tanks/corals, and we tend to compare our tanks to the most polished and expensive tanks we see online. I definitely get caught in the hype of designer corals, but I have to remind myself that I don’t NEED the most expensive or rarest coral to have a satisfying tank. I’ve only been on this forum for a few weeks now, but I’ve noticed that there are a lot of good deals and steals to be found - you just have to be patient. In my local club, we try to have regular frag swaps / meetups, which can help new people dive even deeper into the hobby, and it can also serve as a way to build camaraderie and share the wealth a bit. Plus it’s nice to know that some local peeps have your corals, so if you ever have a tank crash or lose a piece you’ll have a back up!
https://reefbuilders.com/2023/07/11/is-the-hobby-less-fun-than-it-used-to-be/
IMO a lot of it has to do with expectations. I think in this hobby it’s easy to get lost in the fog of social media tanks/corals, and we tend to compare our tanks to the most polished and expensive tanks we see online. I definitely get caught in the hype of designer corals, but I have to remind myself that I don’t NEED the most expensive or rarest coral to have a satisfying tank. I’ve only been on this forum for a few weeks now, but I’ve noticed that there are a lot of good deals and steals to be found - you just have to be patient. In my local club, we try to have regular frag swaps / meetups, which can help new people dive even deeper into the hobby, and it can also serve as a way to build camaraderie and share the wealth a bit. Plus it’s nice to know that some local peeps have your corals, so if you ever have a tank crash or lose a piece you’ll have a back up!
I agree that was the biggest thing that caught my eye…maybe it’s true when you’re only considering budget equipment, but I worked at a LFS for a few years and tank prices were crazy…He’s been with Reef Builders for a few months now, and I think he usually writes good articles but sometimes it feels like he’s pulling stuff out of his ass 
I agree that was the biggest thing that caught my eye…maybe it’s true when you’re only considering budget equipment, but I worked at a LFS for a few years and tank prices were crazy…He’s been with Reef Builders for a few months now, and I think he usually writes good articles but sometimes it feels like he’s pulling stuff out of his ass
I'll always have some rastas, rainbow Hornets, and pink koji nepthea for those starting as well! I think prices all around are pretty high and intimidating for those just starting. I recently was looking to buy the gryphon aquasaw and price has jumped from 300ish to 510 in just the past few years. Lights and other basic necessities have definitely gone up as well
been reefing for 25 years.
getting out due to its time to free up some time and money by leaving this hobby
no more 700.00 electric bills, yes i did just get solar but still not 700 and i can run my ac at 70 LOL
no more stress to leave the house on trips
no more huge water bills
no more daily tank tinkering
getting out due to its time to free up some time and money by leaving this hobby
no more 700.00 electric bills, yes i did just get solar but still not 700 and i can run my ac at 70 LOL
no more stress to leave the house on trips
no more huge water bills
no more daily tank tinkering
been reefing for 25 years.
getting out due to its time to free up some time and money by leaving this hobby
no more 700.00 electric bills, yes i did just get solar but still not 700 and i can run my ac at 70 LOL
no more stress to leave the house on trips
no more huge water bills
no more daily tank tinkering
getting out due to its time to free up some time and money by leaving this hobby
no more 700.00 electric bills, yes i did just get solar but still not 700 and i can run my ac at 70 LOL
no more stress to leave the house on trips
no more huge water bills
no more daily tank tinkering
I don’t think it’s necessarily the price of corals, at least for beginners because entry level corals are still affordable. It’s an LFS bread and butter I would think.
I think people getting out of it may be due to a catastrophic event or life changes.
For me, it’s the later and contemplating down sizing or just getting out for a while cause I’ve taken up other new hobbies and possibly might move in a year or so.
I’ve been trying to get rid of my “high end” pieces but they’re pricey for a reason… they look so awesome and can’t always get em.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I think people getting out of it may be due to a catastrophic event or life changes.
For me, it’s the later and contemplating down sizing or just getting out for a while cause I’ve taken up other new hobbies and possibly might move in a year or so.
I’ve been trying to get rid of my “high end” pieces but they’re pricey for a reason… they look so awesome and can’t always get em.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
been reefing for 25 years.
getting out due to its time to free up some time and money by leaving this hobby
no more 700.00 electric bills, yes i did just get solar but still not 700 and i can run my ac at 70 LOL
no more stress to leave the house on trips
no more huge water bills
no more daily tank tinkering
getting out due to its time to free up some time and money by leaving this hobby
no more 700.00 electric bills, yes i did just get solar but still not 700 and i can run my ac at 70 LOL
no more stress to leave the house on trips
no more huge water bills
no more daily tank tinkering
also all the nice people I meet on this form have been a huge help with my tank success. Thanks everyone
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Yes it's time for sure.
You don't realize how much time is invested until you sit down and list all the stuff / tasks it takes to keep a reef thriving.
It's not the money because we all complain about the costs of stuff but no one ever thinks about the total amount of time our hobby takes from other things.
You don't realize how much time is invested until you sit down and list all the stuff / tasks it takes to keep a reef thriving.
It's not the money because we all complain about the costs of stuff but no one ever thinks about the total amount of time our hobby takes from other things.
