Why are there so many beginners giving up?

[blueheaven]

Hi guys, just wondering why is there so many beginners giving up this hobby with reasons like they have no time to maintain, LS keep dying, algae problems and hobby getting too expensive?

I thought that those who want to start should first plan carefully and even if they don't they should be able to get help here. Since SRC is to educate beginners on this hobby, how come this is still happening? Are the beginners not learning enough here?

Pls give constructive comments and I will close this thread if anybody throws insults, no matter direct or indirect

[barnacle]

ppl are attracted to the beauty of marine,

never realise that it needs commitment, responsiblity, discipline etc.....

by the time they realise, its too late.......

nemo craze still exist???

[RAV-65]

One thing I must say which I myself am guilty of... many beginners dun read enough... There's a abundance of info on the internet and also in SRC... but too lazy to read...

[ozy]

You cannot blame them as there are still claims of maintenance free setups around.

[barnacle]

You cannot blame them as there are still claims of maintenance free setups around.

IMO only when u read enuff, u noe there is no such thing as

maintenance free set ups

[ozy]

You see, it is a chicken and egg problem. Many do not know where to begin to obtain information. So they have to rely on their contact to the hobby. If the contact is trustworthy, they will have a good experience with the hobby, otherwise many would just give up disgruntled.

[hermit]

every body wanna start this hobby is greatly due to the beauty of the reef......hence without consider the amount they goin to invest, they just kick off with an average size tank..........

some time later, not long, found that their monthly income may not be able to let them continue the tank....so, no choice......quit..................

to me, i must say is MONEY PROBLEM....................

if a working adult dun have so much commitment, i think he or she may still continue the hobby..........

if you are one of them, i think you will also think twice of keeping it...............

money money money................!!!

[hotlemond]

there may be reefers who failed thru lack of understanding and the requirement of this hobby, but there also those that have to made changes so that livelihood can be substained.

Not everyone has a dependent financially or a better work environment which they can grow with the organisation long term.

those will have to 'move on".

such changes in another environment may just require alot of thier time. So wat are the choices??

Comon, if you dun bring home the meat, you cant feed them'

I have witnessed myself too here that newbie gave up simply cos they haven't study this hobby enough to successfully start up a small reef, but that IMO simply doesn't qualify for a topic with such description to be to started here. Never forget that there are many adults here struggling hard to embark on a better career/future. This one you cannot deny cos I AM ONE OF THEM.....

Are you not stereotyping ppl now??

wat survey/interview have you done to come up with such comment?

I didn't recieve your pm. did you know why i gave up? I must also be a newbie to you rite??

In life, do we not need some research/references to add weight and back up our comments?

I am not being personal hor...

[blueheaven]

Well we cannot deny those who have been in this hobby and decided to give up due to reasons like new work commitments or even having a new responsibility in the family.

But the people in focus now are those who jump in and give up in a month or two simply because they cannot properly maintain their systems. There is no doubt about it as it is already evident if you look through the Pasar Malam forum.

And of course many are under the influence of Finding Nemo that they start this hobby under impulse.

Since SRC is supposed to help these people and pass on the knowledge of responsible reefkeeping, why are there still so many people dropping out and not being able to learn from the thousands of posts made here?

[ckevin]

Many do not realise the amount of tender loving care (not to mention mollahs) we have put into our reefs to upkeep the look. I have discouraged many would be impulsive reefers to even start on the hobby. I will always give them a breakdown of costs (recommending only reliable and mid-priced equipment which do not required upgrading too soon) followed by maintenance routine.

From their reactions; or none, i can tell whether their enthusiasm is short-lived.

Sadly, many of them cannot pass the test and they will almost soon lose the interest to start. But at least they have not wasted their time and money to quit on the hobby.

Beginners quit because they are not prepared for the failure. They are not empowered with sufficient know how and usually 'gabra' when things go wrong. And you know how one problem can lead to the next major issue in Marine tanks.

Also they tend to buy "shitty" equipment when they start . That is like the newbie stage when everything they buy seems wrong. Everyone(almost) has been through it ,including myself.

But hey! We have the internet. If anyone thinks SRC does not give good advice, then there are many others which any reefer will point out very quickly if only these beginners ask. No excuse..really...to say "I don't know"

Someone touched on financial issues and i cannot agree more. Not too long ago, my friend wanted to buy a 2nd hand 4ft tank and i told him not to jump on the first offer. I told him" look in SRC. So many reeferrs are downsizing. Take your time and squeeze them on the price.(i know this sounds bad but this is truth and he is my close buddy). Many reefers think bigger is better, But when they start on corals and upgrade equipment, the costs is overwhelming."

Moral of story, find out how deep the hole is before you jump.

At the end of the day, thousand and one things can go wrong. But if your passion is real, all it takes is one flourishing coral to make it worth.

