new to reefing

[paul wh]

just thought i would say hi to every one on here and a quick intro i dont have a tank yet as im here to learn as much as i can then im going to be looking to get my tank at the end of march i have always had tropical fish and have just started my son harrison (9) on his way with his first tank like i said im going to be reading as many posts as i can and picking up as much info as i can before i take my first scary steps into the salt walk tank thanks paul

[Original Fin]

just thought i would say hi to every one on here and a quick intro i dont have a tank yet as im here to learn as much as i can then im going to be looking to get my tank at the end of march i have always had tropical fish and have just started my son harrison (9) on his way with his first tank like i said im going to be reading as many posts as i can and picking up as much info as i can before i take my first scary steps into the salt walk tank thanks paul

Welcome Paul!

I can't wait to do that with my kids once they get a bit older.

I just got into this last year too, and I had zero experience with any kind of fishkeeping. This site has saved me many times over from doing (or continuing to do) dumb things. Most of my assumptions turned out to be wrong, and pretty much all of the advice I got from my local fish stores was bad.

Reading all the sticky threads and articles will give you a good start. I also suggest purchasing a copy of the Conscientious Marine Aquarist, by Fenner. And any of the books by Borneman on the subject of corals and inverts.
Breaking into this and being succesful is not easy by any stretch, but it is fun!. Here's my standard getting started advice:

1. Make a loose plan of what fish, corals etc. you think you might like to keep, and how many.
2. Loose plan for max tank size based on your space limitations., and where you're going to keep it.
3. Loose plan for upfront equipment/supply budget. Just a number you're comfortable with.
4. Loose plan for monthly maintenance budget.
5. Loose plan for how much time you are able/willing to dedicate to your hobby.
6. Submit these general ideas on reef forums (Start a build thread) and ask for advice. Be prepared to get more questions back than answers. These will help with step 7.
7. Take all the things you hadn't though of and rework plans 1-5.
8. Resubmit to reef forums. Repeat step 6 & 7 until no more concerns are raised. You are now just getting into the ballpark.
9. Take all the reef forum suggestions and do your own research on those particular topics. Stickys, books, etc...This will give you some perspective as to which advice was solidly based, and which was just regurgitated half truths and take them for what they're worth.
10. Final draft plan with projected costs.
11. Spouse/significant other? Better get them on board now and have a what to expect talk.
11 & 1/2 Final Final draft plan with projected costs.
12. Make purchases and start a build thread. Update frequently with what you're planning to do before you do it. Give others a chance to redirect you before making any commitments and keep those training wheels on until you feel like you've got the hang of it.

Looking forward to watching you progress. BTW, we all love lots of pictures when you get to that point!

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

+1 on starting a build thread. Good place ask questions and track your progress.

[paul wh]

thank for all the help i am at the stage of choosing which tank i want and which tank my other half like even though she has said she wants nothing to do with it it still has to be the right one so far we have got two in mind the fluval osaka 320 or the fluval profile 1200 or 1000 so we are off to look at these two on sunday