[ilovemash]

Not sure if this is the correct forum but I thought I'd create a thread where people can talk about what reef keeping is to them. Why you do it, what it means to you, what have you learned from it, and where you see yourself going with this hobby.
So who wants to go first?

[e_baer]

Reef keeping to me is the greatest thing that has ever happened. To me it is more than just a hoby, it is a career. Becoming a marine biologist (first class today) will hopefully open many dorrs of opportunity and success in my life. I was never and good and things except legos lol, but being inthis hobby has really in a sense turned my life around. I used to be a bad kid who got into trouble and was never diligent at anything but since I started keeping SW tanks I have become much more responsible and have finally found "me".

This is what reefkeeping is to me.

[ilovemash]

Doesn't anybody want to share their opinions with us?

[Jeremy0322]

I dont have an opinion, I have had a 20 gallon for a month now and it really has not changed my life yet, its pretty but now quite there yet.

[gimmito]

Reef keeping simply is a way to have a piece of the ocean in my own home. The hours of relaxation after a long day of work my tank has given me is worth the price alone. It has taught me the awesome responsibility of caring for my animals and the joy they give me back in return. It is the response of someone seeing my tank for the first time and saying "WOW." I did not attend college, but I cannot imagine putting more hours into studying a subject more than reefkeeping. It also has introduced me to many fine folks who share this passion in the hobby we call reefkeeping. THE FUTURE ? GETTING A BIGGER TANK OF COURSE !!!

[dinor2]

I've had freshwater tanks since I was 12 so I've always enjoyed having fish. I learned a lot from the freshwater but am definitly learning more with the saltwater!

So, I guess reason #1 is because I just love fish and saltwater fish have always interested me more, they're more colorful, more interesting.

#2. I LOVE biology, especially marine biology. Never went to college, don't have any degrees but I just enjoy learning more about fish, marine animals and their habitats. I've especially enjoyed learning more about the nitrogen cycle. I knew the basics but found out things that I never knew just a few days ago and I like knowing that I can count on learning new things almost every day.

#3. It's a great school project! We've homeschooled our two kids for almost four years now, they're 9 and 5. We all have fun learning about animals in general and it seems like my interest in marine life is finally rubbing off on them (probably happened after I finally got a fish in there!). But our reef tank is also going to be a great learning tool and already has been, my 9 year old is extremely interested in shrimps! So guess what we're researching next week for school, you guessed it, shrimp!

#4. Major stress reliever. Believe it or not, homeshooling is not for the faint of heart or the impatient. I love my kids, don't get me wrong but it is VERY demanding and very hard being with your kids 24/7 and trying to get some 'me' time in there somewhere. Staring at the dt, sometimes at the sand bed looking for the nassarius snails (what can I say, I'm easily entertained) is just very relaxing to me. And believe me, after 8 years of constantly parenting without a single chiropractic appointment, I paid for it in my back dearly from all the accumulated stress. So, if you're stress'en, watch your dt, even if you just set it up yesterday. I like to use my imagination as well, dream about what I'm going to put in there next!

#5. I feel like I just have to own a piece of the ocean, it's one of my passions. This probably stems from my early years living in Anchorage Alaska and going back every summer for a few years after my parents divorced. There is just nothing like Alaska, the people, the wildlife especially are all just amazing and unforgetable. And there's so much to do on/in the ocean in Alaska and it's all so much fun! Catching a 45lb halibut (or 'butt' as my Dad likes to call 'em) as a 11 year old is what got me interested in fish. That, and the saltwater tank my Dad had! So, I guess I also feel very nostalgic around my dt, it brings back good memories of times with my Dad in Alaska.

Ok, that was a novel, didn't mean to do that but, I'm finished so.....

The End.

[ilovemash]

This is all very interesting, I would like to hear what more people have to say about their experiences and passions in reef keeping. One person who I'd really like to read about is Ryan, if you read this Ryan tell us, what got you into the hobby and drove you to do all that you have done?

[reefnoob1991]

I was born in Sarasota, FL so fish has always been a big part of my live, when I moved up to SC it got really boring and I would always want to get a fish tank but my dad would never let me...saying it was too expensive yada yada yada. Well I finally got into it about 6 months ago and it has brought me and my parents together.. a friend of mine who now got into it and just helps stay out of trouble by doing maintenance (It could be worse, I could be just like all the other 17 year olds at my school who are stupid and drink and smoke etc.)

[Dr. Clyde]

I love just sitting in front of one of my tanks with a beer & watching everyone do thier thing.

[Adam J]

I'm with Clyde.Right turn Clyde.

[Bamaguy]

I'm not sure why but anything related to water has always appealed to me. I live about 3 hours from the Florida beaches and had a blast going as a child and as a teenager. Last year I took my child for the first time. During the 80's everything was about excess and shows like Miami Vice always had the big massive saltwater tank and I always wanted one right over my bed in my Scarface-like mansion.
In college, my roommate and a buddy both set up freshwater fish tanks and I got to see first hand how to setup one from scratch. For my graduation from college me and a buddy got certified to dive and went to Hawaii. I went snorkeling in Cancun for my honeymoon. By time I got an apartment to myself, I had a 55 gallon tank and a failed attempt at saltwater followed by a successful Cichlid tank after I got married. Everytime a Discovery channel show about the ocean comes on, I try and watch it. I have high def now on a big screen and the BBC Planet Earth was amazing on blueray. I even enjoy exercise more in the form of waterskiing and kneeboarding and swimming as opposed to jogging or weight lifting.
I never did get my big white 80's mansion with the 1000 gallon sharktank overlooking the neon bar (the wife would kill me) but I did just upgrade the old tank to a 90 gallon saltwater and my son loves Nemo and Sharktales so maybe he will pick up the hobby as well.