Starting a tank as a senior in HS?

[Dani_13563]

Is this a bad idea? I'm a senior and really want to start a tank before I go to college. I don't care whether it's a 20g that takes up my whole dresser or if it's a 1g bowl on my nightstand. I just love corals and fish. I do online schooling, so I am home literally all day if that makes any difference. I have a couple hundred dollars I could spare for used equipment. I will be attending college for two semesters several states away and then returning to earn credits at the local community college, so I wouldn't be gone for too long.
What do ya'll think?

 

[jabberwock]

Is this a bad idea? I'm a senior and really want to start a tank before I go to college. I don't care whether it's a 20g that takes up my whole dresser or if it's a 1g bowl on my nightstand. I just love corals and fish. I do online schooling, so I am home literally all day if that makes any difference. I have a couple hundred dollars I could spare for used equipment. I will be attending college for two semesters several states away and then returning to earn credits at the local community college, so I wouldn't be gone for too long.
What do ya'll think?

If you have a trusted and committed caregiver for the time you will be away, then I don't see any reason why not. It is more than just dropping some food in the tank...

 

[exnisstech]

The only way I would consider one at this point in life would be if you can include a family member who would be willing to care for the tank while your away.

 

[Tamberav]

Is this a bad idea? I'm a senior and really want to start a tank before I go to college. I don't care whether it's a 20g that takes up my whole dresser or if it's a 1g bowl on my nightstand. I just love corals and fish. I do online schooling, so I am home literally all day if that makes any difference. I have a couple hundred dollars I could spare for used equipment. I will be attending college for two semesters several states away and then returning to earn credits at the local community college, so I wouldn't be gone for too long.
What do ya'll think?

Do you know if you will be in dorms or apartment? Are you taking it with you?

I had what was basically a 12g biocube in college. I kept simple soft corals and 3 nano fish. Shrimp goby, firefish, clownfish, and a cleaner shrimp.

I bought gallons of distilled water at Walmart and mixed my salt with that.

It was easy to maintain during college and it did move back with me to my parents in summer.

It’s totally doable but depends if you can bring it with you or have someone capable of caring for it while you are away.

I would keep it simple to fit with a busy college life. Soft corals and hardy fish, you don’t want to be tied to your tank.

 

[Dani_13563]

Do you know if you will be in dorms or apartment? Are you taking it with you?

I had what was basically a 12g biocube in college. I kept simple soft corals and 3 nano fish. Shrimp goby, firefish, clownfish, and a cleaner shrimp.

I bought gallons of distilled water at Walmart and mixed my salt with that.

It was easy to maintain during college and it did move back with me to my parents in summer.

It’s totally doable but depends if you can bring it with you or have someone capable of caring for it while you are away.

I would keep it simple to fit with a busy college life. Soft corals and hardy fish, you don’t want to be tied to your tank.

I will be staying in dorms and I haven't asked if I could take it with me, although since they don't allow mini fridges or microwaves in the dorm I doubt they'll allow a fish tank.

If you have a trusted and committed caregiver for the time you will be away, then I don't see any reason why not. It is more than just dropping some food in the tank...

The only way I would consider one at this point in life would be if you can include a family member who would be willing to care for the tank while your away.

I have a sister who's decently competent (I guess ) and willing. She'll definitely want something in return tho and, unfortunately, she's no longer young enough to bribe with dimes and nickels . But she'd be my first choice lol

Thank you, all, for the advice!

 

[Spare time]

I'd say wait. That is a very unpredictable time period in your life and reef tanks don't do well with unpredictability.

 

[jabberwock]

I'd say wait. That is a very unpredictable time period in your life and reef tanks don't do well with unpredictability.

I am pivoting to this advice.

 

[Austin14ktm]

Is this a bad idea? I'm a senior and really want to start a tank before I go to college. I don't care whether it's a 20g that takes up my whole dresser or if it's a 1g bowl on my nightstand. I just love corals and fish. I do online schooling, so I am home literally all day if that makes any difference. I have a couple hundred dollars I could spare for used equipment. I will be attending college for two semesters several states away and then returning to earn credits at the local community college, so I wouldn't be gone for too long.
What do ya'll think?

if you have the drive and are interested I think its a awsome idea it is a very rewarding hobby and easier than most will tell you my biggest pice of advice I can give you is to be punctual and to every thing on a schedule and you will have no problems!!! good luck bud happy reefing!!!!

 

[Tamberav]

I probably wouldn’t ask someone to take care of the tank the entire school year. Water changes and manual cleaning would get old fast if it’s not your tank or something you are into.

That being said, you could do it for a year until you leave. The school semester just started. Then rehome/sell everything if it comes to that. I’d probably buy live ocean rock though so you don’t waste part of the year waiting for the rock to establish and going through the “uglies”.

It’s possible your sister or someone may take interest and willingly want to care for it. Maybe trick her by letting her pick the fish lol

 

[Dani_13563]

It’s possible your sister or someone may take interest and willingly want to care for it. Maybe trick her by letting her pick the fish lol

I might go this route. I have presented the idea to my sister and she wants to pick out corals and maybe a fish. And she's wants $5 a week which isn't bad I guess

 

[Tamberav]

I might go this route. I have presented the idea to my sister and she wants to pick out corals and maybe a fish. And she's wants $5 a week which isn't bad I guess

I want to say its about $60-100 a visit normally so $5 is a steal

Still, she may get sick of the work, just be sure to rehome things before they begin to suffer if that is the case.

