why do you love this hobby???

[graphixx]

This is off the norm topic. But why are all of us obsessed with this hobby. I will start out, I grew up in Sandiego (La Jolla) and moved to Idaho right out of college. The thing that I missed the most was the ocean. I researched the hobby and started a small tank. Well time went by and I got too busy to keep the tank. Well 5 years ago I decided to give it another shot. I started with a 34 gallon and it was down hill from there. Since then I have upgraded god knows how many times.

But to me, I love this hobby because I am allways learning and am allways challenged by one thing or another. Just when you think you got the hang of it something happens. And to created something that is so beautifull with so much different color shapes and textures to me is amazing and the fact that its all alive!!!! I love it when someone comes over to my house that has never been over before and they walk into my family room and see my 92 gallon corner bowfront and just watch their jaw drop. That to me is the payoff for this hobby to see someone else enjoy it as well. (Wait till they see my new tank) But what keeps all of you in this hobby. what is the love (or the madness!!)that drives you each day to go elbow deep in saltwater!?!?!?

[jerryc]

The challenge of it is the big one for me growing and propagating coral
love it

[graphixx]

Jerry, I am fairly new to this forum but I have to say I do enjoy it. I wanted to congratulate you on TOTM that is a nice set up congrats!!!!!1

[dakar]

We started reefing on a whim of sorts... Angel and my daughter hauled me to an LFS to buy anything I wanted to setup the 55g tank we had that was collecting dust, made for a great birthday surprise! I decided I wanted to go SW.... from there it's been the a wild ride. The challenge was (and still is) the greatest part.
BTW it was only shortly after we got wet that CaptiveReefing was born. (Now if that isn't bordering between passion/obsession and complete madness nothing is!)

Of course it wasn't very long after starting we were totally hooked, tanks have been going up all over the house, taken down, moved and started again. Equipment moved from here to there, now we organize the house around them.
Now the challenge has moved to successful propagation.

The 'awe effect' from others when they see the 180 that dominates the lower living room is only surpassed by the looks when they see and realize it's all real and alive, not that anyone but another reefer really has any idea of what they are looking at.

Aside from that what keeps us at it is we each have a partner in it, we both enjoy the work and the rewards. Now our daughter is really gettng into it so that makes it even better. But knowing that none of it would exist without the other's work and efforts it takes to keep them up is really a great feeling. We make a good team, even if there are nights where the other is long asleep from exhaustion while the other is still shoulder deep in saltwater.

Besides a partner in crime is great thing to have when we have new prizes in the reef and the bills come up short for any given month. If we had to choose between some new coral and a fancy dinner out.... 9 out of 10 it would be McD's on the drive home with coolers full of new critters in the back seat.

[graphixx]

dakar,
Very well put. I have to give my wife alot of credit. she has really come around. she is now embracing this madness of mine. She calls me at the office if she sees something in the tank that does not look right. She has learned so much about the tanks. And yes our house is built around all of our tanks. In fact she just gave me the go ahead to do a 300 gallon in wall project that is underway as we speak. She is very excited about it. It is hard to describe the passion of this hobby to someone who is not involved in it. Most people its just filling a tank with water and throwing some food in there once a day. To me its a lot of the "behind the scenes" that keeps me going. And the propogation is awesome, I have really gotten into swapping and shipping and that is so much fun for me . I have met some really great people in this hobby. I would not give it up for the world.

[Whoyah]

That is tough question to answer. There is so many awesome things about this hobby. A couple top hitters for me are:

1. Create something beautiful and peaceful but so alien to our everyday environment.
2. A hobby that can include the whole family.
3. Learning about all of the critters that we keep and passing that on to others.
4. Figuring out how all of the pieces fit together so the system prospers.
5. Meeting great people who share the obsession.
6. Learning to be patient.

[Azrile]

Great thread.

[graphixx]

it seems that all of us agree that one of the things we love about this hobby are the challenges that this hobby brings (to some of us challenges arise daily). What are some of the hardest obstacles you have had in this hobby? I know that one of mine was learning patience. when I got back into this hobby I was so anxious that the cycling process almost killed me. Now its getting my parameters perfect for growing corals I think I have got it licked.

[flame]

My wife will point out that I am a workaholic. She has been trying for about 20 years to find something that will take my mind off of work and relax. A couple of months ago she talked me into converting one of the 50gal fresh water tanks to SW. She and the kids took care of the tanks and I helped when needed.

After 1 week into it I found it to be a great and relaxing. I now can tell you what time the LFS orders come in on Thursday. I also learned that my LFS guy is out to sell not help. (Has good prices on livestock) The SW tank has made some major changes in my work week and so far it has been a good thing. (well except for the $$$$$$) :LOL:

[dakar]

Bah, it's only money, but look at the beauty and happiness it brings into your life.