How much time do you spend on your tank?

[Big_Pun]

your system has to be setup for yourself and only time will let you know what you need to do. so if you really like this hobby you will figure it out after a while but usually it gets better over time

[Regric25]

+1 alot of ppl rush into it and get ovewelmed and dont know about MAAST so they have no one to turn to for advice.

I have a 100g tank and at first it was alot of work while i was setting it up. now that it is all set up and running for about 5 months or so it is pretty easy. I have a simple setup though. I dont even have a skimmer

water change every 2 weeks 15 mins
ATO bucket refill 1x a week 5 mins
feeding every other day 5 mins
fish count and over all look over each time I enjoy the tank many hrs a day lol

[ErikH]

You would need to automate your lights, auto top off (HUGE HELP), and your dosing regimen. You will need to keep a daily log of how much CA and Alk your tank uses daily before automating that. Often times in the beginning, you won't even need to dose, water changes will take care of that.

[tebstan]

It's been interesting to see everyone's response. I'm glad to see so many people mentioned the difference between required time and desired time.
I spend 1-3 hours on my tank a day. Because I want to. I stare at it, feed it, sometimes talk to the inhabitants.

In reality, I only need to spend 5 minutes a day to feed and top off, and 20 minutes on a weekend to change water.

A big difference in the time you spend is the kind of tank you set up. If you have seahorses or non photosynthetic corals or something else that is considered difficult, you'll have much more time committed to it daily. But if you have a lightly stocked FOWLR or a mostly automated system it might take hardly any of your time.

[Roo&Lis]

Definitely agree with automation. It's pricey to do it in the beginning but it totally worth it.

[DarkHorseMBA]

I'm sure I'll figure this out, but what will I be dosing?
This may not apply here, but I pretty much run my planted FW tank without chemicals. Just dechlorinated water, and food.

[RayAllen]

You do not have to dose anything. Its all a matter of choice...

[Europhyllia]

Hm. I don't really agree with that. When I had clams they had a fantastic growth rate but with that they also depleted my calcium at a fantastic rate.
Just test your levels and dose if you find that depletion is faster than water changes can replace.

[Reefer4ever]

This is all very good information. Lots of knowledgeable people on MAAST to help out all the beginner saltwater enthusiasts.

[Big_Pun]

a lot of old salties here lol!!!