Did Technology Kill This Hobby?

[this is me]

Notice the current lack of activity and interest in this hobby? Is it because technology has made it much more complicated than 10 years ago. Just look at all the controllers, pumps(AC and DC), skimmers, LEDs, etc. I remember when everyone was either running PC, VHO, or MH. Now, there's a good dozen or more LED variation with unlimited amount of color combo and controllability. It can get very complicated. Skimmers are now cone shape and recirculated and powered by DC pumps. Pumps have storm mode, tidal mode, and can be linked to your lighting. All this is good. However, if you don't know what you're doing, it can be quite daunting and kill your reef. And it the tank doesn't look the way you want, it's that much more discouraging when you spend a lot of money and you expect result.

When people come over and look at my tank. They say it's beautiful but when I explained how all the electronics work together to keep the tank running, they usually say it's complicated and they will never be able to set up something like that.

I remember when everything was just simple and more people was interested in the hobby and this forum was just hopping. Reef topics pops up every hours and market place is always quick sell or quick trade.

What's your thought on this? Did technology kill this hobby?

 

[MPevine11]

It's your choice what you use. If you want PC lighting get it. No need for anything fancy (I have PC lighting, not by choice, bout the tank used and that's what it came with)

With basic equiptment everything still works fine. No need for multiple thousand dollar tanks and multiple hundred dollar controllers. These things are just nice to have

 

[Overlook reef]

Although I understand your point, I am not sure I agree it is the reason this hobby is not growing. I think you can keep it simple or make it as complicated as you like. The all in one systems are great for beginners to advanced reefers. Also, the "older equipment" is still available and WORKS well. I believe expense and time is the bottleneck that prevents this hobby from bringing in many new hobbyists. I think people in general have less time and money to spend on a hobby that, if we are honest, can go wrong fairly quick. For the same reason I just stated, is one of the many reasons I love this hobby. The effort you put in usually produces great results, but it can change with one mistake or failed equipment. Also, some of the technology we are talking about makes our tanks more stable and a little less likely to have a catastrophic event.

 

[reefstarter]

The electronics pumps and other equipment DOES make it easier and the set up isn't that bad . I think we just need to show people that these tanks are full of life and constant change thats what I love about this , all that life in a glass cube . just awesome

 

[dz6t]

I think it is just summer time and people are on vacation

 

[Bobbofin]

I had an APEX AC Jr many years ago and it was more trouble than it was worth. Programming that thing made me metal and just another thing to break. Timer on a my fuge light, timers in my T5HO light, ATO, controller on my pumps and temp controller for safety and I'm all set. If I can't learn a piece of aquarium equipment in 10 minutes then I don't need it. Keep it simple, test water regularly, make changes very slowly, participate in good husbandry.

 

[mbian112283]

I find most people don't understand or want to deal with the test kits. That what I think is the biggest hurdle

 

[P-Nut]

I like complicated and I like the electronics. Reef tanks are not for everyone.

 

[joecamaro]

There is always a dropoff this time of year ask any lfs out there fish are Fall and Winter. Between vacations and kids being out of school....
Oh and I am pretty sure the economy isn't helping . I also think the technology allows more to people to sustain tanks that probably would have struggled back in the day of undergravel filters and airstones.

 

[RiverRat]

I think it is just summer time and people are on vacation

Between vacations and life in general, I just haven't had time to post as much as I would like on BRS. I haven't added anything new lately, but the tank is still going strong. The technology I use has made it easier for me to leave the tank for longer periods of time, it almost runs itself now.

 

[P-Nut]

There is always a dropoff this time of year ask any lfs out there fish are Fall and Winter. Between vacations and kids being out of school....
Oh and I am pretty sure the economy isn't helping . I also think the technology allows more to people to sustain tanks that probably would have struggled back in the day of undergravel filters and airstones.

This. I left my tank alone for 3 weeks while traveling for work. The tank ran itself.

 

[Rone]

I have no electronic stuff at all. I do things the old way and like to be involved in this on any level. I look forward to to testing and water changes along with just sitting and seeing growth in tank.
My set up is simple yet it holds the reef down. I even taught my daughter what to do in case I'm away for a period of time. This allows her a chance to get involved along with me. Even for a simple set up people still look at it as WOW!

