Your First Time..

[Deleted]

Were any of you successful your first time with saltwater? By successful I mean minimal issues, mostly proper equipment, a cyano breakout that looks more like a red carpet event, and who did not have to tare down your tank or have it crash to oblivion. I know I failed pretty bad the first time out (and still have much to learn). But I have yet to know anyone who was successful their first go at it. I know they say research, research, and research, but I almost feel like the unforgiving nature of saltwater on beginners is the ultimate rite of passage for us in the hobby. Please feel free to share your first time lol (dry humour attempt). 

P.S. To those who were successful your first time out, I salute you!

[Deleted]

My first foray into SW was spur of the moment, low cost and easy. Not the recommended method to start any tank. Just used my knowledge from FW along with a few basic tips about SW and in I went. Never had a tank crash or any major issue. I think there's an unhealthy mystique surrounding the marine side of the hobby, often propagated that to keep SW is to be a superior or an elite hobbyist - both of which are false. As I outlined a few nights ago to a few hobbyists from this forum, you can easily have a SW up and running in no time at all, if you're looking to get started on a low budget. It's really not that mysterious and not as challenging as some make it out to be.  Maybe I'll setup a 10G with some DIY stuff later on to show just how easily it can be done.
 You'd be surprised what you can do with a 10G tank with an incandescent fixture!

My only advice is to not rush anything... I feel this also applies to FW as well but a bit more so with the salty side of the hobby. Not fun to make mistakes and lose a tank worth of corals or fishes... not at the costs we find in this country.

[seggsy]

I tried a 20G, no skimmer, crap lights, crap rock, no coral. Was basically a fresh water with a bit of salt....got rid of THAT in a hurry.
First real tank was a 55g that I traded a cichlid set up for. That went pretty well. Lessons learned:
- hydrometers can lie, get a refractometer
- treated tap water will likely let phosphates, etc, build up over time
- get decent bulbs and replace them often
- have good circulation
- I prefer drilled with equipment in the sump

Sold that for the funds for my current set up - a little bigger, better stand, sump, better lights, better skimmer, life is good