Poll:What % of your income is used towards your Marine Hobby?

[schlecht13]

I have just been curious lately after reading in detail (again) Hoff's book and wonder what % of our incomes do we devote to our clowns (and other marine projects?). I don't mean this to be a personal display if incomes but importance of the hobby can often be gauged by expense (as we all know!).

[cschweitzer]

Man, I spend easily 50% of my income. It pretty much bills and coral(and fish, of course). Once in a while I buy beer and once a week I go throw darts(.50 a game and 7.00 per pitcher, night usually costs me $20). Besides that, it is all fish, not to mention I am in debt because of this hobby. I'm addicted...REALLY BAD!!!!!!!

[maroonytunes]

My income comes from my parents and birthdays so I figure about 100% goes towards marine fish.

[REEFBRONCOS]

But i did buy a 6 stage RODI today and a TDS Meter. As i said as little as possible

[cschweitzer]

By the way, I do not condone my lifestyle. For those of you thinking of following in my footsteps...don't. My philosophy goes, what good is electricity if I can't run my reefs with it?

[Adrian]

30% - 40% way too much.

[Chris]

i want a 90% option, and serious income not just what i get other ways!!! plus anything the fish produce!!!

[Dan]

Man, you people are psycho. Now listen carefully and repeat after me......"it's only a hobby.....it's only a hobby......it's only a hobby......"

There should be a less than 1% category.

Dan

[thecoralreef]

I have to admit that the first 4-5 years was building the reef and adding this piece of equipment, upgrading lights, new skimmer, bigger tank, more rock, more coral, more fish, and on and on and on.......... Now that I've been in the hobby long enough my fish and corals pay for most if not all of my obsession now. I would have to say at this point less than 5% goes toward my hobby. Prior to this point though it was much much higher, maybe 30-40%

[schlecht13]

Wow--definitely interested and enlightened by the results. I know many of us do not or can not solely rely on our clowns to sustain our lifestyles (let alone their own existence) and it is by far one of the more curious responses I have seen thus far on a poll. Thanks to everyone so far (by the way--I, like 'thecoralreef', started out higher and have worked myself down (10-20% range) but occasionaly add that lighting or filtration system I have always wanted to try.....Its a good thing my wife and I don't have children yet because I'd really hate to choose between salt and diapers....