laser or reef tank?

I am very bad at making decisions and sometimes I think I made up my mind but then the next hour I am thinking I want the other. I either want to put together a nice 2.5 gallon pico reef to put on my dresser or I want a jetlasers PL-C. There are many pros and cons to both I just cant make up my mind. Does anyone want to put forward a little input and the reason why I should choose that one.

Thanks

Well, hugely depends on what level of involvement is. Looking after a reef tank is obviously a lot more involved than a laser, as such, you'll probably get more fun out of it, in terms of modifying the layout etc.

I've personally always wanted a reef tank myself, for salt water fish (Already have a large tank freshwater), so probably a bit biased.

Well first get the tank fill it with fish. Then buy your lasers and have the fish chase the laser dots around the tank..well that's what I would do.

haha thanks, maybe ill go with the reef tank but just end up buying a cheaper quality laser or something

Haha Yeah, I know what you mean. I'm constantly coming up with new things that I'd like to get.

I love me some fish tanks. I've had several over the years, but I've never had a reef tank. Maybe someday. My brother-in-law has had a few. They're beautiful. They can get pretty pricy though depending on what features/fish you want. Now days, they have some very sophisticated setups where maintenance requirements are very small. Of course they cost a lot, but you get what you pay for I guess.

Good luck.

Reef tank is alot of effort, but certainly worth it. I have had loads of tanks over the years, but never a reef tank - which I have always wanted.

a Pico-Reef is a tough assignment though. You really need to have your marine know-how in place, even with the current systems in place. Small amount of water, changes happen MUCH faster. I had a 55gal saltwater tank that crashed over the course of 3 days, losing some pricey, -and even more importantly- very cool, entertaining fish. I had a Voltan Lion 6" long, a 7' panther grouper, a 20" snowflake eel, and a 5" Huma-Huma trigger, as well as some others... These guys were highly aggresive and carnivorous, and the eel and grouper were hand-feed-able.

ya want a cool fish? get an Archerfish, and do some target practice with it. They can extinguish a lit cigarette from 10' away...

Personally, I'd do both. Get a lesser laser - still fun, and you don't have to worry about calling aliens to invade earth, and a 10 gal. marine, and throw in some crabs and snails with some smaller herbivorous fish. You could do an anemone and clownfish if you test 2x daily.

As for size of tank, go as big as you can afford $/space. the bigger the tank, the slower the changes, and the more life you can enjoy in your tank.

enjoy both, not either.

I had a reef tank a few years back, they are more work than a ordinary saltwater fish aquarium but they are beutiful when set up. getting the chemistry right can be a pain. on the other hand a laser is a lot easier to deal with and less expensive. I vote for the laser.

I say go for the reef. Getting it all right and admiring it will provide more hours of entertainment than the laser.

The laser would be cheaper, since a 2.5 gallon reef tank is a lot of expense that keeps on costing money. I have a 70 gallon salt tank that I have had for 17 years and used to have a 20 gallon reef tank and it was a pain to deal with. After having it for 2 yrs I lost everything, that was the end of the reef tank. Unless you have salt water experience a reef tank is not the way to go. A 20 gallon tank is a lot easier to take care of than a 2.5, constant monitoring and water changes are a pain in the ass.

I have reef tanks in my house in the last 10 years and today its much easier to mantain this kind of aquarium. My husband is the one that build the reefs, its his hobby but I just love reef tanks. But my energy bill is HIGH... this one below is 6.5 feet long (2m) and has a total of 185 galons (+- 700 l) I love it and my kids love it too...







Cheers!

Just to let everyone know I went with the tank (nothing against lasers) But I think it was the right choice. It should be up and running by this weekend

Love reef tanks - one of the local bar's has a tank in there, and I often find myself gazing at it while visiting.

Should computer control it now - grab a micro of some description, rig up some solenoid valves, and have the fish fed daily, the salinty monitored and the temperature.

Reginak: I assume your kids will NEVER be allowed to have a bb gun. One stray pellet and I'd hate to think of the mess 700l of water would make!