Salt Virgin Needs Advice

[Hangfire]

I'm no expert in marine aquariums, but have you thought about setting up a nano tank. You could pick up a pico 3 gallon tank for around $60, and it comes with a light and a filter. You'd need to get a small heater, but that's about it. I've seen some very nice set ups on nano-reef.com with little more than that tank - some of the guys have upgraded their filters and lighting, but it would be fairly cheap. Just a thought.

[rstar]

I am a firm believer in the health of our critters. If going the "cheapest possible route" and "seeing if i can do it" or squeaking by just barely means your critters will suffer then they are better left in the ocean or at the store. We have a responsibility as aquarists to provide the best care in our means to these critters, and if that means no skimmer and the fewest waterchanges possible on a small tank you are setting yourself up for disaster. And no one on here wants to see anyone fail. I agree that there are cheap ways of getting into the hobby, but even at that level there are fundamental things you need to do lieu of something else like a skimmer (regular waterchanges) The addition of supplements, nutrient export. Which all in the long run adds up. I always tell friends who come by and are dazzled by my tank, who are considering setting one up for themselves that this is liekly one of the most expensive hobbies to get into. Ive added my bills up and over the last three years and have spent something like 11,000 dollars on equipment and live stock and ive only got a 90 gallon and chose to go the "medium route on most things) im guessing that my total doesnt hold a candle to what some people spend on theirs.

All i am saying is think long and hard before making a commitment to this hobby if the time isnt right. Often new people who come upon disaster loose hope and leave the hobby, no one wants to see that. Reefking is a long term hobby some fish will live 20 years, and coral given the proper care, will go on and on. Good luck with your choices and if you choose to continue, welcome to the hobby!

[Slick Fork]

Originally Posted by rstar

I am a firm believer in the health of our critters. If going the "cheapest possible route" and "seeing if i can do it" or squeaking by just barely means your critters will suffer then they are better left in the ocean or at the store. We have a responsibility as aquarists to provide the best care in our means to these critters, and if that means no skimmer and the fewest waterchanges possible on a small tank you are setting yourself up for disaster. And no one on here wants to see anyone fail. I agree that there are cheap ways of getting into the hobby, but even at that level there are fundamental things you need to do lieu of something else like a skimmer (regular waterchanges) The addition of supplements, nutrient export. Which all in the long run adds up. I always tell friends who come by and are dazzled by my tank, who are considering setting one up for themselves that this is liekly one of the most expensive hobbies to get into. Ive added my bills up and over the last three years and have spent something like 11,000 dollars on equipment and live stock and ive only got a 90 gallon and chose to go the "medium route on most things) im guessing that my total doesnt hold a candle to what some people spend on theirs.

All i am saying is think long and hard before making a commitment to this hobby if the time isnt right. Often new people who come upon disaster loose hope and leave the hobby, no one wants to see that. Reefking is a long term hobby some fish will live 20 years, and coral given the proper care, will go on and on. Good luck with your choices and if you choose to continue, welcome to the hobby!

Well Put

[moldrik]

I highly agree. With my tank, the only thing that I need to be careful with is space, so I don't have a lot of room to work with, so I need a compact system for skimming, etc.. However, I would definately spend the money. I love fish and I want to make sure that I have the right stuff to keep them healthy and happy.

I can see his perspective that he wants to keep a tank and he is low on funds. And yeah, the "responsible" route is to not get one, save your money, and invest it or something ( stocks are really low right now! ).

The more you cut corners and the more you cheap out, the worst of a headache you will have and the more money you will spend in the end replacing stuff that doesn't work as well as it should. So really, investing that extra $40 here and there, in the end, will save you money.

For you, living the student life, I think it's a matter of buying one thing at a time, for the right price, until you got most things ready to go.

Someone mentioned this as well, but if I wanted to go cheap, I would cut the sump/refugium that you're planning on setting up. You don't NEED it, and the keyword here is that: NEED. You WANT to keep an aquarium, so what do you NEED to keep it running properly, with good water condition, for the next X years ( right, years ).
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