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Re: It's Science but not Rocket Science (Reply to this comment)
by colstudent69
Pat,
I appreciate the long thought out comment! I agree with you that I'm too cautious at times. In your situation it sounds like you were able to get a relatively nice setup for a reasonable price. However, I think many people get caught in the "upgrade" bug that leads to a very large bill for the hobby.
I think if you focus on staying small and avoid the upgrade bug then many of your comments ring true and I hope people see your comment. However, I've seen many people start small and then try to go big and do it cheap and they end up killing a lot of animals and waste a lot of money. I've actually being doing some additional writing on other websites and I'll try to incorporate your changes into my next article for epinions because you bring up several valid points.
Thanks again!
Brian
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May 25 '06
4:37 pm PDT
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It's Science but not Rocket Science (Reply to this comment)
by pat_the_cat
After reading your article "Going saltwater vs freshwater and common pitfalls to avoid" I have to disagree with quite a few points. Your writing style is quite readable however, so I was entertained even when I didn't agree with some of your ideas.
Although it is indeed better to err on the side of caution, your article is so cautious that it will drive people away from an interesting and rewarding hobby.
In truth, you are probably correct when you describe the saltwater aquarium hobby as expensive and time-consuming. For people like myself, non-hobbyists who just thought it would be fun and rewarding to put a marine tank in a corner of their home, it is both fun and rewarding while only moderately expensive at the start. I have no desire to breed my fish or create a tiny Great Barrier Reef in my dining room, just add a bit of color.
After doing many hours or research, I set-up a 30-gallon Sea Clear tank with an Eclipse filter and two 75-watt heaters. Including the $85 plywood stand, the basic equipment cost me about $500. For the past four months I've had a functional, good-looking system with 2 fish (Ocellaris clown and a Bispinosa dwarf angel), about 20lbs. of live rock, a fire shrimp, and two hermit crabs. I'll probably add one more small fish and some more live rock to complete the aquarium.
Maintenance consists of a quick daily algae wipe of the tank, changing two gallons of water per week (about an hour), and filter maintenance (about $4.00 for a new cartridge) about every three weeks. I have reduced my weekly water tests to about every two or three weeks.
Other than a 5-gallon bucket I use for water mixing, all of the tank equipment stores out of sight in a compartment in the stand. My duplex has a tiled floor so spills can be mopped-up easily.
I'm not using a GFI, although I created drip loops for the power strips. Stanley makes a GFI-equipped extension cord for about $30 that needs no installation.
I purchased a couple of books on the subject-- the better of which is Bob Fenner's The Conscientious Marine Aquarist-- and visited some terrific websites including About's Saltwater Aquarium section and Wetweb Media. So I would say that, while your advice may be appropriate to someone with the mistaken idea that they should begin their saltwater adventure with a full reef setup, a curious, intelligent person should be able to put a toe into saltwater with a little care and patience.
Regards,
Pat Barr
Monrovia, California
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Apr 23 '06
12:05 am PDT
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what an excellent and well thought out guide (Reply to this comment)
by shopaholic_man
I am amazed at how many people go into a new pet without knowing a thing about it, cept its cool. Your article on salt water aquariums was excellent. Myself I am a freshwater tank keeper, I have 2 tanks that I love, and I know that I DON'T have the time or the money to maintain a Saltwater tank, as much as I think they look fantastic. I am still surprised by the people who see my office fish tank and ask how I keep it looking so nice. When I tell them I clean it and change the water, they give a look like they had no clue that you couldn't just dump water in the tank and leave it there as it turns a funny green color. I'm glad I came across your review!
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Feb 26 '06
4:18 pm PST
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Re: Re: Nothing to say except (Reply to this comment)
by colstudent69
Peter,
Glad I can bring back wonderful memories for you :) My next bit of advice will be a lot more positive about why to have the tank, one of them is memories. Thanks for the comment!
Brian
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Jun 14 '05
10:42 am PDT
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Nothing to say except (Reply to this comment)
by patriciak
well done!
Patriciak
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May 08 '05
6:23 pm PDT
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Thanks for the trust! (Reply to this comment)
by colstudent69
Jo and iluvbirds!
Thanks for thinking my reviews are good enough for trust! I'm looking forward to writing more :)
Brian
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May 06 '05
8:45 am PDT
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Thanks! (Reply to this comment)
by colstudent69
Thanks everyone else for your comments, glad I'm doing a good job :) Since this was well received I'll have to add some more advice in the future once life is a little less busy :)
Brian
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May 05 '05
7:37 am PDT
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Re: Re: Re: Hi great list (Reply to this comment)
by colstudent69
Hey Jo,
Yeah, sometimes it is very difficult to figure out what is going wrong in a fish tank, even if you are doing everything right. I've had dogs and cats in the past and maybe again someday, sorry to hear about your losses, I wish dogs could live a lot longer lives! Just cherish the memories :)
Brian
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May 05 '05
7:36 am PDT
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You are... (Reply to this comment)
by chelledun
the aquarium guru! I have a bad history with fish (bought one, named him survivor, he died three days later) and now I have a kitty, but if I ever needed any aquarium advice you would be the person I would turn to :). Great job on this!
Michelle
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May 05 '05
5:19 am PDT
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Re: Re: Hi great list (Reply to this comment)
by jo.com
They are beautiful, really beautiful. We had a freshwater tank for years and never could get the water really clean. In fact in it last months the water was black. I know that's disgusting but nothing we did helped. We moved it, changed it, etc. ect. In any case we did think of saltwater but with 2 dogs and a bird gave up on fish! Now we just have 1 dog and she's amazing - She's now 1 1/2 years old and the cutest Pomeranian. We weren't going to get another dog after our Popcorn died for at least 1 year. We lasted 4 months. It's amazing how we love our pets - even our fish. I cried when they died! jo
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May 05 '05
4:40 am PDT
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I can't think of a thing to add (Reply to this comment)
by mountainhigh
to this as you write so wonderfully and answer any and all questions I would have. I always wanted a salt water tank due to the beautiful fish but never got to it. Maybe some day. Thanks for the great info.
:) - Kathy
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May 04 '05
11:16 pm PDT
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Hi Bryan (Reply to this comment)
by iluvbirds
I just love how you consistently write these great pet reviews.
Good Job!
Savanna
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May 04 '05
8:48 pm PDT
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Re: Hi great list (Reply to this comment)
by colstudent69
Yeah, I wonder that myself sometime too! It is for the fish, generally they are prettier than the freshwater counterparts. But for me it is the coral, rock and invertebrates, I love watching them grow and reproduce. The live rock has so much life on it, it is like having a mini-ecosystem in your house :)
B.
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May 04 '05
2:18 pm PDT
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Hi great list (Reply to this comment)
by jo.com
the only thing I would add is why would I want a saltwater tank (I know the fish are beautiful- is that the reason?) jo
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May 04 '05
1:13 pm PDT
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