[blueheaven]

Well said ckevin

This is the type of comment I am looking for

[FuEl]

One major reason is time. In Singapore there is always so many things to be done (if you are working you know what I mean), yet so little time... especially if you have a family. It's often hard to balance your time between your reef tank, family and work...even studies (did'nt apply to me though.. ) Ask the reefers (especially the hardcore ones) how much time they spend on their tanks a day..

So in short..if people did'nt have to work, got paid for reefing (how good would that be?), had lots of spare time...there will be alot of successful reefers.

[hotlemond]

One major reason is time. In Singapore there is always so many things to be done (if you are working you know what I mean), yet so little time... especially if you have a family. It's often hard to balance your time between your reef tank, family and work...even studies (did'nt apply to me though.. ) Ask the reefers (especially the hardcore ones) how much time they spend on their tanks a day..

So in short..if people did'nt have to work, got paid for reefing (how good would that be?), had lots of spare time...there will be alot of successful reefers.

i totally agreeed with that Fuel.

I remember a few ocassion i had to rush home after work to feed, top up water and then rush off to my appointment.

It was rushing, but it gave me a sound piece of mind.

ya, i know about the tubby...

[akahoshi]

Well, It's this kind of people that come and go in reefing that keeps our LFS in business.

[hotlemond]

Well we cannot deny those who have been in this hobby and decided to give up due to reasons like new work commitments or even having a new responsibility in the family.

But the people in focus now are those who jump in and give up in a month or two simply because they cannot properly maintain their systems. There is no doubt about it as it is already evident if you look through the Pasar Malam forum.

And of course many are under the influence of Finding Nemo that they start this hobby under impulse.

Since SRC is supposed to help these people and pass on the knowledge of responsible reefkeeping, why are there still so many people dropping out and not being able to learn from the thousands of posts made here?

Ok. Bh. I get to further understand your worries/concern.

in fact, they are valid.

But I dun think this calls for more discussion, it just seems that we are just talking about the problem. We need to tackle on this further.

IMHO, really....

we lack a good guide on our side for newbies.

now I am not saying SRC is lousy. No..

In fact I talk to several LFS and they all agreed that SRC is wats keeping the local reefing alive and connected.

but as much as a new employee comes to a job/task (as i view it), they need clear direction.

Any newbies, are the same newbies. they all need the fundamentals.

Now we do have good helpful reefers to thier questions, but wont it be better that they have an overview of the phases they will go thru from cycling to getting some decent corals and fish to last another day in thier tank?

it aids in letting them know wats happening? wats next to do to reach another level of objective? I can't figure the words for it. but if you ask me? Its like getting them more aware, which do great help in getting more control.

Of course it cannot be possible to give specific details to individual, but rather in generic trems.

Here's wat I am talking about:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.p...25&pagenumber=1

( a very good read by WaterKeeper, have the patient and you will absorb plenty)

http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77883

(It practically applies to our local newbies on an adventure)

peace eh...

[Reefbum]

Commitment and hard work is essential for this hobby.Many beginners are captivated by its beauty but lack the drive, knowledge and most importantly money to see it through.At the end of the day, it is only those that truly appreciate the wonders of the sea that stick to it.

[Kelmen]

Yoh, bad things ppl can find out easily, like many newbie gave up...

how about those good or positive one? Like newbie is loving their marine tank now.... and forgot to feed his dog....

if these good\positive marine newbie are doing good is because of SRC, then it mean SRC is working.

Cannot credit all bad scores to SRC because of quiter, you know.

[cdckjn]

Here's wat I am talking about:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.p...25&pagenumber=1

( a very good read by WaterKeeper, have the patient and you will absorb plenty)

http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77883

(It practically applies to our local newbies on an adventure)

THANKS Bro,

These above 2 sites makes EXCELLENT reading.

It is a pity that fellow reefers that give up easily - 2 things can happen

a. the rest of us who continue to keep trying benefits from the sales of 2nd hand items.

b. their failures remind us those that this is a responsibility to own a little piece of nature - that is takes time, efforts, money to do what we like to do - that is to won a little piece of nature.

Think about that......

[pangz]

they too lazy to change water on a regular basis?

at least i know i really dread it....

[yus75]

i remember wen i started tis hobby more than 2yrs back, it was jus a simple setup frm my freshwater tank..... i started in a hard way....tat time i remember those senior reefers here keep telling tat we nead to read n read n read.....i dun wanna waste too much $$$ so i gotto set a proper plan for a new tank n follow the basic rule..... u guyz believe tat initially i spends hour n hours everyday read abt reefin in tis src n other websites....i try to understand why tis gotto be tis n the reason behind it....till now i still learnin (learnin will nvr ends) n improve my reef keepin.....

[blueheaven]

That's good yus, keep it up!

[gothia]

well.. not of us have rich parents, mostly are working adults, mainly family man.

it maybe due to the increase of electricity bill or the spouse might not like the idea of having a tank at home.... various reasons

people can also quit with experience & knowledge vice versa...

i suppose if someone were to throw in hell alot of money into reefing.. they will not quit for no particular reason that is weighing them down...