Just wondering where everyone went? Did a lot of people leave the hobby or just the forum? This place was hopping about 9 years ago (when i was a NOOB)! If you are active post something here so I can learn everyone again
This about sums it up for me as well. I still like to check in when I have time though. Got some plans for my 29g in the near future though. May have to post for that.I am right with zig on the work issue. Plus I have not had much to report with my tanks.
I talked to a former owner of a very successful fish store. He sold his store in 2001. He thinks the hobby is in total free fall. Tropical fish stores are closing like bowling alleys and arcades across the country. The kids nowadays are into computers, tablets and gaming systems, not aquariums. If you go visit a tropical fish club, most of the people in attendance are usually over 50 years of age. Unfortunately, it's an old persons hobby and new people are not filling the vacancies when other people quit or die. Also it's an economic problem. The youth today are saddled with huge debt from college. Many can't even find jobs or can afford an apartment or car. And now exploding mandatory health insurance costs is taking away lots of peoples disposable income. The hobby is not cheap. So young people just can't afford to get into the hobby even if they wanted too. It's very sad. I've searched quite a few tropical fish forums the last few days. So many popular forums are now deserted with only limited posts. Another friend of mine visited a large trade show in FL last year. He said it was totally empty compared to 4 years ago. He wondered where all the buyers went. I believe another trade show was cancelled in New Jersey this year due to lack of interest by vendors. Unfortunately, it's a sign of the times.Just wondering where everyone went? Did a lot of people leave the hobby or just the forum? This place was hopping about 9 years ago (when i was a NOOB)! If you are active post something here so I can learn everyone again
lots of people just went back to lurking.Just wondering where everyone went? Did a lot of people leave the hobby or just the forum? This place was hopping about 9 years ago (when i was a NOOB)! If you are active post something here so I can learn everyone again