 

[delta]

Nope not tecnology it's?social media and the fact it is not a huge mystery anymore. Add in the economy and you get what we have today. But I also think more snd more reefer are notl learning the fundamentals and so they are not asking the questions they should be. Lately has proven many do not understand basic tank chemistry. Which is fine but there is also an air it is not alright to ask questions. As well it is not alright for you to have things go wrong in your tank
I ahve tried to answer more questions lately and when i was running the club we made a point to answer question. And to try and set examples this has been lost over time. There is a whole list of things to buiod from on the site but pretty muuc it sits idle. Now that is not totally on the BODD. As you know Nick we used to spent hours and hours putting together TOTM article. Not the votr on a thread one and it. Was a ton of fun we got a huge in deptb look at peoples tanks and got talk reef. There used to be more tank tours, fishgoo was party thing not part of a meeting. Then there were reefers nights out. They in themselves brought lots of reeferes together. But if no one steps to lead then who is there too follow?

 

[Flame Angel]

Okay, put down your glass of water for a minute. Nothing is every simple or black and white anymore.

All interesting comments and vantage points of opinion. Remember, (I have my own saying for this, but it is not PC to type it) opinions are like finger prints. Everyone has them.

Did technology kill the hobby... no! Technology is a tool not a replacement for knowledge. Is it great to have for when you are on vacation, yes. Is it a replacement for physically staying on top of things...no.
Has the internet changed the hobby, yes. Like most things and I believe professionals will back this up... No one retains information anymore as it is easier to just "Google or Bing it". Do I wish we had this technology back in 1980 when I first got the saltwater bug... you bet I do.

As time goes on, things change. The club, the time people have to put into things like their hobbies and their priorities. New girlfriend, new wife, new home, new kids, loss of job, start of a new job, debt.

Many people give Mark ("Mr. Saltwater") the hairy eye. But I do agree with one of his opinions. You need to find out what kind of person you are in the hobby. A dabbler, fanatic or mad scientist (Dong, yes dong, I am referring to you-and that is not a bad thing).

People in the hobby vary in background from just the young teenager, regular Joe/Jane, computer science major, plumber, home maker to electrical engineer and chemical engineer.

When you take all of these things into account, no two people will agree or be able to meet at the same time. Hence the forum is a plus here. Many are willing to give their opinion and some factual opinion. The tough one is giving your opinion in a friendly way that helps and encourages the growth of the hobby and a friendship or camaraderie if you will. To attempt to guide someone by belittling them because they started a tank with damsels... really does not help. Educate them that there is a way to the same end result than stressing a fish. That in itself can just discourage or turn someone off to the hobby or the club as a whole.

You may hear me say this from time to time. This is a small community, we pretty much all know each other and that includes our sponsors. Very much like the oceans we have symbiotic relationships to each other.

The club has done tank tours over the past several years. Only a couple seem people taking advantage of the kindness and willingness of others in the club to open their home and share. Paul/Reefkeeper2 is a big supporter of this when we have the meetings in Taunton due to being in the vicinity.

I few members on the BOD over the past couple of years have attempted get together over the past several years as well. Those have not come to any major fruition as well due to distance and the availability of free time that everyone has due to other obligations etc.

I can only analogize some of this like work. There use to be weekly meetings face to face... now everything is done through email, Skype or other mechanism to avoid human contact. Smart phones with everyone being totally connected giving everyone the ability to communicate over distance.

I know that I cannot thank this years BOD enough and those that have stepped up to volunteer and help out. We have tried some old methods and some new methods to change things up and get a little spark into the club. People need to feel welcomed and part of what is going on. Peoples time if valuable and they need to know they are spending their time well with all the other distractions going on.

I really do not feel there is any one single answer to the question. Yes, this is a fish club when it comes down to it. But you need to look at it from a business perspective as well. Time is money, leverage your pluses and eliminate your negatives. Do your best to give your customers what they want and try to keep the ship floating level and moving forward on a good heading.

There are many good people in this club and I cannot say that loud enough. We all have something to offer from knowledge, time or skills.

We have four meetings left before the end of the calendar year. Two awesome meetings coming up with a couple of surprises I do not want to let out of the bag yet. I also want to declare October as newbie month and get others involved. You may be tapped to handle a task in your local area for the club.

I for one look forward to the meetings. You all get it and understand the passion of he hobby... When I am around the camp fire and talking to people they look at me like I am crazy when I tell them I have a saltwater tank... why would you want to do that... then how involved is it... there is a club with other crazy people like you... "yes, and not only am I a member, I am the President". (at least for now). Never mind telling them my screen name... I really did not think that one through. (you have to have a sense of humor!).

