[stacef]

I discovered it when I was about 12. I babysat for 2 kids at the time. Their family just moved into a new house, and in the basement was a 125 g FOWLR built into the wall. Well, the parents had no idea how to take care of it. At the time, the tank looked amazing until it started dwindling when they weren't taking care of it. For the first month though. I was in amazement, watching the tank non stop. I had freshwaters from the time I was 7. My dad made me head board and footboards to my bed out of 2 75's. So have always had a love fish!

How did I get started? 2 words, Reef Builders.

The hardest part about getting started. Well--I have to say I put it off for about 3 years, people (without experience) that I listened to said it was so much harder than fresh. But when I did take the plunge, the hardest part was understanding the equipment needed. I would have to say, after you understand how a skimmer works, reason/how it works for a sump, what type of lighting you need, amount of lr/ls, and water movement. After all of that is grasped it seems "so easy". And intially it is, or for me it is once I understood it all.

Something I would have done different--at this point nothing. I did TONS of research and asked a TON of questions, got the books. And didnt rush it. But if I had to choose something to do different, I would have done it sooner!!

What have I learned from Reefbuilders? Hah! Everything!! Literally, the reason there is saltwater in my 20g right now, and why I am setting up a 220g with a diy sump (150g) is all because of everyone on here!!!