How expensive is that hobby?
My Missus has always been interested in this and I must admit they do look nice, she always stood by any decisions I've made and when she said wanted a better set up than one she had which consisted of 2nd hand bits. I just said to her get what she wanted as long as we can put in the same alcove in the lounge, she told me she managed to save a £100 on the price of the tank it was only FIFTEEN HUNDRED FECKIN POUNDS for a 3' foot fish tank. Anyone else partake in that particular pastime? Heres the tank, its not gold!!
Comments
Just keep the dogs in it.....
You get what you pay for with the Red Sea brand. The Red Sea Max 250 is a great set up and you won't go too far wrong with it. I'd recommend getting a nano powerhead / wave maker for extra flow as the return pump won't do the job by itself (assuming you're keeping Coral, it's fine for Fish Only).
That said, I find the Aqua One range of tanks better pound for pound value but the quality of finish is of a lower standard. My local aquatics store is selling a 3ft, 300 litre Aqua One reef set-up with all the return pumps, lighting and protein skimmer for just under £1k.
It's a great hobby and I love the fact it's changed to be more conservation driven (in the U.K.) over the past few years.
The fish look amazing but seriously it's several more hours a week than owning a dog and if you end up with a relationship with a fish the same as you get with a dog either wow or eurghh..:
http://www.tropicalmarinecentre.co.uk/en/index.aspx
My best advice is that if you want a new hobby try taking up alchemy. Turning base metals into gold is surely easier, cheaper and offers better chances of success than keeping marine fish.
My tank maintenance is nearly 2 hours on a Sunday morning and that's enough for me, Marine tanks take a lot more to look after, plus if water chemistry goes up the creek then the whole lot - very expensive fish and corals are lost very quickly compared to tropical fish.
Some stunning varieties but equally tough little buggers that don't need anywhere near the maintenance of a marine set up. Looked at moving on to a marine set up but concluded the outlay and work required would be too much for me. Maybe look again if I ever get to retirement.
Tank £1500 including £100 discount !!!
£91 sand and feckin water
I can't wait until she buys the fish
I'm sure you'll be happy with the staring price of around £25 each for the fish as well!!!!
Stick to tropical - so much easier and cheaper.
If you aim for a tank smaller than that to run marine, I would think again.
I have come across very few people who stick it out for long and the death rate of your fish can become alarming and expensive as well as somewhat soul destroying.
Go freshwater......and even they are quite a mission to upkeep. Tanks do not just sit there and look pretty.....there's a lot involved on an almost daily basis.