Never done this before

srafayuddin · Sep 6, 2020

Hello, I am in my fifties and need a new hobby to keep myself busy. Not sure if this is for me. Worried that it may be too much investment of time and I may not be able to keep up. Please help making the decision.

Peace River · Sep 6, 2020

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!! Your concern may be helpful with the needed patience. Reef at your own pace - we're glad you're here!

Bryn · Sep 6, 2020

Welcome to R2R... It can be a big investment, of money and time, but it does not have to be. Take your time, and lets us help when you need us on the forum.

BackToTheReef · Sep 6, 2020

1st things 1st

There are some "cheats" to the time required with various levels of automation involved but it does take time to care for. Luckily there are a number of different options of tank sizes, equipment, and livestock that require more or less time and attention.

Are you more concerned with the level of care a tank is going to take and not having time available to do it properly or want a tank but not wanting to put much time into it?

Ippyroy · Sep 6, 2020

Welcome to R2R! I work 14 hours a day 6 days a week. I spend about 20 minutes a day testing, feeding, and dosing. I then spend maybe an hour on my day off doing water changes and cleaning. I get some more corals this week so that will be an extra hour or two, but no biggie. A new tank doesn't take that much time. Automation maked everything easier.

vetteguy53081 · Sep 6, 2020

WIReefer · Sep 6, 2020

Welcome to R2R!!!

4tanks · Sep 6, 2020

Welcome to r2r go for it there are plenty here to help you on your way and the slower you take it the better good luck

KJ · Sep 6, 2020

Welcome to R2R!!!

ScottR · Sep 6, 2020

Welcome to the most helpful place on the planet. A big piece of advice: find some local reefers to chat with, learn from, trade/buy/sell. My local buddies are the lifeline for me in this hobby.

KingTideCorals · Sep 6, 2020

Doesnt have to be too much money or time put into your tank to be successful! All about having the right recipe and doing as much research as you can!

Linked below is my new YouTube channel, come check it out! May be helpful!

Fred2482 · Sep 6, 2020

Welcome!

BeltedCoyote · Sep 6, 2020

welcome to R2R! I’ve found it helps to have a plan in mind. What sort of tank do you want? What species of fish? Coral? If so, which kinds?

If you have an answer to the questions above, I’ve found it much easier to figure out what gear and equipment are needed. Also, be sure and check out the used selling sections. Great way to find good gear at a good price

srafayuddin · Sep 6, 2020

BackToTheReef said:
1st things 1st

There are some "cheats" to the time required with various levels of automation involved but it does take time to care for. Luckily there are a number of different options of tank sizes, equipment, and livestock that require more or less time and attention.

Are you more concerned with the level of care a tank is going to take and not having time available to do it properly or want a tank but not wanting to put much time into it?

srafayuddin · Sep 6, 2020

I am willing to put in time, but not sure if I would be successful. I can buy stuff if that would help me decrease the amount of time that I have to devote to the tank. Obviously if I am going to be successful and see the fruit of what I did, I would be more willing to do it. IT is very natural. I am a very patient person and I have read that patience is very important in this hobby. I am perfectly fine if things happen slowly. I want to start with something that is doable for someone new. Right now I am reading and watching videos of "how to". Is it true that fish only tank is difficult to maintain than the one with live rocks in it? and if I have live rocks then why not add corals to it as well. why is it important to know what kind of fish or carols I want? I don't have a preference. All fishes look beautiful to me. I would like to have fishes that go well with each other. Maybe later as I grow into the hobby, I might like something more than the other.

srafayuddin · Sep 6, 2020

Ippyroy said:
Welcome to R2R! I work 14 hours a day 6 days a week. I spend about 20 minutes a day testing, feeding, and dosing. I then spend maybe an hour on my day off doing water changes and cleaning. I get some more corals this week so that will be an extra hour or two, but no biggie. A new tank doesn't take that much time. Automation maked everything easier.

srafayuddin · Sep 6, 2020

So it is doable. Thank you

BackToTheReef · Sep 6, 2020

srafayuddin said:
I am willing to put in time, but not sure if I would be successful. I can buy stuff if that would help me decrease the amount of time that I have to devote to the tank. Obviously if I am going to be successful and see the fruit of what I did, I would be more willing to do it. IT is very natural. I am a very patient person and I have read that patience is very important in this hobby. I am perfectly fine if things happen slowly. I want to start with something that is doable for someone new. Right now I am reading and watching videos of "how to".

Patience is key! BUT there is no guarantee of success. Many will tell you stories of a beautiful tank and boom, it crashes. All you can do is try to set yourself up for success in the long run. Reading and watching content is already a great jump start.

Is it true that fish only tank is difficult to maintain than the one with live rocks in it?
-You can totally do Live Rock (LR) with a fish only tank, it's called a Fish Only With Live Rock (FOWLR)

and if I have live rocks then why not add corals to it as well.
-You can but...
-FOWLRs are typically for larger fish or fish that don't play well with others and tend to be higher nutrient loads (eat more and poop more). Some corals don't like that and filtration requirements to keep are often much higher
-Depending on the type of coral you want they might require drastically different lighting than a FOWLR will.

why is it important to know what kind of fish or carols I want?
-Some fish eat other fish and get big, some eat coral/other inverts
-Planning appropriate system components
-Having a general direction helps guide a lot of the choices you'll have to make. If there's a certain fish that really floats your boat then you can plan around that. If you want to have some more light intensive inhabitants down the road you can buy a lighting set up for that and "dial it back" for the time being.

It is totally doable and with all the automation and equipment available tanks don't have to be the maintenance burden they used to be. Giving us more time to enjoy them and their inhabitants.

I'm sure I did a horrible job of answering your questions. And frankly I am dealing with some of these issues/decisions/etc. as I plan my next system so you aren't alone!!