Taking the next step

snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
After a great internal debate and my love for all things aquatic, I am getting really bored with the hobby. I feel like there is not much else I can learn from reef tanks... and my cash flow doesn't allow me at this time to pursue my interests fully. I'm not getting out of the hobby though, I enjoy it too much. I am just getting bored with standard tanks.
I thought that my new SPS reef tank would amuse me for a little while. However, I know all the chemical balancing, I know all of the conversions, the lighting, the water flow patterns, etc. etc. If I wanted a full blown SPS reef, all I would have to do is have the money to do it. Boredom. I will, however, keep my little SPS reef going because of the fish and corals that I have now, mainly.
Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy helping new hobbyists with their tanks and helping people understand new concepts and biology. That's what has been keeping me going for awhile now. I love to see others fascination with saltwater creatures and their curiosity peaking and how many exclamation marks they put after a new discovery... I love it, and I will always be around to help.
Instead of upgrading my SPS tank to something larger and more complex next year, I am going to invest in an aspect of the hobby that not many people get into.
But, as my curiosity wanes from reefkeeping, I am moving on to the next step of the saltwater hobby - which is aquaculturing livestock. I've always wanted to do it, not only for my own personal enjoyment, but also to try to make back some money for a second job. No, I will not advertise here or sell from here at all, so don't ask. If I am successful at this new aspect of the hobby, I will mostly be trying to sell to live fish stores and online stores that want quality livestock, so don't ask for individual purchases.
I am going to try to share with everyone here my experiences while getting into this aspect of the hobby. Over the next six months I am going to be acquiring tanks, pumps, plumbing and other knick-knacks that I need to get this off the ground. If anyone has suggestions, please offer them.
I just wanted to start this thread and leave it open for anyone that wants to discuss my thoughts or offer suggestions.
 
E

eric b 125

Guest
How much for a tri color acro?

My interest in this hobby waxes and wanes. Sometimes I'm really into my tank and other times I feel like it's a waste of time. I think the weather has a lot to do with it, too. Once Spring hits and I can go windsurfing I don't even find time to so much as poke my head into the forums.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I remember a time when I first started when everything was new and exciting and I didn't know the names of anything, let alone the acronyms. Not really lost my curiosity, just getting to the point where I need to step it up a notch or move on to fixing motorcycles. Lol
 
E

eric b 125

Guest
Hey man, if motorcycles are your thing then go fix them. I can assure you, though, that you have not reached the end of this hobby.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/390735/taking-the-next-step#post_3461857
Thankyou flower
Young man...I changed my post from early this morning (I thought it was too harsh)...I was a little hurt you refused to ever sell your livestock to any of us, and told us not to even bother to ask. Not to mention the arrogance of thinking you know it all so now it's boring. How you enjoy the excitment of us uneducated ones when you share your genious with us....thank goodness you will still be around to help us.
Personally I don't think you meant it the way it sounds...that's why I changed my post...but now you know how it appears, at least to me anyway. You really come off as a guy with a head so big that I'm surprised your neck can hold it up.
I really do wish you the very best and happiness, you have lots on your plate right now. I do applaud your efforts to find a way to start a new business.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/390735/taking-the-next-step#post_3461871
Young man...I changed my post from early this morning (I thought it was too harsh)...I was a little hurt you refused to ever sell your livestock to any of us, and told us not to even bother to ask. Not to mention the arrogance of thinking you know it all so now it's boring. How you enjoy the excitment of us uneducated ones when you share your genious with us....thank goodness you will still be around to help us.
Personally I don't think you meant it the way it sounds...that's why I changed my post...but now you know how it appears, at least to me anyway. You really come off as a guy with a head so big that I'm surprised your neck can hold it up.
I really do wish you the very best and happiness, you have lots on your plate right now. I do applaud your efforts to find a way to start a new business.
BAHAHAHA....I read your post Flower
 
novahobbies

novahobbies

Well-Known Member
I didn't think it sounded arrogant really...just a man who's bored with the direction his hobby was going. Similar to why I'm not really into model-building as much anymore...been there, done that, had fun, but sometimes it's time to move on. Flower, I think Snake's comment about the "selling to board members" had much more to do with this site's TOS than any possible feeling of superiority over the rest of us knuckle-dragging troglodynian hobbyists.

