Should I stay or should I go?

I'm very regretful to say that fishkeeping just doesn't hold the same charm it used to. I've been doing it for about 7 years now and it's getting... Rather monotonous, really. To be fair, I haven't done much exciting and I've kept similar fish. I'd like your input as to whether you guys think I should try something new (and what should that be?), Or simply sell my biggest tank and keep my little one. I'm sure I could get $200 for my planted 20gal, all it's supplies, and maybe the fish too. I'd probably keep my 5gal because I think it would be unfair to pass off my ADF as weve been through a lot together.
The current stocking for that tank is 3 kuhlI loaches, a betta, and a temporary bristlenose (he's just cleaning algae and he'll go back to his 90gal elsewhere). Is there anything you guys think I could add to maybe bring back the spark? Should I re-home the fish and put something else entirely in there? Or do you think I should retire for now?
Thanks for you help guys, it's always a pleasure to be on this forum. Even if I do stop, I'll probably still visit here sometimes

 

If you are looking to get zingged, powed or excited, I'd make your 20 into a reef or FOWLR tank. You get to learn a lot of new things, keep an entirely different type of fish and give the room a new feel.

 

maybe watch "the beautiful world of aquascaping" on youtube and see the beautiful other worlds they create... and maybe do a wicked new scape and watch your new little world grow? It will probably excite you seeing your fish feel excited for a new scene as well...

 

Add some challenge to what your doing. Maybe set up a planted discus tank.

 

Twenty years ago, I sold all my tanks, including a 35 gallon, couple of 10 gallons, 5 gallon, and I think a 2.5 gallon. After a few years, I really missed them a lot, but did not have the money to replace or even just get one big tank again. I happened into the tanks that I have now by a friend who was looking to get out of breeding Cichlids and gave me an unbelievable deal and I am way more excited about the hobby than I ever was before.

All that to say, don't get rid of the tanks. If you want to rehome the fish and tear down all but the 5, do it and give it some time, maybe even a few years. If my experience has taught me one thing, time may change your perspective. Just my two cents!

 

If you are looking to get zingged, powed or excited, I'd make your 20 into a reef or FOWLR tank. You get to learn a lot of new things, keep an entirely different type of fish and give the room a new feel.

Hmm I'm not sure about saltwater, I've never tried before and isn't it rather expensive? I'll look into it though... I'm sure it would be fun!

Add some challenge to what your doing. Maybe set up a planted discus tank.

I'm not sure discus would be very happy in a 20 and I'm not currently able to buy a new tank. Are there any other very personal fish that would do well in there?

Twenty years ago, I sold all my tanks, including a 35 gallon, couple of 10 gallons, 5 gallon, and I think a 2.5 gallon. After a few years, I really missed them a lot, but did not have the money to replace or even just get one big tank again. I happened into the tanks that I have now by a friend who was looking to get out of breeding Cichlids and gave me an unbelievable deal and I am way more excited about the hobby than I ever was before.

All that to say, don't get rid of the tanks. If you want to rehome the fish and tear down all but the 5, do it and give it some time, maybe even a few years. If my experience has taught me one thing, time may change your perspective. Just my two cents!

I have a 10gal stored away and lots of friends with extra supplies so I don't think I'll ever be out of the loop... But I like your advice. Maybe it's just the time I'm going through right now that's making me like this. Although, I've been a bit bored for awhile..

Thanks guys

 

Try joining local clubs, get involved and see what new species you can start keeping Put yourself up for the challenge! Try newer exotic species that aren't readily available.

 

You might be able to try a pair of Apistogramma if you move the betta.

I agree with trying either saltwater or rare species. Maybe try breeding?

What sort of fish have you kept in the past?

 

What have you been keeping so far? What about shell dwellers if it's something you haven't done yet.

Or if you're not into plants, get some! It changed my game completely.

 

I have my days when it's a bit much for the reward and I think 'man, why not just hang it up.' Just like anything else I'd say those days will pass. With smaller tanks maybe try something like shrimp and snails?

