Just come to terms with it Jim, the sooner the better you are an addict like the rest of us. Don't think that research is gonna save you money either. time and aggravation and worry yes, the money pit is neverending in this hobby. We do it and spend the last of our disposable(and nondisposable ) incomes on our beloved reefs; telling our loved ones and convincing even ourselves just this last 5 stage RO/DI with flsuh valve and in-line TDS meter, or wow, look at that Euroreef skimmer on sale for $350 that's supposed to be the best, etc. I promise it's the LAST thing I'll get honey... til next month when you want those dual 250 MH lamps so you can get a tridacnid clam down the road, and so on and so forth----you love it, we all love it, just strap yourself in and enjoy the ride
