There are good reasons I haven’t started my saltwater aquarium yet. I’ve read quite a bit about them, and I have come to the conclusion that it’s just not a good idea for me at this time. It’s prohibitively expensive (I’ve spent $500 on books alone – I figure it will cost about $5,000 to set up a 55 gallon tank, and many enthusiasts say this is the bare minimum size). It’s a simulated ecosystem that depends heavily on electricity to survive – I would need metal halide lighting, a heater, a chiller (either that or I’d need to invest in air conditioning for my apartment), and a pump. I would be wise to invest in a generator, because without electricity, the system will die within a day or two.

I think I would be wise to wait until I’m in a different environment – something more permanent, and something where I have more control over temperatures. And something that isn’t on the 3rd floor…just in case.