I think it's time!

[TroyPham]

Well,

as my life becomes more hectic and time has become more of an issue. I think it is time to sell the system.

My dedication to the tank,fish,and corals has been lacking for the past 3mnths. I still make my water changes once a month and the usual cleaning, but i find myself doing it as a chore, more than as an enjoyment and challange of the hobby. I've tossed the idea around a number of times in the past 6-8mnths and have even posted here to get everyone's thoughts, of course you guys talked me out of it, and here I am again months later having the same feelings.

I've tryed to keep my intrest in the hobby going by making changes to the system here and there. Adding lighting, change power heads, and what not. The most recent project being the upgrade to lighting, adding the 4-t5's and luminacr pendent, building a abstract art piece that incorporates the light. All of which made the tank look fantastic and corals "pop" with color, but it still hasn't build up the same (what the hell is the word)..... excitement, love, passion, (you pick the word), as I had with the tank and all the tanks in the past.


So, this has lead me to really really think about what i am about to do.

The part-out or the sale as a system????

I know for one think, the hobby has let me meet some great people in Corpus, SA, Houston, Dallas, and across the country, in CA to SC. It has killed countless hours of late night reading and yes i mean reading, RC and Maast, DFWM, and Marsh, not the Adult late night reading, as well as my unproductiveness at work for the past 6-7 years.

SO............... here I am, half way between selling and keeping. with no idea which way to go!

[Bill S]

I've been in this hobby for over 35 years. And yes, my interest goes back and forth - from a minimal setup for many years, to the insane level at which I'm currently sitting. My big tank is stable, and I'm enjoying it right now - and NOT dumping a bunch of money in it. The 55 is a mess, and I need to decide what to do with it - if anything.

That being said, here's what WILL happen. You will get rid of the tank, selling everything off for pennies on the dollar. In a short while - anything from 6-36 months, the bug will bite again, and you will jump back in. So, KNOWING this, get your tank set up for minimal work to still ENJOY it, and just sit back and do little.

Unfortunately, it's human nature to build, enjoy, and then forget.

[txstateunivreefer]

thats why i am keeping mine after looking at how much money and hard work i would loose parting out. after noticing how much money i could save by keeping the tank around (since i knew i wouldnt be able to stay away) i just decided i might as well keep it. so thats what im doing as well... trying to make it as non dependant as possible

[RayAllen]

I here ya man. Ive bought and sold so many tank is this hobby. My wife of 4 years has had to put up with it and thinks im crazy. The funny thing is you always end up coming back. So my advice to you is to do this.... If you do decide to take a "Break" only sale what you absolutley dont have room for, because you most likely will get back in again and have to buy everything all over again.

Ray

[alton]

Okay so you are losing interest and you want to sell your tank. Next thing you are bored because all the time and money you use to spend on your aquarium now you are saving, staying at home and bored to death. So you start drinking, stopping at bars, maybe get a DUI. Next thing you know your life is falling apart and you are broke. All because you wanted to sell your aquarium. If that story doesn’t make you want to go out and buy a new fish and keep your tank well then I guess it’s time to sell and get another hobby.

[brewercm]

I'd have to agree with Bill on this one. If you do break it down, keep the most you can with the exception of maybe tank and stand. The rest and most expensive parts you'd still have ready to go again.

[MissT]

First off, I'm sorry to hear you're at wits end with it at this point, but as was said already, you'll be back. Maybe start off by selling off some of the livestock, keeping your softies, and the stuff that doesn't have "neediness" for lack of a better word. Let the tank run, and do it's thing for a while (maybe you'll change your mind), and if not, sell the system sans lighting. Not only because you've put the energy and money into making your fixture a piece of art, but also because that is one piece of the system that 1. has a ton of the cost involved and 2. because it's something I'm sure you're very proud of. Good luck with this tough decision, and we will be here when you go and return!:wink_smile:

[TroyPham]

Okay so you are losing interest and you want to sell your tank. Next thing you are bored because all the time and money you use to spend on your aquarium now you are saving, staying at home and bored to death. So you start drinking, stopping at bars, maybe get a DUI. Next thing you know your life is falling apart and you are broke. All because you wanted to sell your aquarium. If that story doesn’t make you want to go out and buy a new fish and keep your tank well then I guess it’s time to sell and get another hobby.

Great story, haha....

my tank is actually doing well. I have lost a few corals here and there, but the growth in very good. I'm averaging about 1" a month on stags, and milli's and 1.5 or more on monti's and what not. i may just put all the live stock up forsale, and keep the tank and equipment. but as far as the story above, it's the fact that i don't have time to be home that is pushing me to sell the tank!

[SoLiD]

Bill has a point. If you don't want to bother with it anymore, just remove\sell the time consuming livestock you have in your tank and take the simple road. We all know that some corals take more time than others. Change things up to KEEP it interesting. Try going exotic Palys\Zoas or Softies since you are in to Acros right now. Redo your rock work. Sell all your livestock and coral and venture out to a diiferent type of system like a predator tank. We all know that one of the most exciting parts of an aquarium is the building phase. What ever you do... DON'T SELL IT... unless you make an ungodly amount of money and wouldn't mind buying everything all over again. -SoLiD

[crossxfire2]

What I do to keep myself from getting bored with my tank is watch it for a long time right before I go to bed. It is very good at helping you to relax... Also, I have easy to keep fish that wont be affected if I go through a (lack of attention to the tank) phase. I do go through those phases sometimes. Also, get species that all have the same diet. This can be helpful in case you really don't feel like dealing with your fish. All you would have to do is just throw food of the same kind in the tank, then walk away. Oh, and I have a LOT of flow in my tank, which makes it very cool to watch my fish swim like crazy, especially when they are chasing food.
This might sound completely stupid, but I have gotten to the point where to me, Marine fish keeping is about the art of keeping the most pure, and perfect quality saltwater that can possibly be kept. I am always messing with the skimmer, filters, etc. Oh, and people LOVE SW aquariums, so you definatly need to take lots of pics and show it off baby! That is what I have to say about that.

[TroyPham]

still thinking about it.

just a few pics to share.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/bagedtaco/fix2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/bagedtaco/fix-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/bagedtaco/fixgroup.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/bagedtaco/6-2-07fullfront.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/bagedtaco/6-02-07fulltankleft.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/bagedtaco/6-2-07lefttopdown.jpg

[apedroza]

WOW!!! Why would you want to leave that beautiful tank!!!

[erikharrison]

I have got to echo Anthony's statement! Time to go BB and Rimless?

[Bill S]

Wow. You've GOT to be kidding?

[apedroza]

If you do get out I call dibs on that blue acro in the last pic!!!! :angel:

[JimD]

lol, The vultures are circling....

[MissT]

wanting to get rid of that? for shame...

[TexasTodd]

I fully understand Troy!

I thought about keeping some things, but the hobby always progresses. What's state of the art now, will be sub-par in a few years (or months sometimes).--(right Sean! CPreefguy :) :) :) )

I don't regret selling but I also know I'll be back "in" in the future.

Right now with work, travel, kids, etc. I just don't have the time.

Good luck either way.

Todd