How to not lose interest?

[FireWater]

So, I have been struggling lately with the hobby end of this. My 90g is broke down. I am totally 100% unsatisfied with my Finnex. It all seems like a struggle to stay focused on the big picture and remember to have fun. How does everyone do it? I know the old trick of take a step back and a deep breath, but I am really down right now and it is killing me. Those that know me well enough know that I am never serious and always upbeat.

I took a break from work, school, and my other work today and went to play golf with a good friend - it was awesome by the way (I almost broke 90 and for me that is an accomplishment). That still didn't help my outlook. So what's next?

[txg8gxp]

I think with any hobby, you have to change it up. The same old will always get old. That is why I enjoy the building and learning side to a given hobby. I would say try something totally different then anything you have done before.That could be the build, useing all new technology or methods or what you keep. Just change it up alot, that would allow for new experiences and new interests

[StevenSeas]

well first i think you have to find out what about this hobby it is that you love. For me its lookin up and researching stuff and then making it happen. I love the planning and setting up phases of a new tank. thats the only reason that after years of having my biocube and only being able to mod it to a certain point did I decide i wanted to take the plunge and build my own all in one. I stayed up extra hrs to look up stuff, to manipulate it in my mind, to see what kind of effect adding this and that would make (the other plus to this is i got to build it and then if it broke heaven forbid it was nobodys fault but my own. Then having it set up and working well i love slowly stocking my tank. methodically checking out what i want next. Thats what I love about this hobby is how each setup is personable and shows something about the person who created it. No two setups will ever be the same and each will be different for various reasons. Just find what you like most about the hobby then do it.

[Europhyllia]

Time. I think stepping away may mean longer than a day. I do focus on other things like my horses, etc.
When I had the major diatom outbreak that killed so many of my favorites I wanted to just get rid of it too. The daily water changes really got to me. Around that time we went to Corpus for a few days. That was a nice break.
Oh and I turned off the main lights and only ran it on actinics. It helps to not see the mess in great detail.
What's the deal with the Finnex?
I can honestly say that I have other hobbies that don't bring me the same misery as this one and are cheaper and are just as enjoyable! Not sure why I am stuck on the reef thing. lol

Oh and during the worst of times it's the pet aspect that keeps me going. I got some frags at the fragging meeting and Marcus told me in the parking lot to take good care of his Duncans. That gave me the energy for a few more daily water changes. Lol. Got to stick with it once the critters depend on you.

[justahobby]

You went through a lot John. I saw your tank and I know it can be very disconcerting. But it wasn't anything you did. (*&#$(@&$ Urchins!!!! Visualize how you want your tank to look and use this time to set up automated or easier water changes or whatever it is that would like to do differently this time around.

[Europhyllia]

But it wasn't anything you did. (*&#$(@&$ Urchins!!!!

Oh see to me that would be even more discouraging. Then I'd feel so powerless. In my case it made me feel better to accept responsibility and learn from it. If I am the one that screwed up then I am the one that has the power to be better next time.

[edshas2]

I have a small tank only 29g and i go thru periods of neglect also , for some reason i get bored with it, but then it comes back to me and i clean everything up again. If you notice some people on this board have quit the hobby then came back, or are always setting up different tanks, it might be the way this hobby is. Its hard to spend so much money on something for things to go wrong.

[justahobby]

Well, his fault would be buying the urchin haha.

[Texreefer]

maybe we should just go play golf again!!!

[Double-O-Zilch]

I get the same way in all my hobbies. Spend all that time and effort, something goes wrong, and it will get you down. I cope with it by jumping back to another hobby I've forgotten about or dreaming of what I would do if I could. Like Steve, I'm into the workings of everything. I feel if I know how it works then I can better understand why something is broken or not working. Can you tell I'm a grease monkey for a living?! One thing I've done recently is fishing. Nothing beats throwing a line out and catching a beautiful blue gill, not to mention fresh air always eases my mind. I've even been known to read a book from time to time. I've got a ton of Vietnam era books I was reading till I grew tired of them. Pretty much find something to clear your head and keep your current critters happy!