What is a reef tank to you?

[GoReef165]

I've been in this hobby for about 6 years now and wanted to get your opinions on what "reefing" is to you.

When you tell your friends, family and co-workers that you're into reef tanks, what do you think that means to them?

What do you think they'd expect to see? Would they understand the hobby if they saw your tank?

When you started this hobby, was/is it to:

• Grow out a full reef tank with coral and fish?
• Full mixed reef LPS/SPS
• Sand or NO sand?
• All SPS or LPS?
• Collect and/or trade sticks?
• Collect and/or trade sexy little gems?
• Want to be a Fragstar Millionare? (in it to make $$$)
• More fish than coral? If so why? Is it easier or you just like more fish with a little coral or LR?

I've read so many threads on this site and others of hobbyists "reef/frag tanks". It seems to be all over the place as far as the degree of grow outs and/or ambitions.

Post your opinions on what you think this hobby is really about.

Any certain types of "reefers" that bother you?

I seem to sell stuff a lot but it's only because pieces are getting to big and/or I've had them for a long time.

My goal is to create a thriving full reef tank with sand, coral, rock and fish. The full gamut.

 

[Tangwich]

too many questions rob. lol...j/k...

a perfect example of what reefkeeping means to me was yesterday after work. i went to pick up a reef brite fixture from [MENTION=5501]ericta000[/MENTION] and as usual ended up talkin' reef and other things for like an hour. So while we all love the relaxing times and sometimes hate the disheartening moments this hobby offers us, to me this hobby means a "brotherhood" so to speak. A community of great people with whom we share great stories and advice to better ourselves and others while trying to enjoy our glass/acrylic boxes.

 

[Zoarder]

I don't think when we started we had a plan of action. We were noobs and went with whatever the LFS told us. We didn't know better. At least for me... I go through phases I guess. When I started I had a mixed reef. I kept everything from zoas to sps. Then as I got more knowledge and saw all these new zoas and found out there was such a thing as "high end" fish I changed. Started to collect the more rare zoas I can find. The same went with fish. Then I lost most of my fish for not being careful. Right now I don't care much for coral and I am slowly collecting my fish again. I think I bought my last fish last week. (Then again I always say that lol) What I really like about this hobby is meeting nice people and chatting reef with them even if we argue at times is all worth it. At one point I wanted to be a FSM but I realize there was no joy in that. When people see a reef they are amazed because they have not seen anything like that. And if they want one I say no because you will always end up broke lol its an addiction. I guess is better than doing drugs or hitting the strip clubs hehe

 

[Atticus27]

I think it's the idea of bringing nature to your home. A place where you can relax by looking at the calm and tranquil environment the corals/fishes are in. It's a challenge of course but who doesn't love a good challenge . It's definitely safe to say whoever comes into my room spends more time with my clown fish than with me

 

[GoReef165]

I know I posted a lot of questions but I'm trying to understand what the gist of this hobby is to you guys. I know there are a lot of seasoned reef vets on this site. To me it's always been about maintaining a full reef tank, attempting to grow it out. Not trading sticks and buggers. And I appreciate all corals, old school and some of the new "brand namers"...but I try not to get caught up in name hype.

Oh, and so far 58 views and only 4 replies. To my point I think.

 

[rayray]

You forgot the word "coral" in front of reef. Its about the coral, coral reef.

having fun with coral & associated fish, equip, people, etc.

 

[GoReef165]

You forgot the word "coral" in front of reef. Its about the coral, coral reef.

having fun with coral & associated fish, equip, people, etc.

I've never thought of the word "reef" without coral but good point. My bad. But I figured posting about a reef tank on this forum would include coral. Maybe there's some rock reefers here? lol

 

[rayray]

Yep, many people babysit mostly rocks, lol.

Its pretty well document when the first hobbyists fragged coral & passed it around, then LFS fragged colonies to maximize $, then hobbyists, then the FSMs. Same with fish breeders.

Im still having fun with my coral & fish, thats all the matters to me.

 

[GoReef165]

Yep, many people babysit mostly rocks, lol.

With colorful nublits :baby:

 

[Jvilla58]

I am rather new to this hobby (2 years) but in that time a reef tank to me has become something that can keep me occupied while looking at animals that are so interesting and colorful. I went though a few hobbies and this one has stuck the longest. Now to answer your questions
Family couldn't care less about it, hell they think I am just wasting time and money. I am focusing on having a mixed tank with emphasis on sps, tried doing bb but i prefer the look of sand. and I rather not comment on refers that bug me.
Well that is my opinion.

