Getting bored of hobby?

[xDestro]

I stayed obsessed with the hobby for a solid 6-7 months, I got 3 tanks set up in the month's but now Iv just lost motivation. I dread doing maintenance and my work schedule doesn't help. I kind of put myself in a pickle.. I love my bichirs in my 75 and my gulpers are awesome when I feed them but other than that I guess im bored. Honestly I would still love a large tank 180-220 and I think getting one setup with ease of maintenance in mind would bring me back but it's so expensive. ideally I would love a large ease of maintenance tank and a small planted tank for my dwarf Congo puffer. But I would still need another tank for my 2 gulpers so I'd end up with 3 tanks again. I think my main issue is I can't pull myself to get rid of anything to start taking down at least 1 tank..... Do you guys ever have this or what's ur opinion? Maybe how do you guys make maintenance easier or stay motivated?

 

[itrebebag99]

Try putting your aquariums on automated systems to reduce maintenance. Maybe try re-scaping your tanks to make them move interesting, replacing gravel with tiles to reduce maintenance, change lighting, etc.

 

[Kittiee Katt]

I've never had this problem, I've always been very happy with my hobby life.

If you're getting bored, why not try some light reading about your favorite fish? There's always something new to learn in this hobby. You have polys right? There is a ton of great articles on polys and they're life habits in the wild.

I assume I've never been bored with the hobby because I always keep my mind actively thinking about it, what I can improve on, how similar is the life of the fish in my glass box to that of their wild counterparts? What can I do to increase the similarities between the way my fish live and the way their wild cousins live? All these questions help keep my mind interested in the hobby.

Ease of maintenance is also a big thing, if your hobby feels like a chore you're probably not going to enjoy it.

If I were you I'd start reading about drip systems and automatic change systems. There's a ton of great info in the mfk D.IY section and even more in Setup and Filtration.

For your sake I hope you don't lose interest. This is a wonderful hobby, I can't imagine life without my fish now.

 

[Bigfishnut]

I got rays and built a giant tank and all the equipment to run it from scratch. The rays really motivate me to stay on top of everything because in my eyes they are the ultimate fish to keep. It actually made me keep all my other tanks at a higher standard. I occasionally get bored with a tank and make big changes. Had reef tanks and saltwater for a while, got bored with them and sold them. If your bored or lacking motivation try setting up something new or getting rid of some fish and trying new ones. Do you have an "ultimate" fish you dream of keeping? Maybe work toward getting that fish. Sometimes a walk through a good fish store or public aquarium can put the spark back into the hobby for you.

 

[xDestro]

I'm still living at home so auto drip systems are kind of a no even tho I would love it. If I had a larger tank I would definitely add a ball valve or somthing I can just hook up to and drain automatically. I did find myself really enjoying setting up and messing about with my tanks, I loved getting a new tank and planning out what I want a going to the lfs and getting new fish but that was back when I threw my money around and I can't do that anymore. I think I might take my gulpers and move them to a temp tub and redo the tank to bare bottom and maybe just have some potted plants in there. 1.5 inches of fine sand definitely gets dirty and Iv been having more and more trouble cleaning it. My 75 I need to lose some stock so maybe I'll start with that too

 

[xDestro]

I got rays and built a giant tank and all the equipment to run it from scratch. The rays really motivate me to stay on top of everything because in my eyes they are the ultimate fish to keep. It actually made me keep all my other tanks at a higher standard. I occasionally get bored with a tank and make big changes. Had reef tanks and saltwater for a while, got bored with them and sold them. If your bored or lacking motivation try setting up something new or getting rid of some fish and trying new ones. Do you have an "ultimate" fish you dream of keeping? Maybe work toward getting that fish. Sometimes a walk through a good fish store or public aquarium can put the spark back into the hobby for you.

My ultimate fish was gulpers.. Now I have them and their awesome but I can't keep anything with them... Tigrinus cat was something I saw and instantly fell in love with but boy would that cost me an arm and leg not only for the fish but tank too.

 

[xDestro]

My 20 gallon "planted" tank turned into a disaster so I definitely want to redo that. Maybe sell it and get a 40b and definitely take my time on it but as anything money plays an issue... I'm trying to save for a more reliable truck so in a few years I can move out and not have that "my car broke down" problem

 

[Bigfishnut]

My ultimate fish was gulpers.. Now I have them and their awesome but I can't keep anything with them... Tigrinus cat was something I saw and instantly fell in love with but boy would that cost me an arm and leg not only for the fish but tank too.

Something to work towards anyway! Never too early to start the planning stages. I spent 2 years planning for rays!

 

[xDestro]

I think what I need to do is make my gulper tank easiest to maintain. Take out substrate and very simple decor. My 75 I need to lower stock and maybe replace the fine sand with something that doesn't get sucked up in a gravel vac ( I really like what aquarium Co op sells but 60-80lbs it's expensive) and slowly work on getting a new planted tank set up the right way and then sell anything I don't need. If that doesn't work then I'm gonna have to start taking tanks down permanently

 

[aztsm]

I don't see how one could not get bored with fish keeping or any hobby from time to time. Especially when ones got a busy schedule.

I had many smaller tanks, then down to 1 large tank, and now back up to 4, all large. I find larger tanks much easier to maintain for some reason. I just hook up my 1" PVC drain system. I have all my tanks in one room, and I can drain them all before I can fill one back up. Large tanks, light stocking and light feedings. A nice sitting area to sit and chill I could stare for quite awhile on some days. Sometimes I don't sit down at all. I love my stocking though and am enjoying growing them out. I like rearranging the scape from time to time too.