Why do you enjoy this hobby?
- Thread starter Len
- Start date
I'm with mountainbiker. My passion is diving and gawking at all the wildife down there. Seeing as I live a thousand miles from the ocean and only get there 2 or 3 times a year, my aquarium is second best. Its nice to sit and watch it and dream of the "real thing".
Other than that, I love to spend money I don't really have and tinker with stuff until it breaks so I can upgrade.
Other than that, I love to spend money I don't really have and tinker with stuff until it breaks so I can upgrade.
I'm in it for a feeling I can't put into words, but you can see it in little kids' faces when they look in the tank.
(My 2 1/2 yr-old niece makes little fishy/kissy motions with her mouth when she sees it, that's NOT what I mean.)
There used to be another reason, but I had to quit smoking that stuff. 8)
(My 2 1/2 yr-old niece makes little fishy/kissy motions with her mouth when she sees it, that's NOT what I mean.)
There used to be another reason, but I had to quit smoking that stuff. 8)
Excellent question. I actually came up with several reason why in order of importance.
1. Trying to create a balanced ecosystem that remotely mimics nature. IE: I'm always attracted to ideas like refugiums, Algae scrubbers, etc. Things that are more natural, rather than mechanical.
2. I have always loved the ocean and water in general, yet have lived all my life in Colorado and New Mexico, so I like having a "piece of the ocean" in my study.
3. The fascination with all the forms life can take in the ocean and the different ways that various creatures "make a living" in the tank.
4. Watching guests and family members eyes light up when they see the tank and I try to explain how zooxanthella works.
The things I hate about the hobby:
1. Killing animals as a result of my own ignorance or negligence.
2. mechanical or caretaker malfunctions that result in water spills or water chemistry emergencies.
3. The smell of my carpet after 8 gallons of freshwater got dumped on the same spot that has flooded several times as a result of point #2.
4. Unpleasant upkeep chores like cleaning out the skimmer column, cleaning the glass, water changes, etc.
1. Trying to create a balanced ecosystem that remotely mimics nature. IE: I'm always attracted to ideas like refugiums, Algae scrubbers, etc. Things that are more natural, rather than mechanical.
2. I have always loved the ocean and water in general, yet have lived all my life in Colorado and New Mexico, so I like having a "piece of the ocean" in my study.
3. The fascination with all the forms life can take in the ocean and the different ways that various creatures "make a living" in the tank.
4. Watching guests and family members eyes light up when they see the tank and I try to explain how zooxanthella works.
The things I hate about the hobby:
1. Killing animals as a result of my own ignorance or negligence.
2. mechanical or caretaker malfunctions that result in water spills or water chemistry emergencies.
3. The smell of my carpet after 8 gallons of freshwater got dumped on the same spot that has flooded several times as a result of point #2.
4. Unpleasant upkeep chores like cleaning out the skimmer column, cleaning the glass, water changes, etc.
The constant learning experience it's been.
When you think you've mastered how to care for Soft corals, you try the hard, and then you try breeding fish, and then you try harder fish, then you got to go for the sexual propagation route, as the ultimate achievement.... I suppose it's an extension of the "Playing God" idea, but I honestly think I ike it for the mental excercise.
Sure the eye candy is nice, and it does come in handy at certain times (better than any screensaver... 8) ) It's nice to see the impressed looks on people's face when you tell them you have a reef tank, or they get to see it and their jaw drops to the floor at all the colors... But I have to admit.. I look forward to each challange I take up with this hobby, it's very rewarding.
- Mac
When you think you've mastered how to care for Soft corals, you try the hard, and then you try breeding fish, and then you try harder fish, then you got to go for the sexual propagation route, as the ultimate achievement.... I suppose it's an extension of the "Playing God" idea, but I honestly think I ike it for the mental excercise.
Sure the eye candy is nice, and it does come in handy at certain times (better than any screensaver... 8) ) It's nice to see the impressed looks on people's face when you tell them you have a reef tank, or they get to see it and their jaw drops to the floor at all the colors... But I have to admit.. I look forward to each challange I take up with this hobby, it's very rewarding.
- Mac
while i envy the thought of doing this simply because i needed to spend my money on something :roll:
i would say i do this out of appreciation (although it is a guilty pleasure of sorts).
some of the wierdest sh!t in the world you can find living in a reef tank.
life is amazing.
i would say i do this out of appreciation (although it is a guilty pleasure of sorts).
some of the wierdest sh!t in the world you can find living in a reef tank.
life is amazing.
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