What drew you to SW aquariums

[Dearth]

How did you get into salt water aquarium keeping and how big was your first tank?

I got into it from my friend at work he showed me that it wasn't as scary as I first thought and found that it was affordable if somewhat demanding at first. I love my 33 gallon setup but seeing some of the bigger tanks I would love to upgrade one day as I love the corals and the quirks of the fish. Way more colourful and active than when I ran fresh water setups.

[The Grizz]

The fact that I can spend crap loads of money for next to nothing and my wife has no idea.

[mrhasan]

Finding nemo

[sphelps]

People told me not to do it

50 gallons was my first

[The Grizz]

All joking aside, my wife really wanted seahorses after we seen them at one of the big box store when we where there getting stuff for the Huskies. So I did a little research and found out there was no way I was ready to jump into seahorses right off the hop. I found a complete 65 gal set up for sale cheap and found out why it was cheap much later ( no sump ). But now a few yrs later here I am building a 300 gal 8'er with a 100 gal sump and a 60 gal cube attached for my wifes seahorses.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I grew up in Malaysia on Penang Island, so surrounded by the sea. So even though I moved to Canada while still young, I kept that love of the sea with me. Had my first seahorse when I was 12-13 when I could cycle to the LFS for a weekly bag of live brine shrimp. Had it for almost a year. By the time I was 16-17 I had a 33g with a large Volitan lionfish and a 110g (largest tank you could get back then) for my Moorish Idol, Smooth Horn Shark, Passer King Angel, & Snowflake Moray.

Didn't get into reefing (i.e. corals) until watching Finding Nemo. Most expensive movie ever.

[FishyFishy!]

I got into it by buying a 110 Gallon fully stocked FOWLR setup and a 50 Gallon Breeder full reef setup from a local guy that was moving. He gave me his water mixing station and everything that goes with it. I moved it all over and made the jump into satlwater! Twas a learning curve, but I did a crap load of research prior to taking the plunge, but it was well worth every cent.

Motivation:

Colors! Way more colors than freshwater.
Scuba diving reefs on holidays
Way cooler looking fish
I actually enjoy building and planning saltwater setups more than maintaining them.

[Ross]

Snorkeling in Maui is what drew me.
I set up my first marine tank a few days after getting back.

First tank was my in wall 9 gallon nano, upgraded to a 33, currently have a 67 and wanting a 180 or 230.

[jorjef]

I won a 40 gallon set up, tank. lights, stand and bottom drilled for a canister etc. as a door prize at a local fish auction and thought I would give salt a try...3 years later I don't really consider this "free" tank so free anymore.... Should have filled the damn thing with guppies!!!

[magikof7]

A close friend of the family had a big Saltwater tank when I was young. I think I was around 9 or so. (mid eighties) I spent the whole night sitting in front of that tank and was hooked.
I think it was a 90 gal. he didn't have it too long before he downsized to a smaller tank. It was so expensive and the mortality rate then was so high. He had Corals and Seahorses, fish.
I remember the Wonder I felt, I'll never forget it.
So after so many years of longing I got started 3 months ago with my 29 gal. I LOVE it. I don't think Ill ever be without one now. I love watching my kids see something move and run over to the tank to see what's going on. Even my teenage Daughter enjoys it. (just Mom gets all the work )