On that note. Stay well, keep your tanks water level up and be part of solution and support all we have here to share.

These are my own reflections and I do not speak for others on the BOD.

 

[Flame Angel]

This is why I do not post often.

 

[mnavick]

Well said Chris!

I for one use old school methods AND modern technology.
However society has changed with technology and with that comes the "instant" gratification necessity. As we all know this hobby DOES NOT APPLY to that. Many want an instant saltwater aquarium but do not realize it takes 3 months just for a cycle let alone a year plus for maturity

 

[fishmommy]

I think people in general have less patience/attention span than in days of yore.
The focus and persistence it takes to setup and maintain a system has become a rare thing indeed.
The American way today is fast!now!more!

 

[mchartier]

Nope not tecnology it's?social media and the fact it is not a huge mystery anymore. Add in the economy and you get what we have today. But I also think more snd more reefer are notl learning the fundamentals and so they are not asking the questions they should be. Lately has proven many do not understand basic tank chemistry. Which is fine but there is also an air it is not alright to ask questions. As well it is not alright for you to have things go wrong in your tank

Just throwing this out there, how about a sticky based on the chemistry aspect of the hobby. As for the most part most issues arrive from a bad parameter (particularly alk)? Or list references to proper articles on the subject. I know each tank is different but could do a sort of breakdown of things to expect during the first year or so of setting up a tank, ie: different blooms that may come (diatoms, GHA) more of a reference to new comers.

We could even do a monthly subject for open discussion, like relationship of alk calcium and magnesium, quarantine procedures (LFS holds fish for 2 weeks, is that enough?), acclimation (fish and corals), or photography. This way its based on a topic and we get input from the members as to how they deal with these issues and may find a better practice.

Yes I agree that the economy does have a big effect on our hobby, I really haven't added anything big to my tank in a while due to this along with family responsibilities. It is an expensive hobby but the reefkeeper has the ability to keep within budget. I would rather trade then sell or buy livestock.

Another thing is there are more resources than before, I do look at a few others along with this site daily, and I see members that were always on and contributing here do more so out on others. Some of it has to do with selling and they have a larger audience on other boards.

 

[delta]

This is why I do not post often.

It gives me the glazed ham effect

If you do things and they are small keep doing them many times it is that no one expects them to happen or then many cannot make it on a given date. Once you do a few and people give positive feedback it is only a matter of time. The reefers nights out at John Harvards were a blast and you get to meet a ton of people. Granted Moe use to just say Hey I am going to be here come if you want.

I also think people are missing out and not getting to the point they go out of their way to an event, casualy get together and get to talk reef. I mean to the point of you going I have to go know. (just do not leave your significant other in the car ) As once you start talking reef what you look like, do for work, do outside the hobby, time in the hobby, your sex or what ever all go out the window. I mean how many times do you talk about your tank (outside the club)and the people you are talking look like they just read one of Chris's/Flame Angels post? (I had to Chris it was too easy)

I am just getting to the point of decompression and hoping to return to attending meeting and being just a simple reefkeeper that happens to belong to a reef club.

 

[delta]

Just throwing this out there, how about a sticky based on the chemistry aspect of the hobby. As for the most part most issues arrive from a bad parameter (particularly alk)? Or list references to proper articles on the subject. I know each tank is different but could do a sort of breakdown of things to expect during the first year or so of setting up a tank, ie: different blooms that may come (diatoms, GHA) more of a reference to new comers.

We could even do a monthly subject for open discussion, like relationship of alk calcium and magnesium, quarantine procedures (LFS holds fish for 2 weeks, is that enough?), acclimation (fish and corals), or photography. This way its based on a topic and we get input from the members as to how they deal with these issues and may find a better practice.

Yes I agree that the economy does have a big effect on our hobby, I really haven't added anything big to my tank in a while due to this along with family responsibilities. It is an expensive hobby but the reefkeeper has the ability to keep within budget. I would rather trade then sell or buy livestock.

Another thing is there are more resources than before, I do look at a few others along with this site daily, and I see members that were always on and contributing here do more so out on others. Some of it has to do with selling and they have a larger audience on other boards.

Great ideas not reason to not throw them out there. II would also add if anyone is willing to help with these types of things to say so. The BOD is only a small group and they have a lot going on. You think I be a BOD member and get to do all these cool things. Then you end up in meetings, setting up hallss paying bill, dealing with all types of other not so fun things