What would you say to someone who is thinking about setting up a tank for the first time but is unsure about the commitment?

[AlyciaMarie]

That was probably most, if not all, of us at some point. You can't really understand what you are getting into until you are already in too deep! I know most of us probably don't regret that decision, but knowing what you know now, what would you say to someone who is thinking about taking the plunge?

 

[damsels are not mean]

It's not much of a commitment if they don't see it as such. Just keep everything wet and keep the fish fed for periods when you're bored of it. Your animals do not get bothered by you being too busy to look at the tank even for weeks or months at a time. Nothing bad will really happen unless you have a lot of SPS. Most reefers would probably benefit from ignoring their tank for a month or two.

 

[WvAquatics]

Here's a 40g breeder let's dig into my fish pile and see what we can find.

 

[Reeferbadness]

I would say that some automation would be really helpful ie ATO. Def consider a Reef Mat vs filter socks. An Apex controller certainly would be helpful and possibly consider adding a Trident after a few months + a dosing pumps that u can control via the cloud like the RS Doser. It took me a couple I’d years to realize the value and peace of mind of adding automation but now I would never go back

 

[BryanM]

Honestly if you're worried about the commitment, don't do it.... That's likely what I'd say. You can expand from that, talk about why they want one, if they enjoy fish or corals that much.

In the end, the commitment in the first 3-6 months is what's massive, which is where I am still at... though at the end of it... but the first two months were hell, and if I hadn't done it all with live rock and sand I'm not sure I'd have survived all of the ugly stages.

 

[BryanM]

Ah yes, and if you do decide to take the plunge, have deep-ish pockets.

 

[Seancj]

I would say "Don't do it!" A good friend of mine owns a LFS and I moonlight there part time to help out. I see it often.
Most will waste hundreds, thousands, of dollars on a tank, equipment, livestock, supplies, ect. before eventually realizing that their tank will never look like all the instagram photos or BBC ocean/reef specials on Netflix. That its just too much work taking care of Nemo, actually their 3rd Nemo, because the previous two died for "some reason". After six months to a year of the ugly phase, losing fish after fish, coral after coral, eventually deciding to put everything up for sale on marketplace, being lucky to get 10 cents on the dollar for it all. Forever lamenting the foray into the hobby because they could/should have used all those lost funds for more practical use.

 

[Patx]

Run !

 

[jerricolaboy]

Start simple, low bioload, soft/lps corals and “budget” lighting will get you a lot further than you’d think. Don’t go nuts dosing things, just keep up with your water change regimen whatever it may be and be consistent with it. 30-50 gallon range is affordable and a decent size for a variety of fish

 

[trmiv]

Do a small simple tank with easy corals and see if you like it. This hobby can definitely be done relatively cheap and easy. If you like it after a year or so, get another tank.

 

[Doctorgori]

Maybe suggest getting into sports betting, less risk and a lot cheaper

 

[Reefer Matt]

It’s like most hobbies with two exceptions:
One, think of it like collecting sports cars that keep growing more new cars.

And two, think of it like collecting sports cars that constantly get stolen, and you have nothing to show for it.

Both are the wonderful world of reefing.

 

[formallydehyde]

Either don't do it or spend the extra money on one of those pre-plumbed complete reef systems with a pre-made sump. It's more expensive up front but DIY usually ends up being more expensive overall and much more time consuming.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Do it and be sure to join reef2reef.com!

 

[Cichlid Dad]

What ever tank you pick, understand it is one of the cheapest thing you will purchase in the hobby. What ever you think you're budget is triple it and that is being thrifty.

 

[edsbeaker]

If you aren’t sure of the commitment, start with a FOWLR so you don’t need to put a lot of funds and work into it at first. If you can’t be bothered to take care of simple water changes, testing for nitrate and phosphate, topping off water and feeding the fish you will know soon enough that this isn’t for you.

 

[Reefer Matt]

I’d also tell them to light a hundred dollar bill on fire and see if they can mentally handle it.

 

[EliMelly]

I would say however big is the biggest you’re thinking of going… go bigger. Be prepared to spend a lot more money than you thought, more time than you think at least initially, and be prepared for a large learning curve. It’s a huge responsibility to run at least an SPS tank but incredibly rewarding.

 

[FishTruck]

It is exactly like going to Vegas.

Decide ahead of time when you are going to tap out. How much time, how much money, and at the end of that... if you are not having fun... get out.

Or, just decide you will force it to succeed no matter what.

 

[exnisstech]

Research and research some more. It isn't as easy as people make it look on YT IG etc.
Things usually get bad before they get good and often it takes a lot of work to get from bad to good so patience is key to reduce stress.
You will have loss of life be it coral, fish or inverts so thick skin helps. Pretend any livestock you buy is like playing the lottery, sometimes you win sometimes you loose so only spend disposable income.