OT: How did you get into the hobby?

[Reef n' Madness]

What sparked your interests in reef aquariums? Whether is was years ago or last month, what made you finally take the plunge?

I have had freshwater tanks since I was little. I always loved reef aquariums but never even considered having one. I had no clue what exactly went into having one but I was sure it was way too expensive, way too complicated and way too time consuming. Little did I know how right I was! :lmao: It was about five years ago when two close friends converted their tanks to saltwater. I admired their tanks but still never imagined one of my own. I spent a lot of time visiting them and learning all about the fish, the corals and the mechanics. It was about 4 years ago when our FW fish started dwindling and I hadn't been buying new fish because I just couldn't decide what kind of fish I wanted to have. Did I want to invest in Disc tank or did I want to start spending time at home working on my own tank rather than visiting my friends tanks? Our friends started offering all kinds of free corals and fish if we would just switch our tank. What can I say, I couldn't pass up the opportunity. I am really glad I made the switch. Well, I will admit I still keep a 20g fresh.


So what's your story?

 

[Nu2SW]

I had FW tank for 3 years and Ive always wanted to do SW.

In 2006 I got my taxes from uncle sam...

I had 5grand to burn and Ive always wanted a SW tank.... SO i splurged

 

[funman1]

I had FW for years wanted to SW for more.
Went to Denios about 2 years ago, saw the new fish place there saw how cheap saltwater had gotten vs the 1980's-1990's and decided to take the plunge!!

So while I admit I was not swayed by the best of places, it's what lit the fire again, but this time I had cash to feed it!

 

[Justin74]

I was tricked into it!




-Justin


-j/k

 

[mpoletti]

I went on my honeymoon to Bora Bora and when I came back, it was time to set up a reef tank.

 

[JeffReef]

I was stationed at Travis AFB back in March of 1994 when a friend invited me to his party. He had a nice 120g mixed reef that sparked my interest. I immediately bought a 20g from Sea Splendor (in Fairfield) and started my own reef tank. I was hooked since then.

 

[kdblove_99]

I stopped drinking in 01 and needed something to take my mind off it so i bought a FW tank and did freshwater until 06.
Then i just decided there isnt any challenge in freshwater.

So Feb 06 decided it was time for a new adventure.

Talk about time consuming, WOW!

 

[woodycb]

Scuba diving in cozumel while on vacation 2yrs ago. The water is crystal clear and the reefs are awesome.

 

[Nuuze]

Like JeffReef, I saw my first reek at Sea Splendor where I live in Fairfield while shopping for freshwater stuff. Once I started wandering to other cities towards Sac, the Bay and SoCal it was over. I was hooked, to the vibrant colors, viriety of livestock and crazy hardware.

 

[bobbyblank]

Had FW tanks for years and the only one that i enjoyed was my arowana tank. I alwase wanted a SW tank so when i sold my arowana, i bought a new tank and set it up for SW. Still in progress but very happy with results so far

 

[BBishop]

I was hooked on Sea Hunt, Flipper, and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea like they were religion back in the 60's.
Yes, I started all the way back then.

 

[quan325i]

I used to keep FW fishes since I was 6years old using my monthly allowances. When I came to the states at the age of 17, I couldn't afford to keep anything, especially in an apartment. Ironically, the first place I hung out 2 days after my arrival to the state was Capitol Aquarium while waiting for my bus to go home. It was not until 2002 when we bought our own house that I started getting into it. My best thing that happened to me in this hobby was my discovery of craiglist.

QN

 

[robertloop]

It all started when I was about 8. My dad had a fish only. (1983) Parents broke up soon after.. In high school got a job.. Wanted a salt tank. Had a fish only for a year. Time passed.. 1996.. got a 55g tru vu with a built in overflow/sump. Been in it since. Got SCUBA cert in 98. Always fasinated by underwater nature shows for as long as I can remember.

 

[sumyungviet]

my dad has always kept a fw tank, for my 17th bday a couple of my friends got me a 20 gallon tank, which I kept some cichlids for a couple of months. Then one of my friends kept a 55gallon with a couple of triggers and lion fish. I was hooked, went home, scooped out the cichlids, went to petco, got a box of salt, couple of damsels, went home dumped in the salt into the fw, tossed in the damsels... thats how i started.

 

[Auntbeez]

I started with guppies in a 10 gal tank, sometime around 1970... graduated through multiple FW setups eventually to 135 in the late 80's.
(At one time in there I had a 10 gal SW that wasn't too successful).

Then it happened.

A co-worker bought a SW tank he wanted to keep African cichlids in. I agreed to take on the fish in a 29 I had stocked with goldfish. Since one of the fish was a Blue Tang I knew I would be graduating again... this time to a 75 reef set up. I got my first zoos in March this year and haven't looked back.

A thousand $$$ later....
I still have the 135, a 29, and a 5 FW and the 29 and 75 SW (both are now reef).

No I am not addicted.

 

[AJPACINO]

ERRR.... MARK09 infected me.

 

[mpoletti]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10414063#post10414063 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AJPACINO
ERRR.... MARK09 infected me.

:eek1: How dare you imply this nonsense.:thumbsup:

 

[AJPACINO]

the nonsense is the $$$ I spend on this hobby, or as you would say lifestyle,

 

[bayareaquarist]

Its hereditary for me...My father his father...I call it a syndrom...one only cured with massive amounts of time and money...both of which are in short supply~!

 

[KMP]

a buddy told me "you could have this to for $300." and he was right - minus the rock, fish, corals, and extra mods!