Help! Discouraged!

I actually did all of these things (aside from the catalogs, I leave Jeep catalogs everywhere for the same reason )

She tells truth, it works!

 

Lol you guys are awesome. I started this adventure 2 years ago. Just after my youngest son was born. I read all about fish tanks, planted tanks, and saltwater tanks. I did not read much about reef aquariums.

Anyways, I let it all go to the waist side until this year when my youngest son showed interest in fishies. I got an idea, I would get him a fish tank for his birthday. My wife was on for it because she saw his enthusiasm. We went to a LFS in Amarillo and my wife liked the SW fish better than the FW ones.

I had been looking on craigslist for bigger tanks because I had read that they were easier to maintain, but I found a 10g tank with filter, rock, and heater for 10 dollars in a thrift store and couldn't pass up the deal. We filled it some water and started to let the tank cycle. I was almost happy with just having a 10g tank until my son and I went to my friends house to get some bacteria from and established FW 55g tank. My son saw the FW tank, and did not react much, but around the corner was a 35g saltwater tank with a yellow tang and clownfish and an anemone in it, and my little one went crazy I quote "fishis, fishis, fishis, fishis!!!" Guess what? I was no longer satisfied.

My sons second birthday was Thursday of last week and I am just now about to add water to this 55g tank and give away some guppies we put in the 10g tank to my pastor. This project was initially supposed to be for my son, which still is in ways, but has become a project for me. My wife was on board until she saw my addictive personality get involved and I bought the 55g tank. I started talking about needing to buy all the things to have the reef tank and at the same time she was trying to plan my sons 2nd birthday party. I guess it was overload on the spending, because she was trying to buy the things she needed for his party and I was trying to buy the things needed to start this tank. I told her that I could build the tank over time but I needed a few things off the bat to get it cycling for our new pets.

I think now that the party is over and I have all the things I need to start the cycle, minus the test kit, I could coax her into getting more equipment over the next few months. I just don't know how I am going to talk to her about spending 250 dollars or more on a lighting fixture, lol. Maybe, I can get her to let me put back 50 or 60 bucks every paycheck to start saving up for maintenance fees, and buying new equipment. I don't know how this is going to work!?

 

I am posting to encourage you to continue on your quest! In all honesty, given your limited budget at this point, start out with a FOWLR. Your son and wife will love it! You don't need to worry about lighting and you can have a couple of "nemos" in there and your son's excitement will spread to your wife. Corailline's ideas are awesome in terms of slowly getting your wife to understand and appreciate your quest. Sounds like the advice is dead on and validated by Rhameolution. I think your idea of putting small amounts to the side to save up over time is great. Also, continue to check for used deals (do you have a local reef group near by?) or craigslist, etc. However, don't do this excessively because you want to just set up a tank at this point, sit back, and enjoy.

I kept a FOWLR for years while my kids were little because we didn't have the funds or time to adequately maintain a reef. In all honesty, now that I've converted to a reef - although not a full blown with tons of SPS or anything that advanced, I still enjoy my fish the most. They are the most active, many have personalities, are so colorful, and are always moving about. There are also some really cool inverts out there like urchins, shrimps, crabs, and some really funky inverts you can get when you don't have to worry about protecting corals.

Get that tank filled up! If you do regular water changes and have good husbandry, you won't have to get a skimmer right away although I do recommend that you get one at some point.

HTH!

 

I live in about as rural area as a person can. Except for the guys that live north of me 70 miles. Our craigslist listings are few and far between. I live about 50 miles to the nearest city which is Amarillo, Tx, and it is not all that big. I think there are 3 maybe 4 LFSs and of course we have 1 petco and 1 petsmart. There is a reef club there in Amarillo, but it is not very active. There is little to no activity on their forums, which I joined. So I don't think they are active. I do need to quit looking a craigslist so much at least until I have some money. I am still waiting my 30 days on here to be able to check the for sale forums, and post on the WTB forums.

 

+1 to you guys that have already posted here to encourage me. Thank you.

 

you can buy the tool any make stands for all the lazy people with money! 8)

 

You honesty don't need half of those things here is what I would do (what I'm actually doing right now) stick with your normal setup. Go buy the rock and sand which will cost some money then let you tank cycle. After its done cycling buy you CUC. After you feel you tank is set up go buy some fish, this way will take longer but I guarantee you it will all work out fine! You don't always need a lambo to go fast some times a honda will do the same job cheaper. Have a wonderful day!
Thanks
-RON BOTELHO

 

This is my actual game plan... I actually have my RO/DI unit hooked up right now. After the fish are out of QT and the tank is starting to thrive I am going to buy a skimmer, and then my lighting for corals. .