Where did all the MAASTARDS go!

[mkengr45]

I ask this question because it seems that the number of people looking at various forums and providing answers to or even looking at threads is far different then what I remember. I started in reef tanks in the late 90's, then in 2003 I joined maast. At that time I would see a new post and within an hour it would have several replies. The first page or two of threads was always from the current day. Now I look at any sub-forum and one page of threads goes back days, weeks, or even months. Where did all the traffic go in the last 4 years. I still see several peoples names I remember (the old timers), but it just seems that there was much more interaction when I left the hobby than there is now. Is everyone hanging out somewhere else? Charter member area? Just being able to see how many people are browsing the different sub-forums is evident that the traffic seems to have declined. Someone tell me if I am mistaken......old timers tell me what the deal is here.

[hobogato]

we have had a lot of people leave the hobby, and many of the experienced guys who are still in the hobby just dont post much anymore.

[mkengr45]

Ace, you're one of the old timers I recognize....been to your house a few times. Actually I recently bought a 30 cube from Randy that I believe you did the stand/canopy for, beautifully I might add. Bummer to see so many have left the hobby. I left because I bought a new house and didnt have the time to jack with moving the 250 and its livestock so I sold the whole thing to a guy in Austin. At the time I was more focused on drag racing and playing with guns....wish I had kept the old tank, but it is always fun starting new. I am looking forward to being back in the hobby, I think I still have the info in my brain as to how to do all this.

Randy

[hobogato]

yeah randy, i remember when you sold that beast. still racing?

[hobogato]

people are still pretty quick to offer help/advice when asked, but there arent very many people asking atm. we go thru cycles of activity

[mkengr45]

Yep, still racing. We are running 3 cars now....running both NHRA and IHRA. I should'nt have too many newby type questions but we will see how much I may have forgotten in my time away.

[Big_Pun]

welcome back to the hobby! And yes a lot of the old salties have come and go but we still have a good group of knowledgable people here, so no worries we can still help.

[Europhyllia]

Weather is so nice right now. So I am hoping everybody just has better stuff to do :)

I think worthwhile discussion doesn't have to be strictly Q&A. Could be just somebody noticing something and having a brilliant conclusion, etc.

SO if you think of something to tell don't hold back. ;)

[Mike]

Welcome back to MAAST! I think the economic times in the last few years have hurt the hobby. We see a lot of people set up tanks and then something happens and they have to sell their entire system several months later. We always keep hope they come back, as it is sometimes hard to avoid that saltwater itch.

We are having a frag/equipment swap meeting today. If you can, come by and meet all us "newbies". As a web member you can get some excellent all you can eat barbecue for $5. Details in the annoucements forum.

[Mr Cob]

welcome back Randy....while a lot of old timers have left, there have been several recently "come back". Anyways I think what Mike said is pretty accurate, in the last year or so I have never seen so many complete systems for sale!

[TXSea]

I moved to Houston :) But I still check out this site.

[ReefCube]

1. too much drama in the club that usually pushes people away
2. the hobby is getting too expensive/economy
3. have too many hobbies need to chill out (ME)
4. tank crash = i quit

in my opinion i think this is about 90% of the reasons

[alton]

It is a smaller but friendlier club. Harpooning is not allowed. If you remember in the old days if a newbie ask an easy question he would be chastised for doing so. I go On RC everyday and see the bickering on there and I am glad it doesn't happen on here.

[allan]

Well said Alton.

[Europhyllia]

You know that comment reminds me of something. I'd like to give a special shout out to Justahobby who really makes an effort to answer any question that otherwise might have gone unnoticed or unanswered.
Without Jutahobby we'd be out here hearing the crickets chirping a whole lot more often :)

[justahobby]

Thank you for the kind words Karin. I never got into posting a lot on reefcentral because it is so easy to have your post lost in the masses. Not getting a response to a question (even if it is "i don't know") isnt very inviting. Yes we are smaller and sometimes have growing pains or drama, but you will always see familiar faces at the meetings and recognize the screen names of people posting. Today's meeting was a great example of how many awesome members we have.

[ZeroHour]

I am a newbie but I assume some are like me, I dont post much because I am not as in the know as many here. I also tend to come and go for long periods of time lol

Welcome back to the hobby though! Its definitely cheaper than racing used to be for me.

[Bill S]

Like said above, when the economy is down, hobbies like this are really hit hard. When people have money to burn, they burn it.