Top reasons for failure in saltwater.

marcom12345 · 10/01/2018, 08:04 PM

Id love to hear people's opinion on the top reasons why people fail or quit the hobby..... Besides expense lol.

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Bpb · 10/01/2018, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcom12345

Id love to hear people's opinion on the top reasons why people fail or quit the hobby..... Besides expense lol.

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I think a more appropriate statement would be why people quit.

It’s perceived as failure.

Every local I’ve known that has come and gone quickly in the hobby has done so by doing too much too fast. Lots of reasons this happens

They make decisions based on looks and don’t want to take the time to learn more intermediate chemistry and biology.

They listen to the pet store and trust that advice, when they’re just trying to make a sale

Too many fish, the wrong kinds of fish, too many corals too fast. Usually ends up with sickness, death, a feeling of wasted money and frustration, and ultimately a broken down tank that they attempt to sell at new cost.

I’ve seen it time and time again.

Second reason is algae. New hobbyists refuse to believe and accept that algae happens early on and it drives many to quit.

They like spending money on livestock and not on infrastructure. I’ve seen lots of folks drop a grand on fish and corals. But use our local tap which is awful, entry level lighting, zero powerheads to be found at all, ect.

Just some musings on the topic.

But the summary is it’s not failure. It’s impatience and quitting. If they invested smart and pushed past the ugly phase, and researched more/bought less, the tanks would almost always succeed

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btmedic04 · 10/01/2018, 09:23 PM

For me, it was an ex wife

I only had a 20 gallon tall softie tank but when we split, I had to move the whole tank 40 miles back home to my folks house. got everything moved and stabilized, found a new career, got my own place and had to move the tank again then found myself working 60-72 hour work weeks at that time. 4 years later, Im just now getting back into it.

my biggest piece of advice for staying in the hobby is patience, research and proper hardware and testing investment. Oh and no crazy significant others

Anemone · 10/02/2018, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bpb

doing too much too fast.

This.

Kevin

tjm9331 · 10/02/2018, 06:32 AM

In my opinion it comes down to being uneducated and an unwillingness to put the time in to become at least slightly educated.

Some folks think (and this is partly the fault of some LFS) that you can just jump into this hobby by buying a tank, some rock a heater and filter. Throw in a clownfish and you're good to go.

People don't take the time to learn how to properly cycle a tank or even learn what beneficial bacteria is and where it lives. Case in point, I was at my LFS this past Friday and there was a customer insisting that the beneficial bacteria resides in the water column. The owner of the store was trying to explain to him that the bacteria is on the rock and sand bed but it just fell of deaf ears.

If people put more time in educating themselves on how to properly setup and care for a marine tank success rates would climb exponentially.

mcgyvr · 10/02/2018, 07:04 AM

Haste...lacking knowledge...overreacting

kevin21 · 10/02/2018, 10:00 AM

Purchasing things based on look/want rather than purchasing things that actually fit and is appropriate.

JTL · 10/02/2018, 12:09 PM

Underestimating the work and time commitment. Tank crash.

sde1500 · 10/02/2018, 12:18 PM

Definitely underestimating the time, effort, and cost. And to go along with that wanting it all here and now resulting in a tank stocked poorly and ready to crash.

To go along with that, probably tank crashes results in the most quitting. Either from newer hobbyists who don't put the work in, or experienced ones who get complacent and let things get away from them without seeing it. IE "old tank syndrome" which is likely better termed "under cared for older tank syndrome"

lapin · 10/02/2018, 12:26 PM

All of the above and let me add; People get into the hobby and have very high expectations and think their tank will look like the perfect reef tank seen in pictures. While this is possible, for 90% of the people, it does not happen.

marcom12345 · 10/02/2018, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lapin

All of the above and let me add; People get into the hobby and have very high expectations and think their tank will look like the perfect reef tank seen in pictures. While this is possible, for 90% of the people, it does not happen.

*because* of the above reasons?

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hkgar · 10/02/2018, 12:57 PM

Not learning first
Listening to others (LFS included) without researching the answers.

(Yes, you can get bad information here on RC, but someone will usually set them straight)

lapin · 10/02/2018, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcom12345

*because* of the above reasons?

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Yes

hkgar · 10/02/2018, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lapin

All of the above and let me add; People get into the hobby and have very high expectations and think their tank will look like the perfect reef tank seen in pictures. While this is possible, for 90% of the people, it does not happen.

