Do you have what it take?are you willing?

No trick question.. A lot of questions are the same! Before you start in salt water do you have what it takes? Will you spend what it takes? Do you want to do what it takes? Before you splash in, do you know what -what is? Maybe not to you, but this is a matter of life and death. Please do it right as possible. Any anti-life comment please email direct.
John

 

If this where true, then you could throw out all the DIY stuff...

Everyone has their own levels of commitment, to question it is not my place nor anyones.

-Fritts

 

The best advice I can give to increase your chances of success are:
1)READ and RESEARCH about the hobby...all aspects from lighting to compatibility of livestock
2)create a intricate plan as detailed as possible focusing on what you would like to maintain(goals).
3)expense budget-take the time to determine what system is right for you. You could take the lavish road to setting up an aquarium by spending a fortune or do your homework and be able to weed out having to upgrade due to initial spending faults and buying equipment and livestock that don't or shouldn't be part of your marine community...
THINK about the cost associated with maintaining an aquarium as well as their are ongoing expenses such as food, electricity and supplies!
4) take the time to select each specimen for your tank. By this I mean inspect the animal to increase your chances that the animal will be healthy in your tank. Also study compatibility and husbandry issues before taking the plunge and purchasing a living animal only to have it die in a short period of time due to aggressive behavior by one or more tank inhabitants. Subdued equipment and subpar water parameters can effect livestock as well.
Take the time to do it right and don't cut corners...why spend money if you don't have to and why spend money on another coral, invertebrate or fish becuase the last one died in a day or week because of a careless error on your part.
The livestock we purchase as conscientious marine aquarists relies on us for their health and well being. Providing a suitable home, food and environment are what is asked for by our livestock! If we offer them what they need, they will in return reward us by giving us many years of enjoyment, excitement and amazement!
Best of luck to all who plan on jumping into the fascinating marine world under the sea and for those that have taken the plunge, may you continue to see success and enjoyment for many years to come.
Their is nothing more rewarding that to see one of your corals reproduce and grow, or for your living animals to coexist in a diverse biotope from a symbiotic standpoint.
Think about it!

I have said my piece...take it or leave it,
the choice is yours
success or failure hinges upon these issues, however, in my opinion!
I don't have all the answers but I think with my experience and countless hours of reading and researching, that I have a good grasp as to the best ways of becomming a successful and conscientious aquarist and cutting down the chances of harming or killing livestock that is so dependent upon you and your actions!

 

very well said, thank you coral reefer

 

I can see this thread going in a negative direction....not now, but possibly later. Let's keep it as positive as we can while still expressing our viewpoints.

CR said it best here IMO. K+.

There is a lot to learn in this hobby. I know I have packed much information into my brain thanks to this site in the the last five or so months. ......and for that thanks guys and gals.

Peace.......John.

 

Well said coral reefer. That sums it all up. K+

 

I totally agree, I may have said it wrong!
But every day on the forums(not just this one) I read I have this new coral... how do I take care of it? "Oh! it requires 3-4 watts per gallon" then the animal slowly dies, because their not willing to do what it takes!
Please ask first if your not sure and if you don't have a good relationship with your LFS. Sorry, No negative intent, just concern for our marine Friends. Karma to ya!

 

I would like to weigh in on this. Yes we do see these questions, sometimes even if someone reads and researches something, you don't get the day by day info you would like, so you ask. On the other hand sometimes the question arises because there has been no research. I don't know how you can determine which is which. I know for myself, I don't ask unless I have read and searched the net, also sometimes you get contradictory info so you ask because you are confused.