Slightly Discouraged!

[Reefer Rob]

You need a tank, a sump, 1 to 1.5 lbs of live rock (or DIY rock) per gal, heater, pumps for at least 20 times per hour turn over of your water, lights for the type of corals you will be keeping (I like T5s), and a skimmer rated for twice your tank size. All the rest are add-ons to make your life easier, they can come later. (JMO)

[RicePaddy]

This is all fantastic advise. And as you said, everyone has their own opinion. I think the one thing that we can all agree on is take your time. It is very very hard to do but it is important to reseach every move you make. Consider every option and how it would effect future plans and the life of your little eco system. That to me is the greatest thing about this hobby. I still remember watching my tank when the only thing in it was rock and sand. And even then seeing life grow and little creatures reacting under the moonlights.

A happy reefer,
Will

[GMGQ]

Whatever your budget is, the reality will be doubled.

There's only so much you can plan, but once you get into it, things happen, or you change your mind, or you find a 'once in a life time' deal on a higher end skimmer that you CAN'T pass up, etc.

Once you get your foot in the door, you'll end up doing more research on new toys, and you'll realize that you'll WANT the better stuff. You'll find yourself telling your significant other "Aw honey, it's only $50 more, but you get almost TWICE as much GPH! I've got too many elbows, I'm gonna need the extra GPH..." Or "I could get a cheap MH ballast, or I could get an icecap which will save me money in the long run, and be easier on the bulbs so that they may last longer as well! Plus everyone wants the best for their pets, so when push comes to shove, are you really gonna cheap out on a piece of equipment? You're only gonna spend MORE money when the cheap one breaks down, or when you find out it sucks. So you'll wanna get the better stuff, so that it lasts longer. Then you think, I might as well get the biggest one, so that I can use it on my next tank when I upgrade -- think of it as an 'investment.'

All that stuff is only human nature, and the list goes on and on. One thing that you CAN control is patience. You can start your tank up, get the rocks and stuff, but have MINIMAL inhabitants. But again, once you start making fish shop runs, it will be VERY hard to resist adding 'just one more...'

I totally agree with others that you should start with a decent sized tank, so that parameter changes are minimal when they do occur. (psssst... bigger tank = more fish = bigger skimmer? :P)

Bottom line is, you WILL find excuses to justify getting the nicer stuff. After saying all that, having a nice tank is very rewarding. Dont get discouraged! Just take your time and practice patience.

[Johnny Reefer]

Originally Posted by GMGQ

.... Whatever your budget is, the reality will be doubled. ....

Ain't that the truth! My upgrades budget has doubled, plus a tad more.

Cheers,

[andsoitgoes]

Originally Posted by Johnny Reefer

Ain't that the truth! My upgrades budget has doubled, plus a tad more.

Cheers,

lol - more like tripled, quadrupled, and more! Oy, all I have to say is I'm glad my wife knows very little about half the expenditures. "No honey, that's BEEN there all along, you must not have noticed it!"

[niloc16]

good advice, dont ever add up what you spent. lol. i guarantee it will hurt if you figure that out

[Ruth]

No wonder you guys get busted so often. Here is how it works:
-only the stuff you can see counts
-only the stuff you that lives more than 3 months counts
-only the stuff you are currently using counts (none of the pile in the basement of past "junk" and stuff you have upgraded)
-it is only worth current prices and not what you paid for it
-you get to subtract all the money you saved by buying second hand or on sale
-you get to subtract any $ amount for stuff you have actually sold (even if you actually lost $ on it - see #1 above)
-anything bought with Christmas bonus money doesn't count
I could go on but you get the picture. You guys have to get more creative to justify the hobby!

[GMGQ]

RUTH!! Will you do my taxes for me???

Originally Posted by Ruth

No wonder you guys get busted so often. Here is how it works:
-only the stuff you can see counts
-only the stuff you that lives more than 3 months counts
-only the stuff you are currently using counts (none of the pile in the basement of past "junk" and stuff you have upgraded)
-it is only worth current prices and not what you paid for it
-you get to subtract all the money you saved by buying second hand or on sale
-you get to subtract any $ amount for stuff you have actually sold (even if you actually lost $ on it - see #1 above)
-anything bought with Christmas bonus money doesn't count
I could go on but you get the picture. You guys have to get more creative to justify the hobby!