My turn to chime in Pat,

I have 450 gals in 3 tanks ( soon to be 600 gals in 3 tanks ), 13 huskies ATM, 5 acres to maintain, some renos happening, 2 grand kids on the way & trying to rebuild my company from the ground up since my partner screwed me over. As well as helping others build there own systems.

I think a few of the best things I have done in regards to my tanks is to simplify things. I refil my ATO once a week, drain my skimmer every other week ( so to be a long period with the addition of a skim locker ) controllers on all 3 tanks and getting a doser set up.

In total I think I spend maybe 2hrs a week doing something to all the tanks combined. They are not as spotless and spectacular as as so many others but it works for me. So maybe you just need to simplify down to a single decent size tank with your favorite suff in it. Don't let the new baby stress you out and enjoy life, family & your hobbies.

+1 on The Grizz's comments. I too have multiple tanks, dog, two rental houses, travel for work, have a two year old and one due in July. My tanks provide me a great deal of therapy, and are cheaper than the going rate for a shrink:). They were/are also very calming for my son when he was born and I expect will be so for baby #2 shortly. I have had times where it is too much, and the tanks have suffered, but I always manage to find some time eventually and bring them back up. I had much the same decision to make recently and opted to go ATO and dosing pumps on my three tanks to free a bit of time up for me. Hopefully you will find a way to keep the tanks, but either way, you will have a great family and can always come back to the tanks later. Best of luck with your decision,
Dan

You can do it, it really doesn't take all that much time to keep your tank running. I always say, reefing can take as much time as you want to put into it. I used to spend a considerable amount of time puttering with the tank but with the addition of a new baby (now 14 months) tank time has taken a dive in the ratings but I manage to get everyone fed and water changes done on the weekends. A lot of tank maintenance can get done after 7pm when the kid goes to bed, although I hate doing it that late as stupidity usually ensues (late night water alarms, skimmers overflowing or the worst: I adjust the rockwork:razz:).

Either way, it's up to you. I took a 5 year break and it was great. I waited until my kids were 3 and 4 before starting up again. I just made sure I set up my new tank to be as maintenance free and easy as possible. Now I really don't do much to the aquarium except for glass every 3 days and a water change once a week (7 mins). Ultimately, the decision is yours as you know your situation best.

My sentiments exactly. I'm a lazy reefer so I don't want to spend too much time on my tank. However, at the same time I don't want my tank to look like @$$. So..

.. after a 2 year break from the hobby this is what I did as well. In my first stab at the hobby years back my tank was all sorts of pain and suffering with all sorts of maintenance. After some time off I got back in to it but this time I decided that although it will be expensive, more expensive than any previous tanks that i've had, it will be well worth the monetary investment to throw equipment at the tank to help reduce maintenance time on the tank. Think opportunity costs! Controllers, dosers, monitors, etc, all well worth it to me.

Some people manually top off their water and manually dose a few chems here and there and say they have a simple and low maintenance system. Some people would consider that very complex and high maintenance system. In the end it is all relative.

I just don't ever invite anyone over and post only macro shots of the tank and FTS from really far away :razz:

This is a good reefing strategy that I subscribe to as well. There are usually at least two or three polyps on every SPS colony that look fabulous! The rest of the colony is another story :lol:

when I invite people over they can only view the tank from the front yard.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/...i/IMG_0118.jpg

I just pray to Baby Jesus that the visitor doesn't have a telephoto lens.

well that looks familiar!

pat don't do it!!! i know how crazy life can be. i have 3 dogs (1 puppy.. counts as a baby) a bestfriend roommate, a wife, 5 cats, 4 geckos, 3 saltwater tanks and a house that I take care of as well... and I have to finish my basement.... I took a break a while back and hated walking into my house and not seeing the beauty that is salt water... worst comes to worst, have someone hang onto your tank/tanks for you that has room... that way you don't have to sell it... PLUS... keeping it might be calming for the baby!! lol

I think the issue is what is in the best interest of the fish and coral you keep.
If you cannot spend the time to provide them with optimum care than it is time to take a break and get back into it when you can.

There is a positive side to this decision.

1. You get to set up a bigger tank.
2. You get to buy the latest greatest technology.
3. I may have retired by then.

If you retire ... Who do I get to banter with? Lol.

this

Show off :lol: