What this hobby can do to you!!!

I started at about age 12 (hard to remember now that I am OLD!). I have had
some periods with none, but I guess I agree that its for old-folks, I just started again and I am 62 -- I guess that counts as OLD :-) Anyway, yes it can be expensive if you want it to be, it can be inexpensive too -- depends on how you deal with things. I do lots of DIY (lights, co2) -- but any "hobby" that does not take time and effort is not really a hobby. I DO love walking around my LFS, and sometimes I even buy something, but just looking is fun too -- I don't think I have ever felt negatively about the hobby, even the time my saltwater tank drained all over the floor due to a stuck fluval -- while I as on vacation and a neighbour was looking after it -- maybe the neighbour had a negative thought though. Anyway, I think its a great hobby and you can have fun playing with it or just looking at it or both.
 
raymond_h2002 said:
There is a lot of information you can read about that has nothing to do with what you're bored of seeing (mistreatment, walmart, etc). So you must have a good grasp of biology and chemistry, how to maintain a planted tank, CO2 injection, the kH relation to pH, fertilization, breeding, raising fry... and I haven't even mentioned marine yet. How about a nano-reef for a challenge?

Money a limiting factor? How about DIY projects? Craigslist? Within a month of looking, I've already got 3 tanks for free, including a 30g with a stand and a magnum 350 for $20. Gravel/sand can be bought in 50lb bags for a few dollars if you're willing to look for what would work. Fish can be obtained from people who don't want them anymore. People who maintain planted tanks often have clippings they're literally throwing away. Split a 2L of excel with some plant nuts, build your own T8's, get some dry fertilizer, and you can maintain any planted tank under 30 gallons for over a year, all under $50. You can piece together anything. Test your creativity and ingenuity!

Maybe I'm too new to this, but I don't see the limits of this hobby being breached by anyone. I got sick of the walmart and mistreatment threads within the 3rd post I saw, so I simply stopped reading them, and moved on to more interesting things. If you're getting sick or bored, it's because you're sticking to what you already know. Learn more chemistry and biology! Test conventional knowledge and push the known limits so that you can lay claim to new boundaries.

We are in the golden age of biology. The genomes of several organisms have been sequenced, leaps are being made in stem cell research, incidences of cancer are in a decline for the first time in like 80 years.. and humans are finally beginning to understand the impact we have on our environment. Learning to balance the ecology of your mini-fishworld can have the beneficial side effect of helping you understand these important issues surrounding our lives.

You're already king of your pond; get out and explore the ocean!
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That was really well said. Pretty inspirational for a newbie to this hobby! ;)
 
I love the hobby, but it does have its negatives. My biggest problem is that it kind of ties you down. The fish I keep can not be fed with automatic feeders and require at least a good size water change each week (Discus), this means that if I go out of town, I need someone to take care of the fish. I guess its almost like having to take care of a family. As for the postives, I actually enjoy trimming the plants and making it look pretty...its much easier then taking care of a large garden. I also like the DIY aspect. For example, I just purchased an unfinished stand and finished it myself...very rewarding. I also bought a tile saw and made slate caves for my plecos. By the way, if you are spending lots of money on gravel, just go to home depot, you can get 25 lbs for $4.
 
I believe that Yuri only meant this hobby is for old people in the sense that it requires patience. Patience is normally attributed to older people and found missing in most young people.

I do not find it offensive in the least. I would find it suprising that someone would be offended by being called patient.
 
Watcher74 said:
I believe that Yuri only meant this hobby is for old people in the sense that it requires patience. Patience is normally attributed to older people and found missing in most young people.

I do not find it offensive in the least. I would find it suprising that someone would be offended by being called patient.
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Explendid! Marvelous! Magnificient! Very well said.

Either people can't read/see well because of old age or they can not read between the lines.

But arrrg, Mr. Watcher74 amazing. There is still hope...there is still hope.
 
I assumed Yuri meant old people in the sense they are retired and have the time to spend on all the aspects of fish keeping.

Yuri, all I can say is maybe you jumped into it to fast and deep.

Its really not that much work. Scale down a little.

Go with fake plants, that'll save time/ money on ferts, trimming, landscaping etc.

All that is left is a water change, gravel cleaning which can be done with the water change and feeding the fish. Can't get any easier than that.

When I do my water change I use a python type ( Lees ), but you could DIY this one much cheaper. But my python doesn't have enough pull to gravel vac. So I only use it to fill the tanks, or if I'm not doing a gravel vac that time. If I do a gravel vac its with a 5 gallon bucket and then I fill the tanks with the python. Cuts out a lot of time.

No one ever said a tank had to look good to anyone but yourself. There is no law that says you need to kill yourself trying to keep fish.

Scale back and I bet you'll start enjoying it again. Then when you feel you have the time start adding plants again. Go low light and easy plants, then work your way up.

HTH
 
I've had my ups and downs with this hobby; I think we all have. But I keep coming back to it. Something about the interaction of all the life in that tank keeps me coming back. That and the sheer beauty of the fishes I keep.

After a catastrophic tank implosion (my fault), it took me 5 years to want to set up another one. The whole time I kept looking at my vacant tank stand and wondering when the urge would strike. Last year it struck...and I've had a setback I've never experienced before. Slowly things are coming back under control and I feel some enjoyment again. As things get more and more back to normal, I know the enjoyment will only increase.

So...don't push it. If the 60-gal seems too much, only use the 10. Don't become so disillusioned that the animals suffer. If you really don't like it, or it's becoming too expensive, opt out. And find a place for the fishes you have. There have got to be hobby groups in your area you could appeal to.

Insofar as being only fit for old people; all I can say is - how typical of a young person to think this. :)
 
I am getting a little offended by using the term "old" as an insult. I have always had great admiration for the older people in our society. I really hope to be an old person one day. To use that term in a derogatory sense is offensive.
 
Watcher74 said:
I am getting a little offended by using the term "old" as an insult. I have always had great admiration for the older people in our society. I really hope to be an old person one day. To use that term in a derogatory sense is offensive.
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I hate political correctness....

Its only taken as an insult by those who think its meant for them.

If you didn't think you were old it wouldn't bother you. Not that this person even meant it that way, you took it that way which is worse. Sugar coating words is a PITA. Everytime you speak you have to be extra careful to not say something to offend 1 person in the world.

Well people that sensitive that a word actually bothers them need to 1st of all grow up. Then they need to go to some little island and make there own utopia where they can make their little rules about what can be said. The world has become so whipped and its sickening. If you're fat you're fat, not weight challenged.
 
I love this hobby :D I haven't gotten bored yet and I don't intend to.

It started with a 10 gallon, soon turned into a 29 gallon with all the trimmings. If I had been able to fit it in, that 29 would have been a 55- maybe someday.

I have lots of hobbies. Fishkeeping is expensive, but . . .

I also collect stamps, talk about expensive . . . Fishkeeping has distracted me enough from stamp collecting that I have actually saved LOTS of money.

When I used to dance ballet, I was able to wear out pointe shoes that cost 50-100 dollars in a 3 hour workout! Some lasted longer. But, bad knees ended that hobby. I'm still sad about that.

I play the oboe. My loree oboe which I got for a steal, 3000 dollars. New ones cost about 5,800 dollars! Reeds: 18 dollars each. They last about a month max.

Anyway, fishkeeping has saved me money. Of course, I still collect stamps, but I don't spend as much time hunting and researching for a great find. Like my Washington 315 that just came in! Sorry, a little off course . . .

So, fishkeeping can actually save you money, if you look at relatively! ;) :joke:
 
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