 

[Outlaw Corals]

First of all i have to say it’s really great to see young people getting into the hobby, you are the future of the hobby, the first and most important thing you need to know going into this great hobby is patience is an absolute must, that being said i really think it would be best that you wait to come back from collage and in the mean time you read as much as you can and do the research, start off learning about how to cycle your tank and what it’s all about, read and come back here to ask us questions, and you can start researching what equipment you might need along with getting yourself familiar on pricing how much all this equipment cost, I think a Evo 13.5 gallon would be perfect for you to start off with. It comes with all the equipment you really need to start off with and I think the price is right around your budget may be a little less. You can always feel free to reach out to me with any questions or anything I would be happy to help.

 

[Spare time]

Again, I strongly advise against this. I've done this with my family tank and it's not as easy as it sounds. I know you really want this tank, but its not the right time in your life to do it.

 

[Dani_13563]

First of all i have to say it’s really great to see young people getting into the hobby, you are the future of the hobby, the first and most important thing you need to know going into this great hobby is patience is an absolute must, that being said i really think it would be best that you wait to come back from collage and in the mean time you read as much as you can and do the research, start off learning about how to cycle your tank and what it’s all about, read and come back here to ask us questions, and you can start researching what equipment you might need along with getting yourself familiar on pricing how much all this equipment cost, I think a Evo 13.5 gallon would be perfect for you to start off with. It comes with all the equipment you really need to start off with and I think the price is right around your budget may be a little less. You can always feel free to reach out to me with any questions or anything I would be happy to help.

I have been researching all things aquarium since freshman year and have read all the stickies. My screen time is always 5+ hours of forums and articles (all reef related ). My mom is annoyed because I have a whole binder filled with handwritten notes on different fish and corals and their care requirements, and several pages of a pros and cons list of different AIO tanks/brands; and I ask every weekend to be taken to an LFS just to look. (The answer is always no lol). I am considering either a Reef Casa flat 6, Evo 13.5, or IM nuvo 20. This is something I am genuinely passionate about, and if ya'll all think that I would be more successful waiting until after college then I guess you probably know better haha. I've already waited 4 years. What's two more?

 

[Outlaw Corals]

I have been researching all things aquarium since freshman year and have read all the stickies. My screen time is always 5+ hours of forums and articles (all reef related ). My mom is annoyed because I have a whole binder filled with handwritten notes on different fish and corals and their care requirements, and several pages of a pros and cons list of different AIO tanks/brands; and I ask every weekend to be taken to an LFS just to look. (The answer is always no lol). I am considering either a Reef Casa flat 6, Evo 13.5, or IM nuvo 20. This is something I am genuinely passionate about, and if ya'll all think that I would be more successful waiting until after college then I guess you probably know better haha. I've already waited 4 years. What's two more?

That’s great that you are doing all the reading and research that you have been doing, when are you going away for the two semesters ? What I was trying to say is you should wait to you you come back from those two semesters

 

[Spare time]

I have been researching all things aquarium since freshman year and have read all the stickies. My screen time is always 5+ hours of forums and articles (all reef related ). My mom is annoyed because I have a whole binder filled with handwritten notes on different fish and corals and their care requirements, and several pages of a pros and cons list of different AIO tanks/brands; and I ask every weekend to be taken to an LFS just to look. (The answer is always no lol). I am considering either a Reef Casa flat 6, Evo 13.5, or IM nuvo 20. This is something I am genuinely passionate about, and if ya'll all think that I would be more successful waiting until after college then I guess you probably know better haha. I've already waited 4 years. What's two more?

You can always see if there is an lfs hiring part time wherever you go to school

 

[Dan_P]

Is this a bad idea? I'm a senior and really want to start a tank before I go to college. I don't care whether it's a 20g that takes up my whole dresser or if it's a 1g bowl on my nightstand. I just love corals and fish. I do online schooling, so I am home literally all day if that makes any difference. I have a couple hundred dollars I could spare for used equipment. I will be attending college for two semesters several states away and then returning to earn credits at the local community college, so I wouldn't be gone for too long.
What do ya'll think?

Focus on school. Skip the aquarium, save the money.

 

[PharmrJohn]

+500 on doing your research. Great job young man. I see, all too often, those who get into this hobby with little to no knowledge. When it's time, you're going to be well armed and your chances of success will be greatly improved. I know it's tough, but your life is in Flux right now. Just wait it out and, when you have more stability, living situation wise, you'll rock this.

 

[Dani_13563]

That’s great that you are doing all the reading and research that you have been doing, when are you going away for the two semesters ? What I was trying to say is you should wait to you you come back from those two semesters

I will start Fall 2025 and finish Spring 2026

 

[Dani_13563]

+500 on doing your research. Great job young man. I see, all too often, those who get into this hobby with little to no knowledge. When it's time, you're going to be well armed and your chances of success will be greatly improved. I know it's tough, but your life is in Flux right now. Just wait it out and, when you have more stability, living situation wise, you'll rock this.

I am actually a young lady, but thank you!! I guess my comment about my sister sounded very brotherly . I wouldn't trust my brother to babysit a pet rock.