Aquarium Burnout?

Cypherman

Cypherman

All about Aulonocara!
Apr 3, 2002
169
0
0
Buffalo, NY
I've been doing FW aquariums now for just over 10 years and these past few years I've found myself losing enthusiasm over my tank(s)...I set up a 30 gallon 2 years back after a year long break for fish and for about 8 months I raised a green terror from a 3 incher to nearly 7 and upgraded to a 75...AFter about 6 more months I started losing interest, so I sold him to the LFS and decided to try a small fish community, something I've never done in a loooong time. Well that lasted about 2-3 months and again I lost interest, lotsa fish died...After that I tried African cichlids, just about the only thing I've never done, and as of last month I am once again losing steam...I can't tell if I'm just bored or need something truly exciting...I'm thinking saltwater might offer me something new and rekindle my aquarium passion but I dont want to lose $50+ fish due to neglect and loss of interest, not to mention it isn't fair to the fish. Does anyone have any experiences and solutions they'd like to share? I know there was an article on fish burnout in either TFH of AFM way back but I can't find it :confused:
 
I think there's one on http://www.aquarticles.com

Also, try doing something different, attend more conventions or aquarium society meetings, work part-time at an LFS, volunteer at a public aquarium, go somewhere cool like the Amazon. I've done so many of these things it can be hard to make time for the actual fish!
 
Can really offer an ideas but I have been in a similar situation.

About 3weeks ago I had a major water problem which has killed a few of my fish but most of them had to be euthanized by me :( (you may have seen my thread?)

My water has stablized now but I have too been struggling to recindle the interest I had. However I have a parrot fish that my lfs was kind enough to take in when my water went pear shaped is help rekindle my enthusasum.

I have considered going african cichlid and milawi or even Discus but I keep coming back to SW so maybe I will get another tank or use my exsisting one and give that a try.

HAve you considered turning your tank into a vivarium and keeping either lizards or snakes or even turtles as they can be just as fasincating and a little more hands on than fish?
 
I'd advise not to try too hard. It's a hobby, not a religion or a job, so there's no reason to feel obligated to do it. Just don't sell your tanks so you can start again if you want.
 
I agree with mogurnda here, maybe you should slow down if nothing is helping.
 
Are your tanks in a good location? I was losing interest and I moved my 2 tanks to the kitchen (it's sort of the heart of our house) and they've never gotten better care. I like them so much now that I get to see them all the time.

I had my 45 gal in the basement before and it was just too out of my way. Now it's right where I eat dinner and I'm constantly messing with it (no fish yet, cycling SW.) Same goes with my 5 gal, it's getting many more water changes now.

If you put your tanks where you really enjoy them, it may help.
 
Burnout

Have you tried getting into breeding?

Speaking from experience. It really adds to the hobby.

Start with some of the easier fish then work your way up to the harder ones. It actually is quite fulfilling when you see those fry from a set of parents after trying for some time to get them to succeed.

I have bred about ten species now. All SA/CA cichlids it has been great my newest venture is driving me nuts. Only becasue I have been so close a few times now. You will probably hear the screams of joy from where you are if I finally succeed.

It really is fun and truly does add to the hobby.
 
There was a book titled Confessions of a Fish Doctor[/I and one of his points was people take better care of fish that hit some spot of their own personality. When they find that fish, they take great care of it.

I've been doing this off and on for many a moon and I know there are just some fish I do not want to see for a long time. My 40 set empty for 2 years and I watched the fish in my 125 & 40 die one at a time as I decided what I wanted to do.

Now, I'm charged up and stocking.

Perhaps you may choose to look into some of the oddities of the hobby instead of the usual "bread and butter" fish out there. Also, you can be amazed at what happens when you start helping a local newbie find his way around.

If you need a break, take one. As it has been said, this isn't a religion or a job. If you can store your tanks away in a manner that will keep the seals moist, you'll be in good shape if you decide to come back.
 
As a very long-term hobbyist, I have found that do start burning out regularly, also at roughly 10 year intervals.

Some fish stay as constant companions - there are always some puffer tanks around. Others are good for some time span - then I get bored. If I am bored, I start slacking off and then shutting down tanks. When I get that "low point" in the cycle, I start looking for new interests - then comes a Cichlid-breeding phase, or a planted schooling fish phase, or a tank-buster phase,or SW, or BW, or specialized experimental tanks (always some of those around, but of widely differing natures). My currently developing interest is FW inverts, and highly specialized linked tank systems (refugia, plenums, etc.). There is always something new to learn, and some selection of fish that I have never worked with - soI try a variety of things and something always catches fire for me and revives my interest.
 
Feel your pain... I was maintaining a large tank of growing discus. The joke is, by the time they got relatively large, I was burnt out big-time. I sold them, the tank & even took a break from this site.

I regret selling the tank!

I still love discus, but for now I'm content admiring them from a distance. :)

Currently I have an oscar who's been with me almost 2 yrs. I've grown completely attached & can never sell him.

I agree with LongTime that you should get a fish that suits your personality. When I first started out I bought any pretty fish I saw. Now, crawling my way back into the hobby, I focus on getting a friend I can imagine still being around in 10-15 yrs time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom