lost faith in a sw tank

[bill109]

i am starting to loose faith in getting a sw tank

i have enough money to buy one but it all seems very complicated. what do you guys think, once you get the hang is it still hard to keep up with??
i believe you all that it is really great but i dont really get any of it like starting out or the cycling. so tht is why i am thinking of buying a bigger tank for my freshwater fish

i guess the fish arent quite the same but could i use the same tank in a year or so after my freshwater fish for sw i am planning on buying something around a 5o gallon. what do you guys think acryllic or glass. with all the cabinets/stands or by itself.?? ( think of what would be better for sw fish later on like next summer what would be a good tank size?

 

[lobstergrabber]

Really a piece of cake to take care of once you get the routine. Reef tanks are a little bit more work monitoring calcium levels and such but still not that much effort really. Just keep up with water changes and good things will happen.
Rich

 

[zanoshanox]

It really isn't that difficult once you catch the flow, have all your equipment running good, and all your parameters steady.

 

[socalracer]

i just started my tank 4 months ago and at first all the terms seemed very foreign, but i just bought the basic equipment and started, it makes a lot more sense now and i don't think the maintenance involved in my size tank is bad at all(100g). just start out simple and build up later. also this site and the conscientes marine aquarist were a big help. and if u haven't found out already double check everything a lfs tells u b4 u buy.

 

[steve24]

Originally Posted by bill109
i am starting to loose faith in getting a sw tank

i have enough money to buy one but it all seems very complicated. what do you guys think, once you get the hang is it still hard to keep up with??

its worth it !!!
i spend more time looking and enjoying it then i do working on it ...

steve

 

[stokedhawk]

You could also buy an established system if starting from scratch seems too daunting and it would be cheaper. That's what we did, but we did hire a professional to help move it and the inhabitants and that also enabled us to ask lots of questions. Then you can upgrade as you go along or if it's not for you, sell the system and you probably won't lose much money. It is addicting though

 

[dmjordan]

always go with the biggest system you can afford. this allows room for error until you get the hang of it. to some it is just a hobby but to others it becomes a lifestyle.

 

[theappe]

Originally Posted by dmjordan
always go with the biggest system you can afford. this allows room for error until you get the hang of it. to some it is just a hobby but to others it becomes a lifestyle.

I think everyone starts out as a hobby and then makes it a lifestyle

 

[clown boy]

Saltwater Animals are gorgeous! Really worth it!

 

[poniegirl]

SW is a commitment. Whether it is hard to keep up with depends on your lifestyle. If you can be consistent without a lot of effort, it's not a problem. As your tank matures, it will become more routine, but also easy to disrupt. If you have a lot of money invested, to have 'the hang of it' cost much can be heartbreaking.
If you have cold feet, spend a few moments on the Photography Forum.

You could also try a brackish set-up, to start. I had one for years with a few Mono Argentus and Molly's (hey, they were Sailfins) that were awesome!

 

[jessecnc]

It definitely takes time and patience at first, but once it is going I don't think it is any more difficult than the FW tanks I have had in the past. After the initial setup all I do is top off water from evaporation, feed the animals, and do water changes...same as a FW really. While it can get more difficult, it doesn't have to and still be a beautiful tank. Go for it!

 

[wilsonreef]

Asking people on this forum if Saltwater tanks worth the trouble is like asking a kid in a candy store if he wants candy......

 

[gen1dustin]

Really a lot of the basics are the same as FW tanks. First off you need some good equipment, do water changes & cleanings when needed. The cycle is pretty much the same as cycling a FW tank.

 

[shogun323]

I myself am extremely new to this hobby. I had always and still regularly hear people who are NOT in the hobby say how hard it is. After time, patience and alot of research I learned that this is a misconception. IMO Saltwater tanks are not hard and high maintenance, they just require education. I have come to believe that you get out of this hobby what you put into it. You are maintaining an ecosystem!!! Take your time to understand the cycle process, fish compatibilities and general practices you will be fine. The hardest things I have encountered are being patient and not buying everything at once and concentrating at work instead of perusing this forum!!!!

IMO take your time and educate yourself in the hobby. Read alot of threads here on the forum and pick up yourself a copy of the Conscientious Marine Aquariast. Also know that if you have any questions there are tons of experienced hobbyists and professionals here that will gladly help you out.
In regards to your question of glass or acrylic, I would say glass. I bought my 50 gallon tank a few months ago and I already have a handful of minor scratches. If I had to start over again I would definately go with glass.

 

[nigerbang]

I really think it is about the same as taking care of a FW tank...mine seems easier then FW..I use to not do water changes..I do now..(when i remember) feed and watch...add some water when needed...(dont add saltwater to top off...learned that the hard way 1st go around)..It really is pretty simple and after about 3 months...seems to take care of itself with very litttle physical interaction..like I said...mine seems easier then FW...now the 92 gal reef I am setting up might prove me wrong, but they say bigger is easier and I have a 30gal at the time and its a breeze...just do lots of reading and when you think you know enough to make the plunge.....read some more

 

[leftyblite]

I spend about the same time per month on my 150G saltwater as I do on my 80G freshwater. The saltwater took a little more patience in setting up and more$$$ but it was totally worth it. It all seems intinidating at first, but so did setting up a large freshwater tank, and now its no problem. This site is very helpful as far as learning and advice. Good Luck!!!

 

[jmick]

If you do things the right way (buy quality equipment, don’t overstock, and conduct regular maintenance) SA tanks are rather easy. The only thing I do on a daily basis is add top off water and 2-3 times a week I will do a Kalk drip. That being said, if you fail to do the little things a SA can go bad very quickly and fixing it often takes a lot of time.

 

[ginarox]

will as far as me i hired a guy to set mine up and he comes once a month to clean , and he checks everything to make sure that its ok. that is the only way i was able to get me a salt water aquarium tank, cause i am like you i didnt even know where to began, the best thing is go to your local aquarium make sure they deal with salt water, and ask if they know of anyone that could help you get started, good luck to you, its a little bet more expensive but diffenetly worht it......have a great day.....ginarox

 

[biggredd]

I hand built my entire system, except the tank. Built a MONSTER stand, a huge canopy, hand built the pvc plumbing, made my own sump, bought everything in pieces that I needed. Once I tried to get it up and running it was one thing after another with problems. I even have a post around somewhere talking about losing my sanity and just selling the whole damn thing. It pissed me off. There is a ton of work and waaaay more than my freshwater tank, but then again my fw wasn't anything special in any way. Now that I am almost 100% done setting up it all I still think it's a pain in the ass all that is involved but when you sit back and check it out it's just straight awesome the size of my tank (125) and the fish that are in it. If I had to do it again I might just buy an established tank but building it all myself it is exactly the way I want it and no regrets.
Still have some final touches to do on the canopy or I'd provide pics.

 

[fishy7]

Originally Posted by theappe
I think everyone starts out as a hobby and then makes it a lifestyle
YUP well said. I bought a 215 and did not know anything other then what I learned on this site. It is pretty much a piece of cake to take care of.
Keep up on water changes and take it slow. You will be fine.
Take the plunge and see how difficult it is~~~~~~~~~ :happyfish