The longest you've planned/researched before pulling the trigger?

[AlexKintner]

I'm currently reefless, and have been planning my next system for nearly 2 years. The first 6 months was strictly research, but recently it's been about balancing a pricey hobby purchase with competing home priorities like kitchen remodels, aging roof etc.

Whether it's for a fish, a coral or an entire system, what's the longest you've planned before pulling the trigger?

 

[ca1ore]

I'm always planning the next system - some of them come to fruition, but most do not. Once planning turns to buying, it's only a few months. Unwise to buy equipment too far ahead as the warranty ends up expiring in the box.

 

[Rudzbrewski]

I have been researching the hobby, reading, watching videos, etc since at least November. Currently, working on my Dt build. I would guess it will be at least another month before I have water in the DT.

 

[Timfish]

Decades. I should be putting water in a system in a month or so I've been thinking about since reading about Lee Chin Eng using "Live coral animals to filter the water" in a copy of "Exotic Marine Fishes" over 30 years ago. It's a system I frequently think about running over options and layout. 20 years ago a chance conversation raised the question of having it run totally off solar. Most of my led designs the last 9 years have had integration with solar panels at the back of my mind. As far as purchases acrylic was bought 4 years ago and I found new solar panels recently for $0.30 a watt. Live rock should be ordered next week so quarantine it and fish and we're off to the races.

 

[AlexKintner]

Decades. I should be putting water in a system in a month or so I've been thinking about since reading about Lee Chin Eng using "Live coral animals to filter the water" in a copy of "Exotic Marine Fishes" over 30 years ago. It's a system I frequently think about running over options and layout. 20 years ago a chance conversation raised the question of having it run totally off solar. Most of my led designs the last 9 years have had integration with solar panels at the back of my mind. As far as purchases acrylic was bought 4 years ago and I found new solar panels recently for $0.30 a watt. Live rock should be ordered next week so quarantine it and fish and we're off to the races.

Wow... sounds like an ambitious project, and not one to be rushed. Look forward to the build thread!

Any other long-term planners out there?

 

[yababo]

You can never do "too much research". Longest I'd say is about 2 years back when I 2ws in elementary school to prove my mother the benefit of having one.

 

[Jimbo7]

My current tank setup was about 3 years of planning and slow purchasing when I saw deals. Got a great deal on a 210g way earlier than I had planned so it sat dry for around 2 years. I drilled holes through my first floor to plumb a remote basement sump / fish room so I reeeaaalllyyy wanted to make sure I had everything planned to a T before pulling the trigger.