giraffeTooke
New Member
- Joined
- May 6, 2026
- Messages
- 1
- Reaction score
- 3
- Location
- Malvern
- What state or country do you live in
- Pennsylvania
Setting up the saltwater tank for the very first time in my life, I was entertaining the idea for quite a bit and pulled the trigger once I moved to a place I can call mine.
I had a freshwater tank during my teenage years, but when started digging into the hobby realized how many things I didn't do or did do incorrectly.
Although, now with adult money, it looks like an interesting experience with all this equipment to choose from, all the information at hand and just really a little bit more patience (I wouldn't say that part has changed much). All these intertwined consequences of your own actions and puzzles sounds more appealing to me now, so hoping for the best and with the open eyes stepping into the dark abyss. Hoping for the community to help me out not to get completely lost.
I can't say I wasn't surprised about the cost of all the things. I've been reading about it, drafted out the cost, and can't say I was discouraged by the numbers on the paper. Although, every time I press "check out" button on the next website, I'm thinking "holy-molly, why it is so expensive".
Anyway, I did my research on the tanks available on the market, whether or not I better buy used equipment, and I ended up putting an order for Innovative Marine EXT 100 complete system (tank + sump + plumbing + return pump) at the end of June. Among all things, it will be a central piece in my living room, and whatever is not hidden should look nice. The delivery date was 4-6 months away.
Tank arrived in October. It took a little bit of time to get it together and do a leak test, experiment with aquascaping, decide on the process of getting the water ready and finally fill it in. It is almost a middle of November, and I'm a few days into the cycle. Still figuring out how to organize the process and equipment that I already have and the right order of buying equipment as well as deciding on live stock to finally see the tank is for someone to live in, not for stones and sand.
I had a freshwater tank during my teenage years, but when started digging into the hobby realized how many things I didn't do or did do incorrectly.
Although, now with adult money, it looks like an interesting experience with all this equipment to choose from, all the information at hand and just really a little bit more patience (I wouldn't say that part has changed much). All these intertwined consequences of your own actions and puzzles sounds more appealing to me now, so hoping for the best and with the open eyes stepping into the dark abyss. Hoping for the community to help me out not to get completely lost.
I can't say I wasn't surprised about the cost of all the things. I've been reading about it, drafted out the cost, and can't say I was discouraged by the numbers on the paper. Although, every time I press "check out" button on the next website, I'm thinking "holy-molly, why it is so expensive".
Anyway, I did my research on the tanks available on the market, whether or not I better buy used equipment, and I ended up putting an order for Innovative Marine EXT 100 complete system (tank + sump + plumbing + return pump) at the end of June. Among all things, it will be a central piece in my living room, and whatever is not hidden should look nice. The delivery date was 4-6 months away.
Tank arrived in October. It took a little bit of time to get it together and do a leak test, experiment with aquascaping, decide on the process of getting the water ready and finally fill it in. It is almost a middle of November, and I'm a few days into the cycle. Still figuring out how to organize the process and equipment that I already have and the right order of buying equipment as well as deciding on live stock to finally see the tank is for someone to live in, not for stones and sand.
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