New to the hobbie and need help

[Nitrx11]

I am fixen to go off to college and want to get a aquarium, but i need help if uhave any input on what i should do or get plz help. I just want to start off with something small while in college so i can get ready for the bigger and better things. Thank you

[art_of_war]

how about 80 gallons. B/c you're not going to learn with a 10 gallon tank...especially if you're new to the hobby.

[kgeorge]

Lol, how about just buying some corals and puttin 'em in my tank and watchin them grow? How bout that?

[SouthBayPhoto]

If he's living in the dorms, I don't think he'll be able to fit an 80g tank in there. I understand the point of more water equals less problems (at least sudden problems anyway), but something tells me he won't be able to put an 80 in a dorm room. Especially with a room mate. Then again, he could kick the room mate out. LOL

Maybe like a 29? That might be small enough to learn on, yet big enough to enjoy and learn stuff.

Just a thought.

[Samper]

Actually a smaller tank is a great way to really learn. I started with a 20 gallon and it really helped me to stay on top of the important things so to speak. I look at it like starting and learning with an acoustic guitar. Once you master that you can play any guitar. A ten gallon is pushing it though for a starter...you're extremely limited to what you can keep. Nitrx11 I would advise you to really stick around and read as much as you can here before rushing out and making any purchases. Where in Ar are you headed to school?

[Nitrx11]

Samper i am Kyle's nephew. and it is Williams Baptist college.

[Samper]

Oh great. I'm glad you decided to make it here. Listen if you ever need anything give me a call. Kyle has my number.

[Nitrx11]

Thanks man

[kgeorge]

He's caught the fever lookin at my tank... Just wait till he see's some others is what I tell him! Anyway, I wish you would listen to us and read more and not jump right in it... It is a way to learn but on a college budget, you can't afford a lot of mess-ups. That's why you need to read, Ask lots of questions ( I know you're already doin that with me but other people on here as I have instructed you to do ) It will save time and money in the long run....

[Samper]

Yeah don't rush into this blindly.

[SouthBayPhoto]

I would definitely agree with Kgeorge & Samper...don't rush into it and soak in as much info here as you possibly can. This is an INVALUABLE resource! I totally wish I would have found this place before I started my 46 bow front. I would have done a TON of things differently. Good thing though that I found this great place prior to setting up my 90, so I can do it right.

It's a lot of reading, but I can almost guarantee ya this...it'll be a heck of a lot more fun/interesting to read this material than some of your freshman college course books! ;)

[Nitrx11]

Yeah i am gonna research it and im not starting to get stuff till atleast end of May. that is all im gonna do is research so i know what all to do. Plus i gotta wait till i get my graduation money ;)

[Samper]

Have Kyle bring you by sometime. We found a house the other day and will be moving at the end of this month. I could use the extra hands to help move the aquarium and at some point you will want some corals so if you're interested come on out.

[kgeorge]

Give me a heads up when it will be.... Britt needs to get some things at the mall sometime soon and I don't want to go so i'll be down with some free time to help.

[Nitrx11]

Sure i will. thanks samper! thats if kyle will bring me lol

[art_of_war]

aren't there computer programs out there that simulate the actual care of a marine aquarium w/o the having to actually do any work? B/c maybe it's just me but these things can get old quick. It may be more fun to just read, surf and reserach the internet on the subject, creatures/corals whatever and envy other peoples rather than having one that may suffer from neglect during the winter and summer and spring vacations.

[Samper]

That is a good point....will you be moving out of the dorms during these times? A nano would definately need to be cared for on a daily basis.

[Samper]

It'll be the very end of the month guys but I'll keep you posted. If you have a day towards the end I'll work around your schedules.