Uugggghhh I don't need any advice, or do I? I think I just a lift me up. And maybe this will help someone new. Maybe I mention something in here that someone else hasn't though about either but is thinking about starting a reef tank.
My whole life I've been in love with the ocean. Its literally the only place I ever felt at peace, at home. Hatteras Island if we want to get specific about which body of salt water heals my soul. I always wanted to bring a piece of it home with me every time I left. Since I was a baby. My mom always calls me her ocean baby, her mermaid. My husband and I were even supposed to buy a house down there but the economy flipped just as we were ready. I was lucky enough to find a spouse that had the same end goal as me. To end up on my favorite island in the entire world. Anyway, I figured now was the time in my life to start my reef tank.
That being said...being new to this hobby is hard! I've spent YEARS researching, watching, preparing myself for all of the things that could happen. I would lay out all of the things I thought I'd need and add it all up. I would decide that it was the time to make this happen and then back out.
Kids, travel, ups and downs in life, it was never the right time. It figures that I'd decide that now would be the right time being that everything is stupid expensive but I knew this hobby wasn't cheap to begin with and it's a massive commitment. I thought I was ready. My husband and I worked out the ins and outs. Who'd take care of what and splitting the responsibility. I'm a mom and the majority of household and kid stuff falls to me. Not to mention we have a whole unofficial farm here. Either way we were ready. What's one more thing on my plate.
The things I wasn't prepared for were the expenses people rarely talk about and things I didnt even see coming. Storage barrels and wheels and how long can different salts be stored for in advance for water changes. Saw for my husband for cutting rock for the scape. I'm sure I could use for corals which I haven't even purchased yet.
CORDS. CORDS EVERYWHERE. I am super OCD. So I had to buy a cabinet today to hide those cords and a little track thing so the cords could neatly make it to the cabinet. Back to cabinet, it had to be one that my cat couldn't jump on and make it into my tank. Cat- didn't even consider it. I have 4 rescues. None of them have ever tried to get to my betta which sits right on the counter and is easily accessed. So since setting up my reefer, my 11 year old cat has tried to jump INTO the tank twice. There's not even fish in there. So thinking I have to buy a lid now. I purchased a red sea mesh lid and its the worst thing I've ever bought. Saggy, flimsy, sad looking and puts my spirit in the dumps. An acrylic lid made by top lids is now out of the question because of the things I had to buy today including a
power strip with individual shut off buttons.
Things I still have to buy are a Uv fliter and a protein skimmer. I'm sure there's tons more. So if you have suggestions for what else I'll need just lay them on me today while I'm already feeling sour.
I only have the filter socks and sponge that came with my red sea xl 200. I've purchased 4 wave makers, 4 heaters, inkbird 308s, AIO fluval quarantine tank, protien skimmer for that, pods and phyto, which both arrived dead.
Tons of frozen fish food that my fish won't even eat. Garlic to try to entice them. Nope won't touch it. All 4 of them have been in quarantine for weeks.
I also purchased carbon and mesh bags for those. Pipettes, droppers, test kits including one Hana checker.
Some people say they do things on the cheap, I'd love to know how because I'm 4k in and I'm not even close. Granted my tank is what cost me the most. I'm not giving up, I just feel a little deflated. So any helpful input about what else I need and how to save some money would be appreciated.
My whole life I've been in love with the ocean. Its literally the only place I ever felt at peace, at home. Hatteras Island if we want to get specific about which body of salt water heals my soul. I always wanted to bring a piece of it home with me every time I left. Since I was a baby. My mom always calls me her ocean baby, her mermaid. My husband and I were even supposed to buy a house down there but the economy flipped just as we were ready. I was lucky enough to find a spouse that had the same end goal as me. To end up on my favorite island in the entire world. Anyway, I figured now was the time in my life to start my reef tank.
That being said...being new to this hobby is hard! I've spent YEARS researching, watching, preparing myself for all of the things that could happen. I would lay out all of the things I thought I'd need and add it all up. I would decide that it was the time to make this happen and then back out.
Kids, travel, ups and downs in life, it was never the right time. It figures that I'd decide that now would be the right time being that everything is stupid expensive but I knew this hobby wasn't cheap to begin with and it's a massive commitment. I thought I was ready. My husband and I worked out the ins and outs. Who'd take care of what and splitting the responsibility. I'm a mom and the majority of household and kid stuff falls to me. Not to mention we have a whole unofficial farm here. Either way we were ready. What's one more thing on my plate.
The things I wasn't prepared for were the expenses people rarely talk about and things I didnt even see coming. Storage barrels and wheels and how long can different salts be stored for in advance for water changes. Saw for my husband for cutting rock for the scape. I'm sure I could use for corals which I haven't even purchased yet.
CORDS. CORDS EVERYWHERE. I am super OCD. So I had to buy a cabinet today to hide those cords and a little track thing so the cords could neatly make it to the cabinet. Back to cabinet, it had to be one that my cat couldn't jump on and make it into my tank. Cat- didn't even consider it. I have 4 rescues. None of them have ever tried to get to my betta which sits right on the counter and is easily accessed. So since setting up my reefer, my 11 year old cat has tried to jump INTO the tank twice. There's not even fish in there. So thinking I have to buy a lid now. I purchased a red sea mesh lid and its the worst thing I've ever bought. Saggy, flimsy, sad looking and puts my spirit in the dumps. An acrylic lid made by top lids is now out of the question because of the things I had to buy today including a
power strip with individual shut off buttons.
Things I still have to buy are a Uv fliter and a protein skimmer. I'm sure there's tons more. So if you have suggestions for what else I'll need just lay them on me today while I'm already feeling sour.
I only have the filter socks and sponge that came with my red sea xl 200. I've purchased 4 wave makers, 4 heaters, inkbird 308s, AIO fluval quarantine tank, protien skimmer for that, pods and phyto, which both arrived dead.
Tons of frozen fish food that my fish won't even eat. Garlic to try to entice them. Nope won't touch it. All 4 of them have been in quarantine for weeks.
I also purchased carbon and mesh bags for those. Pipettes, droppers, test kits including one Hana checker.
Some people say they do things on the cheap, I'd love to know how because I'm 4k in and I'm not even close. Granted my tank is what cost me the most. I'm not giving up, I just feel a little deflated. So any helpful input about what else I need and how to save some money would be appreciated.