Justifying A Marine Tank...

[demonmagus]

Hi, I'm hopefully about to buy a 4 by 2 by 2 marine set up with everything (no RO unit or measuring stuff though) and this will cost me around £400, including RO unit and other stuff, then I have to buy the CUC and all the rest of it.

The problem is I am 16 now, so 2 years down the line gonna go to university - although I think I have a reasonable chance of taking the tank with me.

My problems are, for that price I could have many different freshwater e.t.c. set-ups, as well as a load of other stuff (non-fishy) which could be pretty cool.

I know I sound like I'm not really bothered about the marine tank, but atm I am not feeling as much 'in the mood' as I did. Then again I haven't seen a marine tank in the flesh for a long time either.

So I suppose my question is, what's the point in this tank? Why is it 'worth' 2-3 freshy set ups?



I hope you can help me with the question


thanks

 

[STD]

Hi, I'm hopefully about to buy a 4 by 2 by 2 marine set up with everything (no RO unit or measuring stuff though) and this will cost me around £400, including RO unit and other stuff, then I have to buy the CUC and all the rest of it.

The problem is I am 16 now, so 2 years down the line gonna go to university - although I think I have a reasonable chance of taking the tank with me.

My problems are, for that price I could have many different freshwater e.t.c. set-ups, as well as a load of other stuff (non-fishy) which could be pretty cool.

I know I sound like I'm not really bothered about the marine tank, but atm I am not feeling as much 'in the mood' as I did. Then again I haven't seen a marine tank in the flesh for a long time either.

So I suppose my question is, what's the point in this tank? Why is it 'worth' 2-3 freshy set ups?



I hope you can help me with the question


thanks

It depends on what you like

Marine fish are gorgeous and the tanks can look fab but so can tropical tanks

Keep in mind that Marine tanks can be a lot more expensive than a tropical tank to maintain

I dread to think how much I have spent on mine over the years

 

[Betta5]

atm I am not feeling as much 'in the mood' as I did. Then again I haven't seen a marine tank in the flesh for a long time either.

So I suppose my question is, what's the point in this tank? Why is it 'worth' 2-3 freshy set ups?

I am sacly the same as you, drift in and out of why? is it worth it? I could get a massive FW setup for that price etc. Im actually having sort of second thoughts on my 'bigger' marine tank (no-one have a go at me). I dont want to get it and then ignore it and not want it anymore. I think i might give it a month, to have a think, i dont intend to go to uni so that wont be a problem for me, why im talking about school, had my last exam today (GCSE yippy!). I think you should have a think if you want the tank and if you do get it are you going to be as excited after a year as you were setting it up. Maybe you are asking the question because you want something else, i am trying to decide between a tortoise and some dart frogs at the moment.

I think if you really want it then go for it and marine cost so much because they catch fish from the wild (money) ship them (moeny) all other costs (moeny) and then the shop turn a profit (thats the fish). Then for equipment they can put it as high (with in reason) as they like because if you really want a marine tank your going to have to buy it. With FW they can be bred by the 1000s, but with things like the TMC have made SW fish that are aquarium bred common like clowns and gobies.

Marine fish are so nice but i think all of the setting up (cost and all the bits) is turning me away. I just think how easy it is to just set up a FW tank and get all the joy of my angelfish and breeding and raising. OMG im making myself want a FW tank again! damn confusion again.

Sometimes i think WHY, why do i have fish, why am i spending everything on them, but i usually snap out of it and realise why i wanted them in the first place but i dont think i will carry fish keeping on in my later life tbh.
Hehe this post has made me think of how excited i got when i got my first fish, which were just 2 female guppies.

(sorry about the very confusing post but i had so much to say and so many thoughs that its come out all jumbled, hope you get what i ment though)

Well i hope you realise WHY you are questioning yourself, and i think only you can convince yourself either way.

 

[demonmagus]

Yes, I see your point, the problem is I do this with everything, down to what sandwich I'll eat - it takes me ages to make a decision - the problem is here if I get the wrond one it's very expensive

I think I'm gonna go visit a few shops and take a peek at their reefs, usually after seeing them IRL I want them again lol

 

[Betta5]

Yes, I see your point, the problem is I do this with everything, down to what sandwich I'll eat - it takes me ages to make a decision - the problem is here if I get the wrond one it's very expensive

I think I'm gonna go visit a few shops and take a peek at their reefs, usually after seeing them IRL I want them again lol

OCD alert, im similar but not as full on, well i hope you get reminded and i will too, i just look at the marine section and bam. Hmm trying to think of things to help you decide. Positives... humm........ Oh oh well there are alot more fish (weird looking ones) much more colourful and more challenging so you wont get bored. More inverts, and corals (if your getting them) they are so good to look at and care for. Its a peice of the ocean in your living room/bedroom/dorm.
It might help if you make a list of the fish and inverts you want and maybe research them, you will remember. try not to think of school thats all i can say, you will get depressed and not want one

self reassurance (sp)
Shout this,

I LOVE MARINE FISH! I WANT MARINE FISH! I CAN HAVE MARINE FISH!

Well hope you do get a marine tank and if your worried about costs there are some very good deals here,
http/www.aquarist-classifieds.co.uk/php/index_cat59.php

 

[SkiFletch]

Wanna make your decision harder? . Go look through reefkeeping magazine's tank of the months

 

[bitfishy]

Just a few thoughts....

I 'went into' marine a couple of months ago, and whilst its incredibly fascinating it is a HUGE amount of head work intially (although everyone on this site is really helpful). Firstly I guarantee you will not be able to keep all the cool livestock you want in one tank..... probably less than 20% of it. Everything eats/hurts everything else!! So unless you have a very simple plan, really research your 'wish list' because it can be demoralising.

So far I have spent £300 on the tank and filter (which I don't use) and associated bits, £120 on a protein skimmer, £45 on a powerhead, £200 on live rock, £30 on a pair of clarks, £15 on CUC, £60 on three corals, £20 on various water testing kits, £16 on two fire shrimp, £50 on books, £30 on new bulbs, £25 on nets, thermometer and various other silly bits, £5 on a cowrie and probably another £50 on food, macroalgae, phytoplankton, rotifers and so on..... and my tank just looks like a bunch of rock in a case! I haven't even started. Your situation may be different, but when I was at uni I was broke all the time and I'd never had been able to afford it.

Getting a marine tank was my present to myself when I came into some cash (the rest went on bills!), so unless you're gonna be able to fork out nearly a grand without blinking I'd say don't get a reef tank yet, maybe go for fish only, or enjoy a tropical tank (I actually miss mine!) but a reef tank is far more complicated and expensive than I realised. That said, you must get a reef tank at some point....... all the stress and problems make it all the more rewarding.

If you decide to go ahead though, do utilise this site, the people here are very helpful.