TxSteve

Hi all -

I've been reading quite a bit here the last week or two. I've been very interested in getting a tank (haven't had a tank for ~30 years).

To be honest; much of the discussion here is over my head. There seems to be a fairly steep learning curve.

I'm really torn - the more I read about cycling; disease; quarantine tanks; live rock; testing - the more I feel like "yikes - this could be more than I'm able/willing to do".

So a few questions if you don't mind:

How much time (hours) per week are you spending on tank maintenance?

How much money do you think you spent on the front end getting a tank up and running with just a few moderately priced fish?

Is the learning curve really as steep as it currently seems to me? or is it all rather simple and I'm just feeling a bit overwhelmed since I'm brand new (opinion obv)


As far as buying tank and equipment - I haven't done anything yet. I've been cruising craigslist - and the sheer volume of tanks that go up every day make me think that TONS of people jump into this hobby - realize how detail oriented it is - and jump out of the hobby.

Another question - it seems that buying an existing set up that is up and running (and moving it or having it moved) would be the best option (better than starting from scratch) - agree?