How do you answer "What do I need to do to set up a saltwater tank?"

whatcaneyedo · #1 06-25-2011, 05:39 AM

Every couple of weeks I get asked this question: "What do I need to do to set up a saltwater tank?". Now I'm sure some of you are asked far more often than I, while a few of you may get it a little less. But whichever the case may be I'm curious to know how do you respond to this loaded question. Personally, I don't know what the best way is anymore. I used to spew out as much information as I could within a short period of time. But people no doubt found that approach too intimidating. So these days I often just answer with another question by asking them "Well, what is it that you want to keep exactly?" and then carry on from there. Or if I'm feeling really anti-social I'll just say buy a good book or visit www.canreef.com.

kien · #2 06-25-2011, 06:01 AM

I am personally starting to hate this question! Ya, pretty much anyone who comes over that has never seen the tank asks this question. Mostly these days its service people which is extra annoying because they are supposed to be busy fixing my AC/Stove/Internet/TV/etc.. but I digress..

I give it to them straight up. It can be (and probably will be) a lot of work, very expensive and the learning curve is steep especially if they don't have a background with freshwater. It is often frustrating and depressing (when things go wrong and die). It requires an infinite amount of patience. If it was easy everyone would have a saltwater tank in their house. I don't mean to sound discouraging, but rather realistic.

After that preface I then tell them to go read a book or ask google

marie · #3 06-25-2011, 06:02 AM

My stock answer to that question is "money". It's usually a conversation killer

Aquattro · #4 06-25-2011, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marie

My stock answer to that question is "money". It's usually a conversation killer

That pretty much sums it up right there

spawn · #5 06-25-2011, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marie

My stock answer to that question is "money". It's usually a conversation killer

+1 & if you want it to be a beautiful tank filled with coral, an addictive personality really goes a long way too.

lastlight · #6 06-25-2011, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kien

I am personally starting to hate this question! Ya, pretty much anyone who comes over that has never seen the tank asks this question. Mostly these days its service people which is extra annoying because they are supposed to be busy fixing my AC/Stove/Internet/TV/etc.. but I digress..

I give it to them straight up. It can be (and probably will be) a lot of work, very expensive and the learning curve is steep especially if they don't have a background with freshwater. It is often frustrating and depressing (when things go wrong and die). It requires an infinite amount of patience. If it was easy everyone would have a saltwater tank in their house. I don't mean to sound discouraging, but rather realistic.

After that preface I then tell them to go read a book or ask google

My gas hookup guy (who was also a close-talker) was here for nearly an hour after he connected my bbq! I had to tolerate his stories about mollies etc too it was brutal. Sometimes I'm too dang polite I tell ya.

reefwars · #7 06-25-2011, 03:24 PM

i get this question with just about every email i get or person i meet and i usually start with the basics like a tank goes along way as do salt lol for the most part i say it takes someone who can stick to a regular schedule, who can understand at times its expensive,patienece is a must.i tell people to read everywhere they can and to sign with canreef and ask all they can.i tell people to go look at other tanks and see what it is that they like that makes them weant to start one or do the switch over. i guess there is no real answer which is why i end up going to peoples house and putting all this on paper for them to follow as its alot for a new person to remember. for those who i have helped start tanks i tell people to contact me at anytime when they have questions or if they need me to come over just to ask and i will be glad to drop in.i put down names of places to read things that are a must to have and where to find them and i tell people not to buy anything they dont know about or understand.i tell people to do research on every littyle thing they can.knowlege is the most important thing if you ask me and you cant buy that so its not a fast process and like you said if it was super easy everyone would have one or ten in their house but for the select few who are dedicated enough to take on a project and apply their best to it it can be quite easy at the same time.......o and like my mother use to say...."leave it alone and let it grow" hehehe

StirCrazy · #8 06-25-2011, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marie

My stock answer to that question is "money". It's usually a conversation killer

thats what I say also but I add, "and lots of it" I make sure they understand it takes a lot of money to setup and stock the tank initially. then depending on the addictive nature of the individual it could take little money to keep it going or more.

I even let them know they better be damn sure they want to go that way as if you don't like it your only going to make back about 20% of your investment.

Steve

Madreefer · #9 06-25-2011, 05:34 PM

I've helped a few people out with setting up and after seeing their tanks 6 months to a year later and seeing a disgusting mess, I now tell people that it's really expensive and a pain in the ass. But really alls it takes is a case of OCD and cash to have a half decent looking tank.

Trigger Man · #10 06-25-2011, 06:31 PM

So what you guys are telling me is if I want to start up an new setup again it is going to cost me dearly, I have to be a clean freak, and it will tie up all my spare time? Some of this kinda feels like being married with new kid (so I'm just missing the kid or the aquarium now).