Vets, help an Aggressive Friend?

[glibgoat]

I have kept an aggressive tank for about 2 years now. I have kept various lions, puffers and triggers and enjoyed them a great deal. However due to my tank size (75) I can't keep the larger aggressives which is most of them.
The thought has creeped into my head to convert to a reef. I have a series of questions I would like to ask those of you who have switched from the aggressive tanks to the reefs...
#1- How much more effort has it been to keep a reef as compared to the aggressive set. I spend approx 3-5 hours a week working on the aggressive tank, how much more time committment is it.
#2- Financially, how much more does the reef upkeep cost. Obviously with more corals and the like it will cost more, but the aggressive tank is easy, toss in a couple cubes and you are done. How much more does the upkeep cost?
#3- Which did/do you think was more fun?
#4- My wife hates the aggressive tank. However she is always amazed by the beauty of friends reefs. Do most people have similar experiences...those who aren't into the hobby enjoy looking at reefs more?
I am looking for a wide range of opinions. Please feel free to post any answers you feel will help me make this decision....
thanks

 

[lauras]

I started with a puffer and a trigger IMO they are harder, messy, messy!! The corals can get expensive but so worth it!! Zenia pulsing, zoanthids in so many colors, florida ricordias under the right lighting that will knock your socks off, brains, plate corals that love to be fed!! These are a few of my favorite things

Montipora, the list goes on! Just buy the right lights to start, I didn't and had to upgrade. I like my T5's. There are stronger lights for sure such as MH. But with those the stuff I love would burn up if not placed very low. My advice is to decide what corals you like, research their care and purchase your equipment based on what you want. If you love clams you need the BIG lights. An exsample of doing your homework.. I love sun corals but don't have the time to feed them like they require so til I retire or win the lotto I can only look at them and sigh

What I found works for me is VERY few small fish, basically just need something to poop and see swimming amoung my beautiful corals. I also LOVE serpent stars, drip acclimate them for about 3 hours as they are sensitive to changes in ph, salinity and such. But I spot feed mine every 2 to 3 days and I love to watch them eat. I will never be without a reef I no longer watch TV. My spare time is spent on this board learning, at a LFS I trust (mostly) I still do my own research before a purchase and watching my tanks. Sometimes at 3am with a flashlight, so much to see!!

 

[wanabebell]

I have a 90 reef and an 90Agressive
and id say the reef is harder
its takes more precise care and has more demanding corals
But dont get me wrong the reef is much nicer looking than the AVERAGE agressive tank
id say the reef looking better than the agressive is the rule but there are exceptions

 

[whitey_028]

Your going through the steps anyway? Changing water,cleaning glass,cleaning skimmers and filter pads,Its all the same process and you wont be spending a great deal longer on maintenance than you already are. Make sure you have buttloads of light and enjoy

 

[glibgoat]

bump

 

[granny]

Just a thought, but why dont you set up a nano-reef tank in addition to the one you have? Less expensive all around and can become a little jewel in your home.
My LFS has several of these small reef tanks and they are gorgeous-plus just a few items fill them. Water changes are small, not much live rock needed etc. etc.