Saltwater fish as a hobby vs. the beach

[mandy]

Hey everyone! I was just wondering, how
many of you saltwater enthusiasts out
there use reefkeeping as an alternative
to hanging out by the ocean? Is it the
fish that interests you or the fact that
you can own and maintain a tiny bit of
ocean in your own home? How many beach
bum surfer dudes are there out there who
have their own reef system set up in their
homes so that they are totally immersed
in what they love?
Mandy
p.s.- I like being near the
ocean, but don't prefer to be in
it. The salt and sand is annoying
to me when I can't get it off
my skin.
[This message has been edited by Mandy (edited 06-30-2000).]

 

[fishgirl]

I am a beach fanatic AND a fish obessionist, and am totally emersed in both!! Neither one could ever replace the other!!! Water is totally my element... (maybe I was meant to be a fish...J/K LOL!!!)

 

[kmr]

I grew up in So. Calif. Surfed some boogie boarded mostly. I live on the Puget Sound for 5.5 years now. I fish for salmon and boat around alot here. I love the ocean and keep a reef so I can have a tropical piece of it around me. And yes sand in the shorts can be annoying!
Kirk

 

[clayton]

Scuba diving is the best way of combining them both! I love it!!!

 

[mr . salty]

I am relativly new to this, But I love it. I'm not sure if it's the chalange of making it all work, or the joy I get knowing IT IS working. Then there's Those days I come home from work totally stressed out, A few minutes of just sitting and watching my tank, and I feel better (very peacfull) I should have started this years ago. STEVE

 

[reptilicus]

Hi,
Never can you have too much of the ocean. I have a 700-litre reef, I study Marine Science at University, I work at a LFS, I SCUBA dive and surf in my spare time. I'm lucky in that I live about 20 minutes drive from some of the best beaches in the world and about a 4-hour flight from the Great Barrier Reef. It's nice to go up there although the diving of Sydney is surprisingly goos. I can collect tiggerfish, wrasses, tangs, butterflies, angels, coral banded shrimp and heaps of other things 20 minutes from my door. It still doesn't compare to the Reef though. My University has a research station at One Tree Island on the Great Barrier Reef so I can go up there for really cheap, as well as to many other spots on the GBR. In fact, that's exactly what I'm doing when those bloody Olympics are on. While all those tourists are down in Sydney I'll be diving out in the Coral Sea! Too much water, NEVER!!!
Tom

 

[mr . salty]

HEY LOKIE, Parrotheads rule. I won a trip to see Buffett in LA new years eve party 2000. STEVE

 

[eelman]

I love fishing and evverything that has to do with fishing-ie. tying flies ect... I just wish that u could fish like bonefish, redfish, seatrout,perch ext.. in a marine tank.

 

[harris]

I was a Marine Biologist for about 2 1/2 years at college, then a Biologist, then a chemist (don't ask). I live near the ocean and have a 30 gallon reef. I enjoy both. I am a YMCA certified advanced openwater Scuba diver, as well as an avid skin diver. I also surf and skim board. I enjoy all aspects of the ocean. Plus the aquarium is it's own city that runs at your command. It is great to sit back with a few beers and watch. Always something new.....

 

[corky]

My 75 gallon tank is new and so is my joy of having it! I live 3 1/2 blocks from the beach and love it too. I can easily spend hours just watching my fish or sitting on the beach watching or riding the waves. I guess the best pleasures are the simplest (not that having a tank is that easy!- lol).