I've only been working with freshwater fish for 3 yrs, with probably average success. I've learned a lot here, read a lot online and am a pretty competent fishkeeper (my biggest frustration in life is clearing clogs out of my uptake tubes of fine plant matter several times a day- drives me nuts but I need floating plants).
Anyway I started watching youtube videos of how to set up a nano saltwater reef tank. "Nano" in this case is 30 gallons or so. At the same time I really need to upgrade one freshwater tank to 100 gallons to handle my 1 FOOT LONG AND STILL GROWING Dojo Loaches that have outgrown the 50 gallon tank they are in and, while Rainbow fish aren't the brightest fish in the sea I have to worry about them not getting enough food since they are competing with my 5 Dojo/toddlers. When all the Dojo's get to leaping around it is crowded in there but then they spend the other half of their time sleeping after any food gorging. So I really need to invest some money in my freshwater fish.
That will then leave me with the first 3 tanks I started with - all empty 29 gallons, The perfect size for a nano saltwater tank. The cost of saltwater fishkeeping I've found is astronomical (like just start with 2K and go from there) Fish are ultra expensive, as are all the cool corals and other organisms you'll want to buy.
So is 3 yrs as an average fishkeeper enough experience to start a saltwater/reefer tank or do those youtube videos make it look too simple? Sounds like I'd also be looking at buying a RO/DI water system and large storage containers (I'm thinking of trashcans on wheels) to move the RO/DI water to and from my kitchen down the hall to the fishroom. The RO/DI unit would have to be somewhat portable because there is no place to hang it in my tiny, tiny kitchen. I can also see life living with huge containers of water ready for water changes being too attractive.
I have the money to both fix my freshwater problem and start a saltwater tank - but it would dip into my savings account a little more than I want to - my other money is tied up and secure in investments to keep me from overspending LOL. I live a simple modest life. I am disabled but can afford to pay somebody to do water changes and other heavy stuff for me.
Are there any of you that do both fresh and saltwater tanks? What has your experience been like? Would you do it again?
Anyway I started watching youtube videos of how to set up a nano saltwater reef tank. "Nano" in this case is 30 gallons or so. At the same time I really need to upgrade one freshwater tank to 100 gallons to handle my 1 FOOT LONG AND STILL GROWING Dojo Loaches that have outgrown the 50 gallon tank they are in and, while Rainbow fish aren't the brightest fish in the sea I have to worry about them not getting enough food since they are competing with my 5 Dojo/toddlers. When all the Dojo's get to leaping around it is crowded in there but then they spend the other half of their time sleeping after any food gorging. So I really need to invest some money in my freshwater fish.
That will then leave me with the first 3 tanks I started with - all empty 29 gallons, The perfect size for a nano saltwater tank. The cost of saltwater fishkeeping I've found is astronomical (like just start with 2K and go from there) Fish are ultra expensive, as are all the cool corals and other organisms you'll want to buy.
So is 3 yrs as an average fishkeeper enough experience to start a saltwater/reefer tank or do those youtube videos make it look too simple? Sounds like I'd also be looking at buying a RO/DI water system and large storage containers (I'm thinking of trashcans on wheels) to move the RO/DI water to and from my kitchen down the hall to the fishroom. The RO/DI unit would have to be somewhat portable because there is no place to hang it in my tiny, tiny kitchen. I can also see life living with huge containers of water ready for water changes being too attractive.
I have the money to both fix my freshwater problem and start a saltwater tank - but it would dip into my savings account a little more than I want to - my other money is tied up and secure in investments to keep me from overspending LOL. I live a simple modest life. I am disabled but can afford to pay somebody to do water changes and other heavy stuff for me.
Are there any of you that do both fresh and saltwater tanks? What has your experience been like? Would you do it again?
