Simply overwhelmed

jim48 · 03/08/2007, 12:26 PM

Most of you newbies out there probably feel the same way. Although I have kept all kinds of freshwater species, from timid and deliquet Discus to aggressive South American cichlids, owned and operated a fish store, where I sold basically starter and hardy marine fish and all kinds of freshwater fish, I am perplexed as to what type of marine tank I would like to keep.

I have had marine fish only tanks is the past and had success keeping triggers and some of the more basic and hardy species, but now I am having a heck of a time deciding which species of marine fish I want.

I'm anxious and looking forward to trying something daring and complicated, but I don't want to throw a whole lot of money away either. I believe I will have to start slowly like I know I should and progress to something more challenging in the future. It's just so hard to do. It seems like every time I go looking at marine fish in a store, I find a different fish I would like to keep.

I can see this marine hobby is going to consume me in one way or another. Oh well, I guess its just the nature of the beast. Thanks for listening and good luck, I know I'm going to need it!

papagimp · 03/08/2007, 12:33 PM

Don't fret, you are defintaly not the only one on reefcentral who feels the same way. In fact, I bet a pole would show the majority of reefers feel the exact same way, lol.

I'll recommend a fish for ya. Not overly challanging at all, but a nice "beginner" specimen in my opinion. Especially for those interested in more than just staring at their tanks. Look into the Bangaii Cardinalfish. Very beautiful fish, graceful and peaceful. Very reef safe. And to add to there charm, they are one of the easiest of marine fish to breed. Even if you aren't interested in breeding fish, baby bangaii's make a nice snack to quick a few other fish and corals.

jim48 · 03/08/2007, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by papagimp
Don't fret, you are defintaly not the only one on reefcentral who feels the same way. In fact, I bet a pole would show the majority of reefers feel the exact same way, lol.

I'll recommend a fish for ya. Not overly challanging at all, but a nice "beginner" specimen in my opinion. Especially for those interested in more than just staring at their tanks. Look into the Bangaii Cardinalfish. Very beautiful fish, graceful and peaceful. Very reef safe. And to add to there charm, they are one of the easiest of marine fish to breed. Even if you aren't interested in breeding fish, baby bangaii's make a nice snack to quick a few other fish and corals.

Yeah, I know. I had Bangaii and Pajama cardinalfish in my store for sale. They are both stunning!

papagimp · 03/08/2007, 12:45 PM

I like em both, but the bangaii's are easier to raise in my opinion, and since I do raise them, that's what I recommend to people

fwiw, bangaii's come from a very small geographical location and in small numbers. Very suceptable to over collection practices, please find tank raised or bred specimens if possible. The fair much much better in the long run.

Or just get an extremely large tank and get all the fish you want!!! yeah!!!

wizzbane15 · 03/08/2007, 12:51 PM

keeping a reef tank border on the line between hobby and addiction. Evrybody feels overwhelmed at some point, whether they are a nube or expert. Have a rough plan on what you would like to get to and base your fish needs from that. To many people buy things and then have the things be the limiting factor on what their tank can become.

jim48 · 03/08/2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wizzbane15
keeping a reef tank border on the line between hobby and addiction. Evrybody feels overwhelmed at some point, whether they are a nube or expert. Have a rough plan on what you would like to get to and base your fish needs from that. To many people buy things and then have the things be the limiting factor on what their tank can become.

Thanks, thats what I trying to do. Its just so hard to determine what you want years in advance. I'll probably end up with several marine tanks. I started out freshwater the same way!! I just change my mind to often!!

I'm in the process of setting my 120gal in the wall in my basement floor and I'm already wondering how big of a tank I can put in another wall on the other side of the room. I'll end up with a den/fish room where I can sit and be entertained for hours.

03/08/2007, 12:26 PM	#1
jim48 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Williamstown, Pa. Posts: 293	Simply overwhelmed Most of you newbies out there probably feel the same way. Although I have kept all kinds of freshwater species, from timid and deliquet Discus to aggressive South American cichlids, owned and operated a fish store, where I sold basically starter and hardy marine fish and all kinds of freshwater fish, I am perplexed as to what type of marine tank I would like to keep. I have had marine fish only tanks is the past and had success keeping triggers and some of the more basic and hardy species, but now I am having a heck of a time deciding which species of marine fish I want. I'm anxious and looking forward to trying something daring and complicated, but I don't want to throw a whole lot of money away either. I believe I will have to start slowly like I know I should and progress to something more challenging in the future. It's just so hard to do. It seems like every time I go looking at marine fish in a store, I find a different fish I would like to keep. I can see this marine hobby is going to consume me in one way or another. Oh well, I guess its just the nature of the beast. Thanks for listening and good luck, I know I'm going to need it!

03/08/2007, 12:33 PM	#2
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	Don't fret, you are defintaly not the only one on reefcentral who feels the same way. In fact, I bet a pole would show the majority of reefers feel the exact same way, lol. I'll recommend a fish for ya. Not overly challanging at all, but a nice "beginner" specimen in my opinion. Especially for those interested in more than just staring at their tanks. Look into the Bangaii Cardinalfish. Very beautiful fish, graceful and peaceful. Very reef safe. And to add to there charm, they are one of the easiest of marine fish to breed. Even if you aren't interested in breeding fish, baby bangaii's make a nice snack to quick a few other fish and corals. __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

03/08/2007, 12:45 PM	#4
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	I like em both, but the bangaii's are easier to raise in my opinion, and since I do raise them, that's what I recommend to people fwiw, bangaii's come from a very small geographical location and in small numbers. Very suceptable to over collection practices, please find tank raised or bred specimens if possible. The fair much much better in the long run. Or just get an extremely large tank and get all the fish you want!!! yeah!!! __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

03/08/2007, 12:51 PM	#5
wizzbane15 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Chicago SW suburb Posts: 283	keeping a reef tank border on the line between hobby and addiction. Evrybody feels overwhelmed at some point, whether they are a nube or expert. Have a rough plan on what you would like to get to and base your fish needs from that. To many people buy things and then have the things be the limiting factor on what their tank can become. __________________ ...ancient Chinese Proverb: keeping big fishtank is not hobby, but addiction. 125gal AG, dual overflows; ReefKeeper Elite Controlled [currently have 7 modules on-line] Custom built 48" x 16" x 16 Current Tank Info: 125g mixed reef