 

[Dodgerdave]

A reef tank to me is having a tiny piece of the ocean in your place. Not just any piece of the ocean, but a combination of all the pictures and movies you've seen of colorful reefs and making something with your own concept.
Also, it's not a reef tank if it doesn't have sand!

 

[GoReef165]

So much joking around here but nobody wants to chime in. [MENTION=4608]SchnitzelReef[/MENTION] got any good cyano jokes?

 

[Six2seven]

When I tell people I have a reef tank their response is usually, "thats saltwater right?"

Then they proceed to tell me how a cousin or friend has an even bigger tank than mine and as they tell their story it becomes very apparent that they have an old freshwater tank with only a couple of fish and you cannot see through it very well.

The average non reefer only thinks bigger is better and does not know what coral is or how its maintained.


To me a reef is my central relaxation. When the house is quiet and I can hear the water tricking and the blue glow, is my favorite time. The calmness of the water is equal to swimming in a pool all by yourself or sitting on a skiff on a lake waiting for the fishing line to twitch. I love growing sps and watching my hard work pay off.

 

[gumbii]

another form of collecting... i like to collect chalice, favias and anchoras... that's about it... don't care much about the fish... the fun part is building (for me) and once it's done, i collect species...

it's what i do... i collect a ton of stuff... comic books, art, prints, chickens (lol), tools, reptiles, toys, whatever... it's what i do... and once i get a tank, the collecting starts...

i also love learning stuff... and i like going to reef clubs, talking reef, learning scientific names, learning everything i can someway or another... i get obsessed over knowing crap... like, the vaping thing... if there's something new out there, i have to know all about it...


but i like the networking too.. reef clubs, aquarium clubs... making friends... it's awesome... i love meeting peoples, and i love forums... i get addicted to forums... before, when i used to be in a couple of hobbies at once, i would have about 11 forums open at once... always logged on, always reading and answering questions...

 

[reefes pieces]

I know what reefing means to us but I think this example puts in good perspective of people not in this hobby. I was having a conversation with my sister and told her I was going to "Reefa"palooza and she gave me an awkward look. I then explained I was going there to buy coral and fish. She then said ohhhh I thought u were going to some weed convention.

 

[GoReef165]

373 people online at this moment.. yet only 15 replies.

What music are you listening too or what are you drinking right now?

 

[gumbii]

ask gumbii anything thread...?

 

[nicodim55]

I don't think when we started we had a plan of action. We were noobs and went with whatever the LFS told us. We didn't know better. At least for me... I go through phases I guess. When I started I had a mixed reef. I kept everything from zoas to sps. Then as I got more knowledge and saw all these new zoas and found out there was such a thing as "high end" fish I changed. Started to collect the more rare zoas I can find. The same went with fish. Then I lost most of my fish for not being careful. Right now I don't care much for coral and I am slowly collecting my fish again. I think I bought my last fish last week. (Then again I always say that lol) What I really like about this hobby is meeting nice people and chatting reef with them even if we argue at times is all worth it. At one point I wanted to be a FSM but I realize there was no joy in that. When people see a reef they are amazed because they have not seen anything like that. And if they want one I say no because you will always end up broke lol its an addiction. I guess is better than doing drugs or hitting the strip clubs hehe

+1 lol

 

[lurking]

Life was amazing. Then Kindergarten came along and life has been downhill since then. Reefing is a hobby and a way for me to escape all the stress of life. Cleaning a tank, fragging, planning an upgrade and feeding the fish are all very zen activities for me. Rather than thinking about what happened 5 minutes ago or what is going to happen 5 minutes from now, reefing allows me to be in the moment and really appreciate it.

 

[nicodim55]

For me is the relaxation factor when everything is dialed in of course. Granted we all go through crashes but that doesn't stop me from not having a reef tank. I love coming home to a nice reef tank and just relax in front of it for hours. I rather watch the fish/corals than watch depressing TV. You meet a lot of good people here that share the same passion and learn a thing or 2 from them. Yes it is an expensive hobby but it won't kill you like drugs or alcohol you'll be broke but I'd rather be broke than dead haha. happy reefing everyone