What drew you to SW aquariums
 

How did you get into salt water aquarium keeping and how big was your first tank?

I got into it from my friend at work he showed me that it wasn't as scary as I first thought and found that it was affordable if somewhat demanding at first. I love my 33 gallon setup but seeing some of the bigger tanks I would love to upgrade one day as I love the corals and the quirks of the fish. Way more colourful and active than when I ran fresh water setups.

The fact that I can spend crap loads of money for next to nothing and my wife has no idea.:twised:

Finding nemo :wink::mrgreen::biggrin::redface::smile:

People told me not to do it :lol:

50 gallons was my first

All joking aside, my wife really wanted seahorses after we seen them at one of the big box store when we where there getting stuff for the Huskies. So I did a little research and found out there was no way I was ready to jump into seahorses right off the hop. I found a complete 65 gal set up for sale cheap and found out why it was cheap much later ( no sump ). But now a few yrs later here I am building a 300 gal 8'er with a 100 gal sump and a 60 gal cube attached for my wifes seahorses.

I grew up in Malaysia on Penang Island, so surrounded by the sea. So even though I moved to Canada while still young, I kept that love of the sea with me. Had my first seahorse when I was 12-13 when I could cycle to the LFS for a weekly bag of live brine shrimp. Had it for almost a year. By the time I was 16-17 I had a 33g with a large Volitan lionfish and a 110g (largest tank you could get back then) for my Moorish Idol, Smooth Horn Shark, Passer King Angel, & Snowflake Moray.

Didn't get into reefing (i.e. corals) until watching Finding Nemo. Most expensive movie ever.

I got into it by buying a 110 Gallon fully stocked FOWLR setup and a 50 Gallon Breeder full reef setup from a local guy that was moving. He gave me his water mixing station and everything that goes with it. I moved it all over and made the jump into satlwater! Twas a learning curve, but I did a crap load of research prior to taking the plunge, but it was well worth every cent.

Motivation:

Colors! Way more colors than freshwater.
Scuba diving reefs on holidays
Way cooler looking fish
I actually enjoy building and planning saltwater setups more than maintaining them.

Snorkeling in Maui is what drew me.
I set up my first marine tank a few days after getting back.

First tank was my in wall 9 gallon nano, upgraded to a 33, currently have a 67 and wanting a 180 or 230.

I won a 40 gallon set up, tank. lights, stand and bottom drilled for a canister etc. as a door prize at a local fish auction and thought I would give salt a try...3 years later I don't really consider this "free" tank so free anymore.... Should have filled the damn thing with guppies!!!

A close friend of the family had a big Saltwater tank when I was young. I think I was around 9 or so. (mid eighties) I spent the whole night sitting in front of that tank and was hooked.
I think it was a 90 gal. he didn't have it too long before he downsized to a smaller tank. It was so expensive and the mortality rate then was so high. He had Corals and Seahorses, fish.
I remember the Wonder I felt, I'll never forget it.
So after so many years of longing I got started 3 months ago with my 29 gal. I LOVE it. I don't think Ill ever be without one now. I love watching my kids see something move and run over to the tank to see what's going on. Even my teenage Daughter enjoys it. (just Mom gets all the work :lol:)