On the other hand, Snake, how's about you try something completely different? People are still learning how to keep NPS corals and gorgonians long term, there are cold water reefs to explore, and of course you could try the challenge of one of the "impossible" species like sea moths or batfish. Consider something more exotic, such as cuttlefish or octopi. I'm just saying that there are a lot of options available, especially to an advanced hobbyist who has the experience under his or her belt to plan and attempt some of these more difficult systems. Personally I'd love to see someone try a benthic biotope with filter feeders such as sea squirts, sponges, and NPS gorgs....it has been done, but more often by large public aquariums than by individual hobbyists.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Now doesn't blow my skirt up, but it would be a challenge.
Im moving on to a fish breeding operation. There are many species which have yet to be propagated in captivity. That should provide many more years of enjoyment.
Yes, you are correct, nova, per the rules of this forum, I cant openly sell fish from the forums to individual hobbyists. I've already been banned from this forum once, I don't want to risk doing it again.
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
You feel you have learned everything? I learn every time I get into something else in this hobby. Just recently started learning about VSV dosing instead of just vodka. May be my next experiment in the keeping of reef critters. There is always something new and exciting out there for reef enthusiasts. Just gotta keep reading and see where the hobby is going. You think the guru's stop learning? Look at the things acrylic is getting into. New and exciting things he is trying out for the first time.
May be time to climb down off of the pedestal you have put yourself on and take a good look at the opportunities.
by the way if you think you are going to make money aquaculturing there is a lot of competition out there.
 
kiefers

kiefers

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by spanko http:///t/390735/taking-the-next-step#post_3461990
You feel you have learned everything? I learn every time I get into something else in this hobby. Just recently started learning about VSV dosing instead of just vodka. May be my next experiment in the keeping of reef critters. There is always something new and exciting out there for reef enthusiasts. Just gotta keep reading and see where the hobby is going. You think the guru's stop learning? Look at the things acrylic is getting into. New and exciting things he is trying out for the first time.
May be time to climb down off of the pedestal you have put yourself on and take a good look at the opportunities.
by the way if you think you are going to make money aquaculturing there is a lot of competition out there.
Interesting Henry..... VSV. Yes I see where you are going, been dabbing a little with the idea with the super washing soda idea from Mr. Farley. Wife's been reading up on it alot here lately.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I give Seth a hard time a lot, but I honestly do like him......
I read your post last night right after it was posted basically and I chose to not respond, because my response would have been harsh.....I do have to agree that I did take it as arrogance, when you stated you've figured it all out......There is NO ONE......in this hobby that has it all figured out and to even think you remotely have things figured out.....As Henry pointed out everyday is a learning experience......Not just this hobby, but with life in general Seth.....If you can honestly go 1 day without learning something; your dead dude......
There's so much in this hobby to explore.....Seth even I get quite discouraged form time to time.....I get discouraged a lot around this forum for the mere fact that many refuse to think or look outside the box......We only take what we see written/typed here, and I do get upset when 1 won't even venture to consider there are other ways to tackle handle a problem here.....Maybe spend your free time over on the big forum and get the real technical info and force feed us.......
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
What in the friggidy heck kind of thread is this?!?!?!?!?!

See, I'm always seeing something new.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I use a kiss method to reef keeping. Vsv and vodka dosing etc is irrelevant to me. I don't overstock my tanks enough to do any of that mess.
I'm not on a pedistal. I hate that you all are taking it that way. I was simply stating that it's no longer a challenge to keep standard tanks and I don't have the funds to do and get what I would really want to do.
I don't expect profit from aquaculture. Break even perhaps. But, mainly doin it for entertainment. Challenge. Thrill. A new aspect of the hobby.
Maybe I worded everything wrong. Maybe you all are putting me on the pedistal and when I say something you all take it the wrong way. I don't really care anymore.
I am as you say, discouraged and bored and looking for something new and exciting and these comments is what I am met with? From who I consider friends?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top