Ok, so you wont find amy moral debates in this thread (although some of you love your fish so much I can see it turning into that). I had a 15 gallon a few years back and have decided to get back into it more seriously. Ideally I would like a saltwater tank, but I have some concerns. Here is what I am looking at:
Fresh or Salt?
I have read articles comparing both and I would prefer salt but i have some concerns. First, the cost. How much more does it really cost to setup and maintain? It sounds like if you are careful the cost difference is not bad. I am confident that I can keep up the maintenance and keep myself informed (through websites like aa), but if the cost difference is high, a poor law student like me cant afford salt. Also, I LOVE the reef and sand tanks, but can you make a freshwater tank look that good with fake coral and sand?
Build or Buy?
I have a budget around $300 for the initial setup, and am looking at 50-75 g tanks(bigger the better it sounds like). I have been to most fish shops around Las Vegas, so I have a pretty good feel for what is around. I found a couple of good deals, but I read that the great deals are through classifieds and craigslist. I have been monitoring both, but am beginning to consider building my own stand (now way I could build a tank). I think I will buy a tank then build a stand to go with it (if I don't buy a used set up). I have no clue how to build one, but I do follow directions very well. Does anyone know a source (preferably online) that can take me through step by step on building a stand? Seems to be it should not be that difficult, but you never know.
Fish
I am suprised about how knowlegable everyone at aa is about different kinds of fish. I simply cant follow these discussions to get a good feel about which fish are right for me. This seems important, since it could determine the size of my tank and what I can put inside. I can go in these stores and check out their fish but there are so many varieties out there I would like to get an overall feel for them all. Is there a resource for newbies that can help you decide which fish are right for you?
Deep Moral Debate
Ok, I decided to give you two things to think about. I was watching season 3 of 24 last night and they killed Ryan chappelle. Holy crap, I dont know if jack did the right thing there. Second, Sean Hannity was going off yesterday about how the ACLU would attack ANY justice Bush nominated to the Supreme Court. My question is this: If a democratic president elected a justice, is there any chance Hannity would NOT attack under the same circumstances? I am a republican, but in my book Hannity is just as bad as the ACLU...
Fresh or Salt?
I have read articles comparing both and I would prefer salt but i have some concerns. First, the cost. How much more does it really cost to setup and maintain? It sounds like if you are careful the cost difference is not bad. I am confident that I can keep up the maintenance and keep myself informed (through websites like aa), but if the cost difference is high, a poor law student like me cant afford salt. Also, I LOVE the reef and sand tanks, but can you make a freshwater tank look that good with fake coral and sand?
Build or Buy?
I have a budget around $300 for the initial setup, and am looking at 50-75 g tanks(bigger the better it sounds like). I have been to most fish shops around Las Vegas, so I have a pretty good feel for what is around. I found a couple of good deals, but I read that the great deals are through classifieds and craigslist. I have been monitoring both, but am beginning to consider building my own stand (now way I could build a tank). I think I will buy a tank then build a stand to go with it (if I don't buy a used set up). I have no clue how to build one, but I do follow directions very well. Does anyone know a source (preferably online) that can take me through step by step on building a stand? Seems to be it should not be that difficult, but you never know.
Fish
I am suprised about how knowlegable everyone at aa is about different kinds of fish. I simply cant follow these discussions to get a good feel about which fish are right for me. This seems important, since it could determine the size of my tank and what I can put inside. I can go in these stores and check out their fish but there are so many varieties out there I would like to get an overall feel for them all. Is there a resource for newbies that can help you decide which fish are right for you?
Deep Moral Debate
Ok, I decided to give you two things to think about. I was watching season 3 of 24 last night and they killed Ryan chappelle. Holy crap, I dont know if jack did the right thing there. Second, Sean Hannity was going off yesterday about how the ACLU would attack ANY justice Bush nominated to the Supreme Court. My question is this: If a democratic president elected a justice, is there any chance Hannity would NOT attack under the same circumstances? I am a republican, but in my book Hannity is just as bad as the ACLU...