Twenty years ago, I sold all my tanks, including a 35 gallon, couple of 10 gallons, 5 gallon, and I think a 2.5 gallon. After a few years, I really missed them a lot, but did not have the money to replace or even just get one big tank again. I happened into the tanks that I have now by a friend who was looking to get out of breeding Cichlids and gave me an unbelievable deal and I am way more excited about the hobby than I ever was before.

All that to say, don't get rid of the tanks. If you want to rehome the fish and tear down all but the 5, do it and give it some time, maybe even a few years. If my experience has taught me one thing, time may change your perspective. Just my two cents!

I do agree with this as you lose as much on resale as you do driving a new car off the lot. If you don't get the spark back, you can always sell off the equipment after a year or two.

Best luck whichever way you go.

 

You might be able to try a pair of Apistogramma if you move the betta.

I agree with trying either saltwater or rare species. Maybe try breeding?

What sort of fish have you kept in the past?

I used to have a pair.. but they got a divorce lol. I still don't know why, but they decided they absolutely hated each other after about 3 months of happy spawning and I had to create a whole new setup to separate them. After that, they sort of faded away... Never figured out the issue. I suppose I could try again?

I have my days when it's a bit much for the reward and I think 'man, why not just hang it up.' Just like anything else I'd say those days will pass. With smaller tanks maybe try something like shrimp and snails?


I do agree with this as you lose as much on resale as you do driving a new car off the lot. If you don't get the spark back, you can always sell off the equipment after a year or two.

Best luck whichever way you go.

I've felt this way for about 2 years so maybe it is time. I've slowly downgraded and I'm left with my 20 and my 5. It doesn't help I have an irreversible hair algae issue in the 20 that refused to get better lol. I've had both shrimp and snails (the 20 is currently an MTS heaven!) And they're pretty fun, I'm sure I wouldn't mind experimenting with a bamboo shrimp or just some ghosts. Although, last time I got a "bamboo" shrimp it was just an amano... For $10 and from a good LFS, too! That wasn't nice... Plus, my shrimp love to jump out and I don't like having a lid. Not sure that's very safe lol.

What have you been keeping so far? What about shell dwellers if it's something you haven't done yet.

Or if you're not into plants, get some! It changed my game completely.

Both my tanks are 100% live planted Shell dwellers would actually be fun, I think, maybe I'll look into those. Thanks!

 

What do you guys think of a single pair of angelfish? I've heard they're rather personable and maybe fun

 

What do you guys think of a single pair of angelfish? I've heard they're rather personable and maybe fun

They are fun for sure! But not for a 20 gallon tank They would have to be a breeding pair and even then they don't usually stay in that size of tank very long, more to just breed in a honeymoon suite, then they go back with the school.

But maybe you would like to keep some rams? Or kribensis?

If you do kribs, it would have to be a pair and that's all because they are very territorial. But I had a krib tank and they raised so many babies in the same 33g tank. I did grow the babies out more in another tank, but was an awesome experience.

Rams are more personable I'd say, and they are a little more challenge for water parameters. Still not difficult, but more difficult than other fish, especially to breed.

 

They are fun for sure! But not for a 20 gallon tank They would have to be a breeding pair and even then they don't usually stay in that size of tank very long, more to just breed in a honeymoon suite, then they go back with the school.

Yes I figured lol, the care sheet here says 20 gallon but that seemed too small. Thanks tho

 

I know the feeling, I lost interest about 15 years ago, then picked it back up again.

 

I can relate. I got to that point as well.

What got me back into it was breeding angelfish and bn plecos. Though I understand you have limited space.

Maybe try breeding dwarf crayfish. They are really cool and don't require much space. Or shrimp.

If you have luck with rare shrimp or dwarf crayfish, you could make a little side money too!

 

And I'll say I can also relate, I got pretty down with things when I stopped breeding fish and selling plants because of an internal parasite. I also lost a bunch of fish, but somehow 3 years later i'm still here and I have tankfulls of fish to care for.

Shrimp or dwarf crays is an awesome suggestion! I had fun with my shrimp and I had them in 5 gallon or 10 gallon tanks! You could also think about selling nano plants if you haven't already.

 

You could do the angels while very young but would have to have a swapout strategy because they will quickly outgrow. Mine were already sizable when I got my pair so no idea how fast they go from dime size to palm size so someone else could inform. Really need a 55 gal or larger to keep mature angels.