Close to the 10%, I think
https://photos.app.goo.gl/DoETTohbsa26VyVu7

https://photos.app.goo.gl/MJCe1cUp9EVFvpqd7

marcom12345 · 10/02/2018, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkgar

Close to the 10%, I think
https://photos.app.goo.gl/DoETTohbsa26VyVu7

https://photos.app.goo.gl/MJCe1cUp9EVFvpqd7

Very nice.

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lapin · 10/02/2018, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkgar

Close to the 10%, I think
https://photos.app.goo.gl/DoETTohbsa26VyVu7

https://photos.app.goo.gl/MJCe1cUp9EVFvpqd7

Y R in the 10% for sure
Im still with the 90%

Tyler.L · 10/02/2018, 05:44 PM

Impatient

I think is the number one failure

JRBaker · 10/02/2018, 07:18 PM

I've seen many people quit when the first challenge pops up. Whether it may be disease, algae, equipment failure, livestock aggression...etc. I think some people want "living artwork" and don't realize that you have to actually work to keep a tank looking nice. Same goes for freshwater. I used to keep planted tanks and got a lot of compliments on how it looked. Few realized how much work went into keeping it looking like that (daily fertilizer dosing, trimming, algae scrubbing,...etc).

GQuinn · 10/02/2018, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Haste...lacking knowledge...overreacting

That’s the big three.

Scottedontknow · 10/03/2018, 08:05 AM

I’m also with @Bpb on this one. People want tanks to just magically turn into dream tanks over night. People also don’t want to have to do any of the maintenance that goes along with owning a tank. I have a crazy crazy busy life but I absolutely love having reef tanks to come home to and decompress at the end of the day haha. So for me everything is automated (dosing , and water changes use to be but I no longer do water changes) my apex tells me when something is off, other than my hands don’t go in the tank. This stuff all
Comes with a large price tag I.E quality products that won’t let you down, not junk because it’s cheap.

I think too many people also try and cut corners to make things cheaper huge mistake!!!

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Justintegra · 10/03/2018, 08:37 AM

I would suggest that dismay and discouragement are leading causes. Take my case. I have been fighting a cyano outbreak in my biocube for about 2 months now and it has shown no signs of improvement. I do 25% water changes twice a week, I've added Phosban, I've dramatically decreased feeding, etc. Hair and bubble algae is all gone, Bryopsis is under control, but the cyano just persists. I'm at a loss, and feel discouraged, defeated. I'm not quitting yet, but I can easily, EASILY see how this could/would drive some people away.

hkgar · 10/03/2018, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lapin

Y R in the 10% for sure
Im still with the 90%

Read my story here when I was awarded reefer of the month.

Scottedontknow · 10/03/2018, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justintegra

I would suggest that dismay and discouragement are leading causes. Take my case. I have been fighting a cyano outbreak in my biocube for about 2 months now and it has shown no signs of improvement. I do 25% water changes twice a week, I've added Phosban, I've dramatically decreased feeding, etc. Hair and bubble algae is all gone, Bryopsis is under control, but the cyano just persists. I'm at a loss, and feel discouraged, defeated. I'm not quitting yet, but I can easily, EASILY see how this could/would drive some people away.

What’s your flow like?

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Justintegra · 10/03/2018, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottedontknow

What’s your flow like?

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Strong. It's a biocube29 and I have an IceCap 1k gye pulsing with 70% max, but I don't want to derail this thread with my personal problems

ajoe · 10/03/2018, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anemone

This.

Kevin

plus 2 on this. Mature and established tanks are the result of years of trial and error and patience. Too many people establish a tank and then load up with too many fish and too many corals the minute they "think" their tank is mature/stable. When things go south they just loose heart and it becomes more of a chore correcting things and much less of a hobby they enjoy. Not for everyone.

10/01/2018, 08:04 PM	#1
marcom12345 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Battle creek, Michigan Posts: 101	Top reasons for failure in saltwater. Id love to hear people's opinion on the top reasons why people fail or quit the hobby..... Besides expense lol. Sent from my LG-LS993 using Tapatalk

10/01/2018, 09:23 PM	#3
btmedic04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 256	For me, it was an ex wife I only had a 20 gallon tall softie tank but when we split, I had to move the whole tank 40 miles back home to my folks house. got everything moved and stabilized, found a new career, got my own place and had to move the tank again then found myself working 60-72 hour work weeks at that time. 4 years later, Im just now getting back into it. my biggest piece of advice for staying in the hobby is patience, research and proper hardware and testing investment. Oh and no crazy significant others __________________ Current Tanks: New build in progress :)

10/02/2018, 07:04 AM	#6
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Haste...lacking knowledge...overreacting __________________ Who me?

