Let's hear about your salt water aquariums

[TexasHusker]

I've always wanted a real salt water aquarium! I've been quoted around $1000 to get a decent one set up with living plants and coral and some decent fishies.

How hard is it to maintain one of these yourself, and how expensive is it?

[GoodSteward]

I've always wanted a real salt water aquarium! I've been quoted around $1000 to get a decent one set up with living plants and coral and some decent fishies.

Sounds about right from when my aunt had one. She loved it, but...

How hard is it to maintain one of these yourself

Very

and how expensive is it?

Very


lol

[GoodSteward]

I don't know all the details since I never had a saltwater one (I had a fresh water), but you have to keep the PH levels right, salt right, temp right, etc. I actually don't know how much it costs, but I think it was an ongoing thing. It's definitely a luxury item to have. The ecosystem is more fragile I think, meaning you have to stay on top of it a lot.

However, they are amazingly beautiful and the fish are awesome to watch. Freshwater fish are rather ugly in most cases, but saltwater fish can be awesome looking and very colorful. My aunt eventually got rid of hers after having it for a few years.

[TexasHusker]

The reason I like the salt water aquariums is because the colors of the fish are so much more vibrant.

[msomnipotent]

Only $1,000 for a full set up? How large is the tank? The freshwater set up I have is worth more than that, and I know salt water systems are not cheap. I have never had a salt water system but I have friends that have. It is hard to establish, but once done it is not much more work than a fresh water aquarium. It is easier to maintain a larger aquarium rather than a smaller one, unless you fill up the larger one with more fish. I have a 150 gallon tank, and I have noticed the larger water bills. Not sure of a specific dollar amount yet as I don't have time to check our bills until later in the week, but it was enough to notice.

I order antibiotics from fishmoxfishflex.com. You might consider ordering a preemptive bottle of fish mox forte, because sometimes it is too late to do anything once you finally get the medication. It isn't something that Petsmart carries, and preppers load up when there is a sale so it isn't always in stock.

[hamchan]

There are some nice brightly colored freshwater fish too, as another option. Blood parrot cichlids, discus, flowerhorns, bettas...

[TexasHusker]

I am tentatively planning to change houses in the next year or so, and I may well take the salt water aquarium plunge then. Thanks everyone.

[~bs]

like many hobbies, it's going to be a money pit, you just have to decide whether it's worth it for you. And unless you're rich and can afford to have people set up and maintain it for you, you should also enjoy doing maintenance and upkeep, otherwise it's just going to be a burden. SO you have to enjoy the hobby as a whole.

For me, aquariums are something I'd look at a few times, think"cool", then ignore after. So owning one would just be a hassle. Maintaining salt level, temperature, PH level, O2 level, feeding the fish, cleaning their ****, etc. screw that. If I had a pet to blow money on, I'd much rather have one that's bit more interactive like a dog or cat. But truth be told, I have higher priorities in life right now than taking care of fish or a dog.

You want something to view at home that is low maintenance? Set a htdtv into the wall and play HD videos of whatever you want to view, whether it be fish, nature, mountains, a fireplace, whatever. they have 4k blu-rays that are super lifelike. Hell, they even have these types of videos on youtube. Play a 2 hour 4k video with sound of fish swimming around on loop if you choose. I'm pretty sure you'll get bored of it. At least this way, you can just change the channel.

[TexasHusker]

I would definitely pay someone to keep it. I’m not about to screw with it

[NicholasBlake]

Yeah. Saltwater aquariums are really beautiful.. Actually, when I lived in the previous house, I had an aquarium that was pretty small but effective, since there was a good Ecosystem. Under the ECOsystem, I mean the bobbit worms and of course live coral reefs. Such a mix is actually a good idea since this mix can improve the performance as well as purification for the aquarium. I guess this is something that should always work together. Btw, at the present time, I sold this aquarium so I can't give the pics..

[riverwed070707]

Got excited for a min that TH was back

[disneysteve]

Got excited for a min that TH was back

Nope. Just a necro-poster.

[QuarterMillionMan]

What happened to TH? I used to like Shaggy (maybe 5 years ago), not sure what happened to her as well. Come back and post you 2 (if you're still out there).

[QuarterMillionMan]

Was TH the person who owned hair cutting shops?

[disneysteve]

Was TH the person who owned hair cutting shops?

Yes. He owns 3 franchise locations in Texas.