Anybody leave the hobby and come back?

[Russell Bennett]

I am a little sad - I am moving. I think versus moving tank that is not being upkept correctly; I am going to leave the hobby for a bit.

I hope someday to get back in it, but with my work hours it is just sad when lights are always off. I don't have time energy to do what my livestock deserve.

 

[Aeb1419]

I was there where you are 3 years ago. I just didnt have the time. Now im more felxible and I dove right in again. I just couldnt keep the itch away. If anything I feel I am doing way better than I did before. Corrected alot of my mistakes and im sure ill make new ones,

 

[Sponge]

In my short time in the hobby and on this forum. I have seen several people posting that they are back after a stint away. If you love it. I’m certain you will be back. Best of luck. See ya soon

 

[Russell Bennett]

definitely a laundry list of things I would do different.

Some things went well though. I would have to find away to be more efficient

 

[Trio91]

I think if you decide to get back in, your next tank will be 2x as good. Like you mentioned you would've learned from your mistakes.

 

[Mark_C]

Recently got back into the mid size stuff of 100g plus but I did it this time with some education behind me and spent some time and thought on the setup.
The 110 I'm running (with 30g sump) is practically maintenance free with an ATO top up, filter floss change, glass clean, and skimmer empty every 2 days.
I do a 5-10g water change every week or two and throw in some home made food every night.
I don't monitor parameters unless it seems something is going wrong, and I don't get too concerned over algaes (I've got some red atm).
Things thrive.
I spent 10 mins with it last night, 0 with it tonight, and figure on a water change/floss change/glass clean for 15-20 mins on Saturday morning, then I'm clear till Tuesday or so.
But I'm not very anally retentive about monitoring. I have generic timers, no computers, and don't worry about testing parameters unless it seems something is wrong.
If you set up right and let the tank be the tank, it seems to work out well with minimal time expenditure.

 

[lefkonj]

The great thing about tearing down your tank is soon enough you will get to do it all over again. This time you will learn from all your mistakes and do it better.

 

[Russell Bennett]

Biggies I learned - I should have gone a little bigger tank. Rockscape still need room to clean glass.

Slow and I think Mark C i wouldnt test so much just does it look right

 

[njtiger24 aquariums]

I been out for about 2 years now and so want to get back in but know its not the right time. I hope soon

 

[radiata]

I got into the hobby in 1970, after the Army let me go. In the mid 1960s the Aquarium Stock Company ("Aquastock"), in lower Manhattan, was selling Blue Devils and Perculas, and I was hooked. So, I built myself a plexiglas tank in 1970 and have kept saltwater specimens ever since.

 

[myrjon]

Sounds like a nice start.Be cool Bob if you had pictures..

 

[momof6kids]

I am getting back into the hobby after being out of it for about 3 years. I used to have a 240 mixed reef and a 150 FO tank. I have decided that I am going with a smaller tank; a Red Sea Reefer 525XL, with a lot of maintenance free items and having a mixed reef.

 

[kabal2]

I was out of the hobby for about 10 years i am at about 6 months back, i can tell you everything changed but after you get the saltwater bug it will be always with you