Taking a break....

[Darryl_V]

Hey fellow fragtankers.  The rumors are true and yes I plan on shutting my system down in the near future.  Realistically it probably wont be till christmas yet as I slowly sell off my livestock to Tony and Long from MJC.  They have also built a bigger frag system and are waiting for it to mature.  I made the decision to break down my system and take some time off before I started dealing with MJC and that was actually a main driver as I realized selling my huge amount of coral (not to mention the equipment) while still getting a decent buck for it was going to be a challenge.

Anyway there seemed to be some interest about the when and why and since I've just explained the when I'll continue on with the why.  The thought first entered my mind after getting the RC TOTM.  My tank was fully mature really and to the point that a lot more growth could actually be detrimental to the colonies.  Ie. shading, flow and space issues.  Free time is also at pretty low levels with little kids, work and other duties.  I could manage but my heart just isnt into it as much anymore. 

I love my tank and the hobby but another thought is where do I go from here.  I like to be modest but I really took my tank and the hobby as far as I could hope.  I kinda accomplished everything I wanted and a bit of the new and challenging feeling was gone.  The logical choice here was either to set up a new system or take a break.  I know what a lot of you guys are thinking but I think I made the right choice.  Breaking everything down is going to be a lot of work and I feel like a break is going to be great for me.  I have a feeling in a year or two I will be refreshed and wanting to get back into the hobby in some way.

 

[Big_Als_London]

Sad to hear but I think you are going about it the right way.  I always believe going out while you are on top of your game is the best thing.  Who knows another 6 months and you start slacking on the tank and you lose everything.

I know its not much but you have truely inspired me to try and make my store better.  8 or 9 years ago you wrote something on AP and it broke my heart and since then I have tried to make our little store better with the cards we have been dealt.

I look forward to your return in a couple of years. Your tank was truely an inspiration and something every SPS hobbiest strived for.

Aaron

 

[Darryl_V]

Sad to hear but I think you are going about it the right way.  I always believe going out while you are on top of your game is the best thing.  Who knows another 6 months and you start slacking on the tank and you lose everything.

I know its not much but you have truely inspired me to try and make my store better.  8 or 9 years ago you wrote something on AP and it broke my heart and since then I have tried to make our little store better with the cards we have been dealt.

I look forward to your return in a couple of years. Your tank was truely an inspiration and something every SPS hobbiest strived for.

Aaron

Hey Aaron.  Your a good dude, your brother too.  You have definitely made improvements but I hope you didn't take my comments from back in the day too seriously.  I can't remember the comments but Im sure I wrote them from my prospective which is an advanced hobbyist (or striving advanced at the time).  You guys are tied to your franchise and market place.  You would be stupid to try to cater to guys like me.  Better to cater to the beginner, intermediate and maybe a little bit of the advanced.  As long as you guys are offering good product and advice to the beginning and intermediate guys you will have a successful business.

 

[Big_Als_London]

[quote author=Big_Als_London link=topic=6758.msg67056#msg67056 date=1383751242]
Sad to hear but I think you are going about it the right way.  I always believe going out while you are on top of your game is the best thing.  Who knows another 6 months and you start slacking on the tank and you lose everything.

I know its not much but you have truely inspired me to try and make my store better.  8 or 9 years ago you wrote something on AP and it broke my heart and since then I have tried to make our little store better with the cards we have been dealt.

I look forward to your return in a couple of years. Your tank was truely an inspiration and something every SPS hobbiest strived for.

Aaron

Hey Aaron.  Your a good dude, your brother too.  You have definitely made improvements but I hope you didn't take my comments from back in the day too seriously.  I can't remember the comments but Im sure I wrote them from my prospective which is an advanced hobbyist (or striving advanced at the time).  You guys are tied to your franchise and market place.  You would be stupid to try to cater to guys like me.  Better to cater to the beginner, intermediate and maybe a little bit of the advanced.  As long as you guys are offering good product and advice to the beginning and intermediate guys you will have a successful business.
[/quote]I took the comments serious back then but I also didn't know you that much as well. We do usually cater to the beginner but sometimes I need to try and have it both ways as my competition does and I always want to try and better the competition.

Thank you for the kind words though.

 

[Poseidon]

Sad to see you go but I'm sure we'll see you back in a couple years
Best of luck and your tank has truly been a standard for us all.

 

[Salty Cracker]

I wouldn't have 1/10th the quality of coral if you hadn't been in the hobby, and generous enough to share (well MOST of them anyway ).  For that I'm grateful.  It's sad to think that "THE TANK" will be gone. 


What will you do with the extra $$$ you'll save on hydro?? 