10/02/2018, 10:00 AM	#7
kevin21 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 2,208	Purchasing things based on look/want rather than purchasing things that actually fit and is appropriate. __________________ Kevin Current Tank Info: Waterbox 50g, Tunze 9004 dc skimmer, Vortech mp10, Kessil ap700

10/02/2018, 12:09 PM	#8
JTL Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Venice Island, FL Posts: 2,532	Underestimating the work and time commitment. Tank crash. __________________ John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+.

10/02/2018, 06:32 AM	#5
tjm9331 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 340	In my opinion it comes down to being uneducated and an unwillingness to put the time in to become at least slightly educated. Some folks think (and this is partly the fault of some LFS) that you can just jump into this hobby by buying a tank, some rock a heater and filter. Throw in a clownfish and you're good to go. People don't take the time to learn how to properly cycle a tank or even learn what beneficial bacteria is and where it lives. Case in point, I was at my LFS this past Friday and there was a customer insisting that the beneficial bacteria resides in the water column. The owner of the store was trying to explain to him that the bacteria is on the rock and sand bed but it just fell of deaf ears. If people put more time in educating themselves on how to properly setup and care for a marine tank success rates would climb exponentially.

10/02/2018, 12:18 PM	#9
sde1500 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Glocester, RI Posts: 3,336	Definitely underestimating the time, effort, and cost. And to go along with that wanting it all here and now resulting in a tank stocked poorly and ready to crash. To go along with that, probably tank crashes results in the most quitting. Either from newer hobbyists who don't put the work in, or experienced ones who get complacent and let things get away from them without seeing it. IE "old tank syndrome" which is likely better termed "under cared for older tank syndrome" __________________ My build thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2548422 Current Tank Info: 65 gallon mixed reef, Eshopps sump and HOB overflow, RO-110int skimmer, Reefbreeder 32" photons V1.

10/02/2018, 12:26 PM	#10
lapin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Austin Posts: 801	All of the above and let me add; People get into the hobby and have very high expectations and think their tank will look like the perfect reef tank seen in pictures. While this is possible, for 90% of the people, it does not happen. __________________ Tank sizes, 2-10's a 55 and one that's about 500gal Current Tank Info: Interior decorating happening

10/02/2018, 12:57 PM	#12
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	Not learning first Listening to others (LFS included) without researching the answers. (Yes, you can get bad information here on RC, but someone will usually set them straight) __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

10/02/2018, 05:44 PM	#17
Tyler.L Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 405	Impatient I think is the number one failure

10/02/2018, 07:18 PM	#18
JRBaker Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 33	I've seen many people quit when the first challenge pops up. Whether it may be disease, algae, equipment failure, livestock aggression...etc. I think some people want "living artwork" and don't realize that you have to actually work to keep a tank looking nice. Same goes for freshwater. I used to keep planted tanks and got a lot of compliments on how it looked. Few realized how much work went into keeping it looking like that (daily fertilizer dosing, trimming, algae scrubbing,...etc).

10/03/2018, 08:05 AM	#20
Scottedontknow Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Bethelehm, PA Posts: 138	I’m also with @Bpb on this one. People want tanks to just magically turn into dream tanks over night. People also don’t want to have to do any of the maintenance that goes along with owning a tank. I have a crazy crazy busy life but I absolutely love having reef tanks to come home to and decompress at the end of the day haha. So for me everything is automated (dosing , and water changes use to be but I no longer do water changes) my apex tells me when something is off, other than my hands don’t go in the tank. This stuff all Comes with a large price tag I.E quality products that won’t let you down, not junk because it’s cheap. I think too many people also try and cut corners to make things cheaper huge mistake!!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10/03/2018, 08:37 AM	#21
Justintegra Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 109	I would suggest that dismay and discouragement are leading causes. Take my case. I have been fighting a cyano outbreak in my biocube for about 2 months now and it has shown no signs of improvement. I do 25% water changes twice a week, I've added Phosban, I've dramatically decreased feeding, etc. Hair and bubble algae is all gone, Bryopsis is under control, but the cyano just persists. I'm at a loss, and feel discouraged, defeated. I'm not quitting yet, but I can easily, EASILY see how this could/would drive some people away.