What's your MOST rewarding thing about this hobby??

i also enjoy watching corals develop, not just cuz i have a bigger piece but its just exciting to watch a coral either split a head, or an acan grow a new head, or sps encrust a rock and develop a colony..

like others said, there really isnt one thing that attracted me to this hobby..its everything..

 

There are so many rewards. Can I say my proudest moments?

Successfully training my OSFF to eat frozen and to have them thrive for a year and a half (and counting).

Successfully keep a black foot lion for over a year (and counting).

Converting an Ambon to frozen.

And a big raspberry to those who said I couldn't do it. (not on this site).


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Sent from Tapatalk, so please forgive grammar and spelling

 

I just find it all fascinating and beautiful. Frankly, I think my reef tanks are responsible for keeping me sane while I was dealing with an ex-spouse that had some mental health issues. I was helped in a big way many years ago and I enjoy giving back like they did. I've been able to do fragging demonstrations to teach hundreds upon hundreds of people over the years. I've been able to organize frag swaps locally. I've rescued and re-homed many stingrays, bat rays, and sharks to places that can actually handle animals of those sizes. I know all of these things seem like work, and they are, but I enjoy doing it. Heck, I even like modding. (Modding is not what people think it is....most of what we do is behind the scenes and very boring. However, it's necessary and when I watch members greet new members, take time to help others, figure out mysteries in others tanks, then my work is worth it).

 

Wow, that's cool. Do you happen to have a thread on this? I'd like to read more about this.

 

I don't even know where to start. Before I joined 3reef i was happy to have a tank and I jumped in and never thought about going slow. I studied for months, read and researched for what I wanted and was interested in. Every time I saw a fish I put it in my tank with no thoughts of the consequences. I just wanted to show off but in a negative way. But the real reason for this hobby it has helped me through mental and physical health. After being injured in Iraq and settling down I really had nothing but doctors appointments,long stays in the hospital, and lots of prescriptions. Since the tank my health has improved, my prescriptions dropped in half, and my physical health sorta improved thanks to those dang gone water changes. Even though they are not good for my back.

 

3reef members helping me out.

A beer and a chair sittin in front of the tank. Very relaxing.

 

I like banning spammers for 2 years
and noticing their user name still at the bottom of the screen
as it has not sunk in that they have been banned and thats why they cant see any of the forums

some of them hang around for ages afterwards, trying to come to terms with it
they must keep hitting the refresh button, and maybe even trying other internet sites
to check if its a problem with their computer

finally it sinks in and they are logged out


'they came to sell , they got a door slammed in their faces!

thats one of the highlights of moderating for me

Steve

 

Learning new things - relaxation - growing corals and feeding corals. Actual I like everything about this obsession. Well minus the money spent LOL - but that's why I have a job.......

 

You are a true reef pimp Steve. I want to be like you.

 

Wow man - such a captivating story - so glad to hear tanks have been helpful for you. I would not be surprised to see a major push in indoor environments in the next decade or so to incorporate more and more natural elements such as plants, earth, and water for these very reasons!!!!

And a true, heartfelt THANK YOU for your incredibly brave service! It's thanks to heroes such as yourself that we can all sit comfortably behind our computers screens and share our love of this way of life.