P.S.  You suck 

 

[jroovers]

Sounds like reasonable logic to me.  To echo salty, when looking at my tank and the origins of my coral, about 75% came from or through you.  Heck, I wouldn't have even started a saltwater tank if it weren't for you and your help.  I'm sure we'll still see you around the forums and before long you'll be back at it.  Will be strange driving up to your place and not seeing all that lighting shining out your windows and spilling onto the street. 

 

[spyd]

Well, it will definitely be a sad day when the lights go out. Your tank has all ways been truly inspiring to me and I want to thank you for all the help you have given me along the way. I would say my stock list is about 90% corals from your tank and the survival rate of those frags is just unbelievable!! Congrats for all your success in the hobby and reaching your goals. No need to be modest, your tank has been the nicest one around that I know of and your coral selection is unreal. You definitely have left your mark in bringing aquacultured corals in Ontario. I'm sure most SPS collectors in Ontario and beyond, directly or indirectly, have a few corals that came from you. Your thinking is very logical and a break would probably be the best thing for a little while. Eventually, the kids will get older, keep themselves entertained more and you may end up having time for another challenging display.

Anyways, it has been great getting to know you and growing a friendship over the years. Once your tank is shut down, you are all ways welcome to come by any time and check out my display or clean my skimmer to keep up your practice...  ;D

 

[harleymike]

Sorry to see another one go. I never met you, never saw your tank in person. But heard loads about you. Your name came up in alot of conversations.
I understand your reasoning. I am a volunteer fireman of 16 years. There was a point it seemed to have lost it's luster. I took a year off too think it over, and realized how much I did enjoy it and missed it. Was back after that year.
So taking a break is, very often, a great idea. I'm sure with what i have heard about you, that you will be back.
Best of luck
Mike

 

[Jewel]

Darryl, I think you are right in saying where can my tank go from here? Not far because it's the best. I under stand losing the passion and in time you'll be back in what ever capacity that you want. Maybe bigger or smaller. I really don't think that the size of the tank matters as long as it's the best you can do. And you did it.I've met a few people out this way and every time they'd say Hey have you seen Darryls tank, I'd say ya I've known Darryl for awhile He and I lived in Burlington I used to buy T-5 bulbs from him and feel good that I knew you, So take care Darryl enjoy your time away and check us out in awhile, I'll be checking out your ads see if I can scoop a few things  Jim

 

[rowdy29can]

Well Darryl you definitely won't be forgotten, I can't say anymore than what has been said above, other than your a great guy and your reputation is 1st class. As a father of 3 The only advise I can give is enjoy the time with your kids they don't stay young forever Cheers!

 

[theyangman]

Twas a great chance to see a real inspirational tank in real life. Family is family and you only get once chance with them. Cherish it Darryl!

 

[Sidewaze]

I know how you feel I've been away from racing RC cars for about 1-1/2 years and now ready to go back. When some of the passion is gone you need to re-kindle it .

 

[Salty Cracker]

I can highly recommend target shooting with large caliber semi automatic pistols as an alternative hobby. 

 

[AdInfinitum]

Darryl,  Thanks for all the great frags and even better conversation.  With all of the accolades you get for your accomplishments in this hobby, it was a pleasure to find you as someone who was still aware of how much more there was to learn rather than just having an ego satisfied by being the best around.

My son was 2 when I put my 200gal into storage with all of my other breeding and species tanks long gone.  People who knew me couldn't believe it and I was "meh whatever".  Ten years later when the kids wanted to know about what was living in the one algae covered tank that I had kept, I was ready to get back at it albeit at a much less intense level.

A pleasure to have met you and seen your magnificent tank.  I hope to see you again...

Rob

BTW: When I saw Jordan's post in the frag setup ad my first guess was that the Aussie government had hired you to regrow the Great Barrier Reef for them.  8)

 

[Reef Hero]

Darryl,
Best of luck in the future! You and your tank made a big impact on me in this hobby and I know I am not alone there. Nice to see you leave the hobby in the way that you are. I remember first time I was over buying corals, and your daughter threw a play toy into your display tank....lol....I guess she was trying to tell you something haha

Thanks for everything you did for this hobby!!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[unibob]

All the best Darryl. Still hope you will pop onto here to share insight/experience.

Enjoy the family time and any other hobbies you take up. Truly an inspiration.

 

[draper]

ive always been a 3 to 4 yr stint guy ever since I was 7 and im 45 now. I know how you feel. you'll be back, im sure. could be 10 yrs but youll be back.

 

[AdamS]

This thread reads like an obituary...I always figured people don't say anything nice about you till you die...Surely it will be that way for me!

Good luck in the future.

 

[Poseidon]

This thread reads like an obituary...I always figured people don't say anything nice about you till you die...Surely it will be that way for me!

Good luck in the future.

Haha , yea rip Darryl's tank... Will be missed