Is this hobby a short term thing?

A few months ago Mark was here and I was showing him a ceramic nativity set I have made during one of my short term hobbies.  He asked me if this was a short term hobby.

It seems that there are a lot of people coming and going.  What's the average stay in the hobby?  Why do they get out?

I love my tanks but they are a PITA.  Water changes, moving things around, can't leave without a babysitter, chemical tests, big time coral SPS dying, floods, electric bills - you name it.  When I try to think which tank to get rid of, I like each one for a different reason so can't choose.

What's your opinion

I'm in my third decade....I think of it more as a passion than a hobby.

Are you thinking of selling me your stuff?

It seems that there are a lot of people coming and going.  What's the average stay in the hobby?  Why do they get out?

It is either 9 months or two years.  I can't remember now.  One is average length a hobbyist has tanks, the other is average length a pet store stays in business. 
For our club, we have a 50% turnover every year.

Adam

smatney wrote: I just need more than 24 hours in my days.

I can sure relate to that.

smatney wrote: I'm about to hit two years.  That must be it.  I"m not ready to throw in the towel - I just need more than 24 hours in my days.

I've been in the hobby since I was 12 (even younger if you count freshwater).  I really have ups and downs.  I think the key is to maintaining a balance between your life and your aquariums.  Two weeks out of every year I am down at Lake Powell (one week in the beginning for the summer and one at the end).  I don't have a "baby sitter", I don't worry about my tank.  I think you need to get you aquarium to the point where you could leave it (at least for a couple of days) without worrying about it.  Maybe that means less fish, different overflow systems, more or less automation, different filtration, etc.  The key is to enjoy your aquarium and not feel like a slave to it.

By the way the quick turnover thing is very frustrating to people like me.  I (like most who've been here a while) just get tired of the same old questions.  Hey Mark tell me about sand, Hey Jon how do I fix my alkalinty, I have a 55 gal what kind of lights should I buy....
It is also frustrating to try and help people, when you can see from miles away that some people won't be here next year.  Take a look at our forum memberlist at the top of this page.  Sort by number of posts and you'll realize that a ton of people you used to know are no longer here.

To answer your question, as depressing as this will sound... It is a short term hobby.

Adam