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Okay, I feel like I have been here so many times before that I need to get some good advice...

After reading information I have come across on the net, looking at old posts here on FP, reading a couple books I have scammed from the library, and asking oodles of questions to the few people I know who have turned salty already, I have one major concern left..

How do you get from the point where you want to do a set up and are researching you tookus off to the part where you actually make a final decision, go out to the store, and spend real money on your first bit of equiptment?? I am driving myself crazy with doubt and indecision!!!!

I had a hard enough time trying to set up my first planted tank, and that was only a few minor light adjustments and some new substrate!! The only way I got over that hurdle was to just go out and buy some tough plants and then make darn sure I didn't kill them (which worked well actually ) But this is a little different in that we are talking actual live creatures and not just plants, things that probably don't take months to die off, or that can be cured with a little more iron or something- lives are on the line and all that. Not to mention the money aspect.. If something goes wrong most likely it would take me a while to be able to afford to fix it. Plus there's the fact that even a basic reef tank cost more than a billion times more than I spent on my planted tank set up for sure! If I make a mistake and fail miserably at this salty thing I am going to be feeling the effects for a long time to come financially and emotionally!!

So tell me how to do it will ya'?? How do I get past the uncertainty and get into the pool?? Or am I still not ready to take the plunge??

*sigh*
Lisa

Last edited by littlecatjoe at 16-Feb-2005 15:03

LISA!!! I have been wondering the exact same thing!!! Could you please tell me when you find out...?

See...over the summer, I was forced to go to this annual party that my moms boss has every year. Only, this is the first time we went, since it was the first summer my mom has been working for this doctor. (She's a midwife.) So, all the people from their practice were going to be there, and there was going to be like NO kids. Me, my 11 year old brother, and 7 year old sister, had made up our minds that we did NOT want to be there.

That party...changed my life. I walked in the door with a gloomy face on, only to discover the glow of metal halide lights several feet away. Nobody ever told me this guy was a reefer!? I fell in love. The doctor and his wife conversed with me all afternoon, everyone stared at us like we were speaking another language. Mom and dad knew I liked and was interested in having a SW tank, but they didn't realize just HOW much.

Day after day, week after week, the doctor would complain to my mom, that her daughter deserved to have a SW tank. Well, his complaining and my research paid off. I decided I would get a reef tank as my Sweet 16 gift. It was fair; it's less expensive than a party these days, and it's something I really wanted. So that was settled...

But, alas, my birthday isn't until March. And I wanted to get started sooner, I just couldn't wait. So I took advantage of Christmas. That was how I started my journey- my parents bought me the tank (72 gallon bowfront) and overflow kit, and some simple accessories. We got a stand too.

Now, nearly two months after Christmas, I have still gotten nowhere. It took me ages to pick out lighting...which hasn't arrived yet. *cough* I've been putting off ordering my Oceans Motions unit for days, b/c it's so expensive, and being just 15, it's not easy for me to earn money.

I just cannot bring myself to splurge on this tank, I'm constantly afraid that I have made a big mistake. It's just sitting there collecting dust...something needs to be done. I need tank therapy or something. >.<



Can somebody please inject the two of us with some guts? We could really use it...



[hr width='40%'][font color="#000080"]"I know that you are something special, To you I'd be always faithful
I want to be what you always needed, Then I hope you'll see the heart in me"[/font]

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

if you have been reseaching already, and looks like you did alot already, then what u have researchd is what you need to know.

it looks like you are willing to spend money on good equipments, so why won't it work?

just stock lightly and slowing and your loss will be minimal, if there is any

Last edited by Week End at 16-Feb-2005 19:24

I thought us men are supposed to be the ones with commitment issues

Relax ladies....the part about not being able to get motivated to set up the tank is normal. I think all of us went through it when we first started. Its just because you are stepping into a new realm of fishkeeping and you are not familiar with it.

Take a deep breath....exhale.....another deep breath.....exhale.

Its not as hard as it seems like it will be. The fact that both of you have been researching tells me that you will infact be good at taking care of your tanks...not to mention the fact that you both already have tanks. The only difference is one will have salt and the others dont. Dont get me wrong, there will be parts of the road that are bumpy, but we will help you get through that part.

Now go get it done!

It took me ages to pick out lighting...which hasn't arrived yet. *cough*

the lighting will be on its way next week...I promise



Last edited by DarkRealm Overlord at 17-Feb-2005 18:28

Oh my Nate, I have been researching marine stuff off and on since before I had a computer to look things up on. A reef tank has always been my ultimate goal in fishkeeping- that maybe why I am so freaked out it may actually happen before I die!!

Bad news though...

The silly folks at the bank have sent me a brand spankin' credit card!!!

Hubby is crying already.....

L.

lol

The really neat thing about cost for a SW tank, is that it is spread out so much. The setup, as it takes longer to cycle and catch up, makes the costs spread out.

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