Baby or Bearded Reefer: How long have been reefing? What's been your biggest milestone?

[AlyciaMarie]

One thing that I love about Reef2Reef is how we have a group of people with different experiences gathering together to learn and grow. Whether you're a metaphorical "baby" reefer still figuring out the basics or a "bearded" reefer with lots of experience and lessons learned, you're important to our community!

How long have you been reefing? And in your time in reefing, what has been your biggest milestone?

P.S. Bearded reefer = experienced reefer.

Photo Credit: Realreef7
Grandpaization: GumbiesRUs

 

[AlyciaMarie]

I've been in reefing for 3 years collectively but took a break in college. My current tank has been up for almost 2 years. And my biggest milestone has been successfully keeping my first anemone.

 

[H-TownMike]

I have been " Reefing" for about 2 months and so far my biggest accomplishment is getting the space done and in the tank and trying to cycle the tank. ohh and my other accomplishment is growing my patience enough to wait on the cycle its hard for me lol....

 

[AlyciaMarie]

I have been " Reefing" for about 2 months and so far my biggest accomplishment is getting the space done and in the tank and trying to cycle the tank. ohh and my other accomplishment is growing my patience enough to wait on the cycle its hard for me lol....

Patience is arguably the most important ingredient in successful reef-keeping.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Two years! I learned a lot during that time, but there is always room to learn more!

 

[AnomMatty]

Started cycling the tank 5/25, so not even two months (seems longer than that).

Biggest milestone so far is I haven't lost anything yet. Was pretty sure I would when I got a Father's Day gift of a Blasto that included a Stylo mystery frag, but they are the two frags probably doing the best currently.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I have been " Reefing" for about 2 months and so far my biggest accomplishment is getting the space done and in the tank and trying to cycle the tank. ohh and my other accomplishment is growing my patience enough to wait on the cycle its hard for me lol....

Patience is key!

 

[Stevorino]

10 years!

Biggest accomplishment is definitely still having my very first (clown) fish I ever bought

Second biggest accomplishment is having my first (yellow) tang, that I bought a couple months after my tank was first setup.

 

[Reefer Matt]

7 years.

 

[DanyL]

17 years.

Biggest accomplishment is definitely still having my very first (clown) fish I ever bought

Haha same here, along with many corals that to this day exist, thrive and been propagated to probably the whole country across the years.

 

[kvansloo]

15 years, having the first yellow tang I started with she has been through a lot over the years.

 

[rgulrich]

I'm in the "no comment" group I guess.
That said, I've built lots of equipment (lighting systems, filtration systems, multiple aquarium systems, etc.) and figured out that if there is a way for something to go awry, it most likely will (apologies to Murphy's Law).
Double-check fittings, glued joints, electrical connections, splash zones, drip loops, have a backup for whatever you can have a backup for (overflows, critical water movement/pumps, etc). Stuff like that. I do what I can to try and foresee things that may occur and plan them into the build.
I think my greatest accomplishment aside from dodging -most- major catastrophes (albeit narrowly in many instances), is I've managed to learn from my mistakes and those of others and stick with the hobby because I truly enjoy it so much.
Cheers,
Ray

 

[Gumbies R Us]

15 years, having the first yellow tang I started with she has been through a lot over the years.

That is cool you still have it!

 

[kvansloo]

Yes,

 

[paragrouper]

I started in the late 80’s and lasted until ‘95, when mother army chose to send me to Germany for more fun and adventure. I returned to the hobby about 18 months ago.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Year 43

 

[Dbichler]

Since 2006 biggest milestone would be learning soft corals are the easiest most rewarding because of how forgiving they are.

 

[Fungusamongus]

10 months in. Impatient with being patient, but trying to learn as I mature. This place, R2R, has helped me learn a lot. Thanks to all contributing members. People that provide their knowledge, experience, mishaps, and lessons learned are what makes this a great community to be a part of.

 

[PeterErc]

Still married

 

[Mr Fishface]

I've been in the hobby over a period of nearly 9 years now. Hard to believe it's been so long! I've had my most recent tank, a 40g cube, for a little over a year and a half. My biggest milestone - sticking with the hobby after all these years. After the ups and downs that get to us all. I'm thankful to be a part of such a wonderful and helpful community that we have here. I feel like even after 9 years I am still learning!