[sarha]

how long has everyone been in the hobbie. me going on five years this year, five years of heartache and turmoil but have loved every minute!

[msbdiving]

Saw the title and thought someone had all the answers. I see now I was duped. I have been at this for just about a year. Wow. Talk about not even knowing what I don't know. This is definately a lifestyle not just a hobby. I prefer to glean my info off of other people on the internet than buy books about it. Seems much more real time and what works than just theory.

[Coma]

I've been into the hobby of fishkeeping for a little over a year, now... but I haven't taken the plunge into saltwater, yet. I want to hang out here, absorbing as much as I can so that when I finally do, i'll have a vague idea of what i'm doing.

After being on this site for a little over a week, now... and having spent a lot of hours just reading about reeftanks, I can honestly say, I am nothing but confused.

[ACE]

I have been in the hobby sens the beginning of this year but I have been studding for this hobby for 6 months before I got into it.
I think the best place for information is on reef-builders!!!

[Taras1]

I've been in the hobby for about 3 years. Reading is good, listening is better (like here on reef builders), but doing is the best. You learn best from your mistakes.

[mtfabel]

I've been keeping saltwater for such a long time i stopped keeping track. Nah Im just kidding. I've been in the hobby for about 7 years or so.

[map95003]

For as far back as I could remember I've always had a freshwater tank, I'm now 31 and I had a 55g saltwater setup about ~6 years ago (fish and LR), it was running great for a few years but then I moved out of state and had to take it down. I'm now trying to get back into it...lots have changes, but it's a great hobby that requires lots of patience and money! This site is great, you guys are a wealth of info.

[chappy]

been in it for a decade now
only advice im sure of is have patience
buy small frags let them grow they end up healthier in the end
and do small weekly water changes (its easier on the back and the tank will luv it)

[Ladydi919]

Been involved in reef tank for 1.5 years.....luv it. Personally, don't feel anyone can ever know everything. We are all learning new things everyday, it is an ever changing hobby.

[glampka]

Been keeping saltwater fish since the early 80s. Started a reef after reading the articles way back when in FAMA about the wet/dry filters in use in Europe. The pictures they had threw me over the edge.

[teajay33]

i have been in the hobby since 1994, but i took about 6-7 years off, just starting back again. some of its coming back to me, some of its new. we didnt have all the lighting choices as we do today back then. plus little did i know, i stacked my tank full of live rock back then, and had no idea that was why my water always came out so good in the testing. oh well who knows, if i had kept at it, it'd been known as the TJ method hahaha

[christopher annear]

ive been in the hobby for a year but started 15 years ago with fresh water reef builders has been alot of help and their is always about six ansers to one problem. its a great hobby with somthing new every time .

[mattpenn]

ive been on and off about 8 years and still dont know half of what i should maybe to many kids?

[mestupidcat]

Haha.. My own tank has been running for maybe 3 weeks (so far, so good). I've been watching my husband and his 55 gallon SW for maybe 3-4 months (maybe longer)?

The best books I've read on saltwater setup have been in the library's juvenile section. I followed its instructions and am happy with the results. Also, forums (like RB) have been a BIG help. Another good site that I read from time to time is Wetwebmedia, Aquarium, Pond, Marine and Freshwater Fish, reef tanks, and Aquatics Information
(has loads of professional information on anything aquarium-related).

You've been a reefer for 5 years? Man, you should be a pro by now; or at least feel more comfortable with your knowledge than a newbie who's been at this for 6 months.. But you gotta think- everyone has different kinds of reef knowledge: book smarts, common sense/experience.. So.. with all our knowledge combined.. we're all gonna do great! Just give your advice where its been tried-and-true. I bet you've experienced A LOT since you've been into SW, and you can help others with that XP and knowledge.. YOU should be a know-it-all!

[sarha]

i wish i were a know it all here in western south dakota in a town of 600 people i've relied alot on books and being computer illitate untill recentaly learning the hard way seemed to be the only way for some time now till i found this site books are fine and all but there no comparison to someone's expriance this site has been awesome for that reason!

[RyanG]

I don't know anything, im always learning!

[mestupidcat]

Oh, another good read was Ryan's Saltwater Beginner's Guide. I printed that out and use those water guidelines when testing my tank's water. It was good about telling you what you needed for your tank to make a great home for your fish.

[chuck rayburn]

i've had fish only for about 30 years. however im now going to be a reefer so in many respects im starting all over again. i ask alot of ?s. im going to be patient with my reef tank. any suggestions anyone has i read.


thanxs,
chuck

[sarha]

the book, aqurium corals, by eric h borneman is an awesome one and i recomend it be on everyone's shoping list.

[Krazy]

reef invertabrates by anthony calfo is another good one

[WILLIAM1]

This is my first year into saltwater tanks. Been doing fresh water all my life. Always wanted a salt water but could not afford it! But now I just cant stop.

[Fishhead Junkie]

i started out in the early 90's with freshwater, my dad bought me an acrylic hexagon tank which i kept as a freshwater tank for a while, then moved to saltwater, didnt have a clue about what i was doing although my porcupine puffer fish got huge and was awesome. eventually lost interest and gave it to my dad and moved out. now, 10 years later, i started back up on saltwater, i have rushed my tank a bit, but my 29gallon bio-cube is looking good, from the maroon clownfish to the psychedelic mandarin, they all are quite beautiful. i never ventured into the corals back then, but i guess i didnt know what i was missing...now i cant imagine not having corals in a saltwater tank...they are just as important as the fish in my opinion. i just need to figure out my digital camera more so i can take better pictures...right now the pictures dont do it justice.

steve

[jimw369]

Nevr had a tank before 3 mos ago. Now I have had 3! 1- 12gal fw and a 72 gal bow that I bought off ebay and then sold cause I wanted a bigger one. Now I sit here watching 160 lbs of live rock while my tank cycles. I spend 3-4 hours Everyday! Reading,searching the internet, visiting all the lfs and have joined 2 forums this one being by far the best. Some days I spend all day with the saltwater thing. Its really been a crash course sort of thing.
I am very fortunate to have some time to devote to this hobby as it already seems to be very satisfying and I dont have anything in my tank! Good Luck!