aquarook
New Member
Hello everyone,
I guess this thread is as good as any to start in with my very first post.
I'm in the beginning stages of research which is to mean that I have a huge headache. There is a lot of elements to Aquarium Hobbying that I had never considered. I'm still absorbing the initial shell shock of the potential costs of this hobby.
I have though made one solid decision and that is to go with a Saltwater tank and set-up. Which brings me to this site.
I guess if I had to ask my first question it would be how to get into this without losing my wallet? I've visited various pet stores and mom and pops and to do it right it appears I need to spend about $1,100 to $1,500, and that's just for the tank, furniture, filter system, rock, sand, etc, etc, basically everything but the fish and living coral. Does this amount sound right to you seasoned pros? I have a feeling it does, but you know how these stores try to upsell everything.
I was really really really hoping to get a 50-75 gallon tank with all the correct stuff for around $500. Maybe that was my inexperience of what this hobby actually costs, maybe there still is a way...
Which brings me to my second question/statement: "Is there a cheaper way?" I've been told to search ---- and local sales. That a lot of people buy these set-ups and within time get bored or realize the amount of work and quit, thus selling their equipment for half of what it costs. My situation of a set-up budget of around $500 puts me in this hunt.
Then there's always the piece meal strategy... My dad has like a 50 gallon tank just sitting in his garage that he bought at a garage sale for a turtle he had once. Could I start with that and build around it? I in now way am made of money nor do I have a desire to showcase a professional looking set-up.
With that said some of you are probably asking what my goals are in this hobby... I've always loved a good fish tank and thought it would be a fun hobby to share with my young children. My only child right now is getting to the age where he's showing a willing to participate in such an adventure.
So that's about enough for now. I look forward to gaining much knowledge from this forum and look forward to growing this hobby into a personal experience.
I guess this thread is as good as any to start in with my very first post.
I'm in the beginning stages of research which is to mean that I have a huge headache. There is a lot of elements to Aquarium Hobbying that I had never considered. I'm still absorbing the initial shell shock of the potential costs of this hobby.
I have though made one solid decision and that is to go with a Saltwater tank and set-up. Which brings me to this site.
I guess if I had to ask my first question it would be how to get into this without losing my wallet? I've visited various pet stores and mom and pops and to do it right it appears I need to spend about $1,100 to $1,500, and that's just for the tank, furniture, filter system, rock, sand, etc, etc, basically everything but the fish and living coral. Does this amount sound right to you seasoned pros? I have a feeling it does, but you know how these stores try to upsell everything.
I was really really really hoping to get a 50-75 gallon tank with all the correct stuff for around $500. Maybe that was my inexperience of what this hobby actually costs, maybe there still is a way...
Which brings me to my second question/statement: "Is there a cheaper way?" I've been told to search ---- and local sales. That a lot of people buy these set-ups and within time get bored or realize the amount of work and quit, thus selling their equipment for half of what it costs. My situation of a set-up budget of around $500 puts me in this hunt.
Then there's always the piece meal strategy... My dad has like a 50 gallon tank just sitting in his garage that he bought at a garage sale for a turtle he had once. Could I start with that and build around it? I in now way am made of money nor do I have a desire to showcase a professional looking set-up.
With that said some of you are probably asking what my goals are in this hobby... I've always loved a good fish tank and thought it would be a fun hobby to share with my young children. My only child right now is getting to the age where he's showing a willing to participate in such an adventure.
So that's about enough for now. I look forward to gaining much knowledge from this forum and look forward to growing this hobby into a personal experience.