Was it worth it in the end

[my2rotties]

Due to deep financial difficulties in this economy, I am thinking of shutting my tank down. It is heart breaking to even consider this, but of all things that are non essential, my tank tops the list.

For those of you that shut your tanks down due to financial issues or whatever, was it worth it all in the end? The money was already spent on my tank, and it runs itself now after 13 months. I have no corals anymore (summer neglect and flat worms), and I only have my prized fish left. All I pay for now is salt and food, and it is not that much anymore. Everything is healthy and I adore my fish.

Because I have no more corals, I know I don't need to be running my halides so much anymore, so the T5s will do. I am trying to justify keeping my tank since it was a lot of hard work and I am very attached to my livestock. Did you save a lot of money when you shut the tank down? Did you regret shutting it down?

I don't want to regret this after all my husband and I have been through with setting the system up. What do you think, after all the building expenses are over with, is it that much more to keep the tank running at this point? Will I save THAT much money or will I kick myself in the a$$ and wish I never did it and have to start all over again some day?

[Skimmerking]

Hey Diana if its going then leave it, its not hurting anything moeny always comes around when you are not expecting it. Its its jsut running on bare min funds then ya but to rip it down to just get stuff sorted out na its not worth it in the end. Time will be good to you trust your heart ok. Serious it will worth its self out in the end. you have to really want this to stay thou.

I vote with the feeling in my gut KEEP IT

go with NORMAL FLOURESANTS THEN its a FOWLR sell the MH

[Skimmerking]

Oh ya sell all your fancy equipment too to get money back. go back to the old caveman days in reefing

[my2rotties]

Thanks Mike I appreciate your reply. This has been a gut wrenching week, and it is only Monday for me... I don't want to sell my tank and selling it would never recover what I paid. I just wondered if it would pan out in monthly savings in the long run.

I have wonderful fish and would ahte to sell them and then have them die afterwards. I have a gift for keeping fish, and would hate to give them a death sentance.

Originally Posted by asmodeus

Hey Diana if its going then leave it, its not hurting anything moeny always comes around when you are not expecting it. Its its jsut running on bare min funds then ya but to rip it down to just get stuff sorted out na its not worth it in the end. Time will be good to you trust your heart ok. Serious it will worth its self out in the end. you have to really want this to stay thou.

I vote with the feeling in my gut KEEP IT

go with NORMAL FLOURESANTS THEN its a FOWLR sell the MH

[ALBERTA REEF]

I would say Keep it running. For what life has delt me with the way economy whent. My tanks keep me buzy keeping my mind off things. Put this way the money spend on it is better then spending it drinking!

[my2rotties]

Too late, I already hit the wine this evening... coping mechanism. I do love my fish and am glad they are so healthy and tame. They eat from my hands and swim behind me when I am at me desk... begging for food. They are my couple of dozen extra pets.

Originally Posted by ALBERTA REEF

I would say Keep it running. For what life has delt me with the way economy whent. My tanks keep me buzy keeping my mind off things. Put this way the money spend on it is better then spending it drinking!

[lastlight]

I was going to keep mine running as well until things got REALLY serious and it was my entire lifestyle and house I was downsizing.

If that's not your case keep it going. The startup costs are killer and the cost to let it run with vitals is minimal. Over the course of my last 3 tanks I've invested about $20,000 and made back MAYBE $6,000. Unless a person is forced into that...it hurts too much to do. It'd be bad enough if I'd been able to run and enjoy all 3 tanks!

[my2rotties]

Thanks Brett for the advise. Frank is still looking into your tile...it just has been sort of insane since we last spoke in PMs. I will remind him again for tomorrow to look into it again. Nobody was around over the holidays and now since the holidays are over, all hell has broken loose for anything and everything.

I am glad I posted this thread. I was afraid to since I did not want to be judged over having serious financial issues... I guess it happens to the best of us no matter how hard we have worked to try to stay ahead or break even.

Originally Posted by lastlight

I was going to keep mine running as well until things got REALLY serious and it was my entire lifestyle and house I was downsizing.

If that's not your case keep it going. The startup costs are killer and the cost to let it run with vitals is minimal. Over the course of my last 3 tanks I've invested about $20,000 and made back MAYBE $6,000. Unless a person is forced into that...it hurts too much to do. It'd be bad enough if I'd been able to run and enjoy all 3 tanks!

[banditpowdercoat]

Ya I'd keep it. I'm downsizing my other tanks, but keeping the 150g running bare min like you. It doesnt cost much at all to keep it running, like you said. Little food and salt. It's my Upgrading tendency's that cost the most LOL

If you get rid of it all, it will just cost that much more to get it all again when you come back. Keep the halides off, but don;t sell them. They will not wear out if they are off. Will save on power, and they will be ready when you get back into it. Like oyu said, it's bought and paid for now. Unless your downsizing homes, with no room, or are really financially in trouble that you need the few hundred dollars for food or whatnot, then it makes no sense to me to sell.

[mark]

haven't shutdown a tank, but the on-going costs compared to the initial setup cost, that I wouldn't realistically be able to recover, would seem like I would just be throwing money away if to close up. Then imagine if decided to start up again later..., I couldn't see starting again after the first lesson.

Would think though if the make/break point is the cost of running a tank, I'd be wondering how I extended myself so much and be looking over a lot of lifestyle choices. Either way, the economy will turn around.