 

I stopped keeping fish about 42 years ago when I went to college. Never lost interest. I would stop into fish stores from time to time just to look around. Started again in October of last year.

I am still entertained at the moment, but I could see a time when I would lose the spark. I have been interested in sponsoring a school project. If I lose the spark or maybe even if I do not, I might loan or give my tanks to a school.

 

I first got into fish around age 12 and I had several tanks setup a few years later and as I got into my later teens it got hard with school, a part time job and just the life of a teenager LOL.

I ended up tearing everything down down and now in my late 20s I started up again. I mainly did it because I have a young child and I wanted to set up a tank in her room. Something fun and colorful to look at- the neon gravel a and plants that make some people cringe.

Well after doing that it really got the itch going again and here we have a 60 gallon cycling in the living room!

I agree with everyone else on either finding a new challenge whether it’s going to the salty side or trying different species. Maybe even down size a little bit so the maintenance doesn’t become so taxing. Then you can really focus your attention on one or two tanks.

I know someday I would like to do a small 20L saltwater setup. But the fear of some of the added costs really scares me too!

 

There are other areas in the aquarium hobby to explore, and if you feel that you need to take a break to reevaluate where your interest aligns to reignite the spark that started it all, then there is nothing wrong with doing so. While I am finding great success with my 90G, my 16G Betta is struggling badly and chips away at my motivation. You can always venture/expand into other aspects of this hobby such as the following:

1. Aquascape (Big one for me, the endless amount of design is just...addicting)
2. Pond Setup
3. Paludarium
4. Saltwater/Reefing
5. Indoor Gardening (Oh BonsaI Tree)
6. Aquaponic Setup
7. On vacation, visit aquarium stores along the way or at the destination
8. Visit the Georgia Aquarium (The largest aquarium in the US)
9. Buy a plane ticket to Niigata, Japan and visit Nature Aquarium Gallery (The king of Aquascaping)
10. Go to a local aquarium trade show event and talk/share your interest with other hobbyists
11. Look for rare/hard to find fishes and obtain it

There are many things you can do, but I most definitely do 1, 5 and 11. I have done 8 and want to look forward to completing all on the list. Maybe one of those I shared will spark your interest! I hope this helps!

 

There are other areas in the aquarium hobby to explore, and if you feel that you need to take a break to reevaluate where your interest aligns to reignite the spark that started it all, then there is nothing wrong with doing so. While I am finding great success with my 90 gallon, my 16G Betta is struggling badly and chips away at my motivation. You can always venture/expand into other aspects of this hobby such as the following:

1. Aquascape (Big one for me, the endless amount of design is just...addicting)
2. Pond Setup
3. Paludarium
4. Saltwater/Reefing
5. Indoor Gardening (Oh BonsaI Tree)
6. Aquaponic Setup
7. On vacation, visit aquarium stores along the way or at the destination
8. Visit the Georgia Aquarium (The largest aquarium in the US)
9. Buy a plane ticket to Niigata, Japan and visit Nature Aquarium Gallery (The king of Aquascaping)
10. Go to a local aquarium trade show event and talk/share your interest with other hobbyists
11. Look for rare/hard to find fishes and obtain it

There are many things you can do, but I most definitely do 1, 5 and 11. I have done 8 and want to look forward to completing all on the list. Maybe one of those I shared will spark your interest! I hope this helps!

Wow that's a lot of great options! I don't think I'll ever completely stop keeping, I'm sure I'll always have a little tank somewhere, but I've been thinking about it all day and it may just be best to hang it up for now. I've also started keeping small, furry pets (hamsters, specifically) and I'm really loving it. I was thinking of selling my 20 and the stand and using that space to DIY a big hamster cage. It would be very fun!


Thank you everyone for your awesome suggestions. I don't think I'll leave this forum completely because there's just too much positivity and it really makes my day sometimes, but for the next while my only tank will be my 5 gallon for my adf. I'm in a transitioning point in my life anyways, so perhaps renewing everything will be good for me. I really appreciate all of you Thank you!!

 

try discus or angelfish or try breeding peppermint bristle nose catfish they are hard to raise the fry but worth it cash wise if u beed and raise them up to selling size