Christmas Gift?

[kidsRN]

Hi everyone. My husband has been wishful thinking about a salt water fish tank since I meet him 9 years ago. We are finally in our own home where we can have a fish tank! I want to surprise him with a salt water tank for Christmas. It doesn't need all the bells and whistles. My big question is about size... We live in a town house, its good size but not huge. I know his wants live coral and a few types of fish (the more colorful the better) I have seen very small almost starter kit looking tanks. Any recommendations about how to go about doing this. I know its close to christmas now, my husband is the type of guy who buys what he wants when he wants it so he is very hard to shop for.

Thank You

Oh we live in the Baltimore/Annapolis, MD area if you have any shops you recommend that would be great too!

Thanks So Much
Katie

 

[waterdrop]

Hi Katie,

I'm going to suggest you try a post over in the saltwater section (its the subforum called "Marine and Reef ChitChat") and see if you can find a beginner helper over there. This is a beginner section for Freshwater tropicals.

Tank size for beginners (regardless of fresh/salt) is the opposite of what you might think. It turns out that the smaller the tank, the more quickly the water chemistry can change and hurt the fish and of course its harder when you're a beginner to learn the signs of this to be looking for, so larger tanks are easier. This of course is a hassle for the home, since it means more space and of course its more expensive. Its true though that a whole little hobby has sprung up putting together "nano" tanks (smaller ones) and perhaps the people who do that can provide enough of a formula to help him be successful first time.

Its also true that marine/salt is a more difficult and expensive hobby and is often more ideally entered into by a hobbyist already experienced with keeping freshwater tanks. But if he's been dreaming of a salt tank for 9 years then this approach of learning on fresh would probably not be a good one. Perhaps you can get interested in the hobby too. Two heads are better than one for keeping up with all the details!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[kidsRN]

Thank You. I'll go to the other section and see what I can find. Thanks for the Info on big vs/ small tanks.

Yes two heads are better then one, I want to learn too. I just havent had the dream as long.

thanks again