Ok, this is more of a lounge-related topic, but since it's geared solely at saltwater hobbyists, this seemed the best place to post it. I'm interested in learning more about everyone's personal experience with the saltwater scene. I've thought up some questions, so here goes...
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1. What or who got you into saltwater, and were you intimidated at first because marine systems are said to be costly and difficult?
2. How long have you been keeping saltwater aquariums, and what was the hobby like when you started, if you began a long time ago?
3. Do you still keep freshwater tanks, and how do you now feel about freshwater?
4. What was the most difficult invert or fish you've kept, and was it worth the cost and time that went into it?
5. What is your favorite thing about saltwater?
6. Any future plans/dreams for new systems?
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I'll start
1. My buddy Justin, who lives in Athens, GA, was an avid aquarist and maintained several tanks in his apartment here, including a custom made 100 gallon system. He sold or put into storage all his tanks when he moved and started a 29 gallon reef. I had talked to him for a while about saltwater but never made the plunge, even though he assured me I could easily do it once I knew and understood the basics and stayed vigilant and patient. It was my friend Flave who finally brought me over when he began his nano 10 gallon, going off Justin's tutelage. I follwed a month later and the rest is history, so to speak...
I was intimidated by saltwater. Flave, whose saltwater tank is his first system, gave me the courage to try. I honestly don't find it any more difficult than freshwater, but certainly more time consuming and expensive. I also spent a month planning and researching before I began.
2. I began Easter 2005, and so obviously, the hobby hasn't changed much since then.
3. I currently maintain 6 other tanks, all freshwater, including two glass vases, oxygenated only by dense plant life. I feel saltwater is more of a challenge, but I love my F/W tanks, especially my ten gallon planted and 55 gallon community discus tank. Once I buy a home, I'll probably downsize a lot of my F/W tanks, and the only new tank I'll set up will be my dream 125 or 180 gallon freshwater stingray system.
4. I don't feel I can answer this one yet as I'm still new to the hobby. However, my mandarin project will definitely be a challenge, and it has definitely been worth the cost and time I've put into it so far.
5. Probably the diversity of what you can grow and keep. Corals and all sessile life that just comes out of the live rock fascinate me. I'm also transfixed by starfish.
6. I doubt I will ever move higher than a nano system... the water changes alone on a large tank daunt the hell outta me. In the future, however, I will probably move my reef tank to a new stand and house a 10 gallon fuge underneath and grow mangrove plants as well as really learn how to cultivate pods.
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1. What or who got you into saltwater, and were you intimidated at first because marine systems are said to be costly and difficult?
2. How long have you been keeping saltwater aquariums, and what was the hobby like when you started, if you began a long time ago?
3. Do you still keep freshwater tanks, and how do you now feel about freshwater?
4. What was the most difficult invert or fish you've kept, and was it worth the cost and time that went into it?
5. What is your favorite thing about saltwater?
6. Any future plans/dreams for new systems?
---
I'll start
1. My buddy Justin, who lives in Athens, GA, was an avid aquarist and maintained several tanks in his apartment here, including a custom made 100 gallon system. He sold or put into storage all his tanks when he moved and started a 29 gallon reef. I had talked to him for a while about saltwater but never made the plunge, even though he assured me I could easily do it once I knew and understood the basics and stayed vigilant and patient. It was my friend Flave who finally brought me over when he began his nano 10 gallon, going off Justin's tutelage. I follwed a month later and the rest is history, so to speak...
I was intimidated by saltwater. Flave, whose saltwater tank is his first system, gave me the courage to try. I honestly don't find it any more difficult than freshwater, but certainly more time consuming and expensive. I also spent a month planning and researching before I began.
2. I began Easter 2005, and so obviously, the hobby hasn't changed much since then.
3. I currently maintain 6 other tanks, all freshwater, including two glass vases, oxygenated only by dense plant life. I feel saltwater is more of a challenge, but I love my F/W tanks, especially my ten gallon planted and 55 gallon community discus tank. Once I buy a home, I'll probably downsize a lot of my F/W tanks, and the only new tank I'll set up will be my dream 125 or 180 gallon freshwater stingray system.
4. I don't feel I can answer this one yet as I'm still new to the hobby. However, my mandarin project will definitely be a challenge, and it has definitely been worth the cost and time I've put into it so far.
5. Probably the diversity of what you can grow and keep. Corals and all sessile life that just comes out of the live rock fascinate me. I'm also transfixed by starfish.
6. I doubt I will ever move higher than a nano system... the water changes alone on a large tank daunt the hell outta me. In the future, however, I will probably move my reef tank to a new stand and house a 10 gallon fuge underneath and grow mangrove plants as well as really learn how to cultivate pods.
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