Hi....just signed up here. I'm just about winding up my first year in saltwater and thought I'd jump into the discussion with some of my relatively new experience.
I want to say that I officially entered this hobby in Feb 2007. Although that is true, my tank didn't start up until May 2007. Trying to satisfy an itch I had for many years to get into this hobby, I began by going to my
LFS 2 blocks away....to look around and ask questions. I got some decent advice there and was also given some contact info for the local reef club. I eventually got hooked up with a guy who became somewhat of a mentor. It's much easier, for me anyway, to deal with someone in 'real time'.
I stumbled upon a post that recommended some books....starter books. It looked like there were several of front runners in this category and I narrowed down my choice to 2. I ended up buying The New Marine Aquarium by Michael Paletta. I figured heck, $14.95 to find out if I really wanted any parts of this hobby or not.
I must say that this is probably one of the best choices I made in this hobby. It consolidated and brought into focus the answers to a huge number of questions I had. Previous to that I was getting decent information (for the most part) but it was like a 1000 piece puzzle coming from all directions. When I'm new at something, I need to see things in outline form to make any sense out of it. That's just me.
So upon reading this book, I was able to make at least a sketchy decision whether I wanted to immerse myself into this expensive and rewarding hobby. As the book did not get into great detail, it did outline the basics of setting up a tank and in similar detail the type of fish choices to make.
Somewhere along the way I was given a suggestion to go to as many local fish stores as I could....to look around and ask questions. From the mom and pop stores to the giants....yes Petco and others. It was during this process that I had a grand realization that I was heading into a world that was going to REQUIRE me to understand the basics of this hobby. If you decide to do this, it won't be long till you realize its significance.
I'm not saying this to come off as a know-it-all. With a 7 month old tank I've barely scratched the surface. But I have realized the importance of knowledge in this hobby. I have realized the payoff when making informed decisions and not acting on impulse. I have made a bunch of mistakes...short and long term. Learn as much as you can before the first drop of water goes into the tank.
The podcasts that this site has to offer are great. I was told about this a few months ago and I only wish I would have gotten here earlier. These guys have opened up a whole new world in sharing info about this hobby. Keep 'em comin'.
