Ichthoyophobia...

...the fear of fish. Just one of the many phobias I have.

So WHY did I just buy a 46 gallon bow front fish tank??! Because I love LOOKING at fish, just not touching or swimming with the creatures. My brother and Dad used to tease me while in the lake 'Look there's a FISH!' and I'd be screaming and hyperventilating and about to cry. HIL-AR-IOUS... Hence the reason why it takes A LOT of convincing to get me in any river, lake or ocean and why I dont do water sports. Swimming pools are good enough for me!

Maybe this will be therapy? We'll see.

So yeah, we bought a tank intended for Salt Water fish & a mini reef. Ya, ya, ya, its expensive, we've been told. However, I must say that everyone who says this, does NOT have a salt water tank, nor any experience with them. We researched fish and tanks for a bit and although a salt water tank set up is more expensive off the bat - they are EASIER to upkeep than a fresh water tank. Not to mention, to properly keep a tank whether its salt water or fresh water you must check the water frequently. Ya know how ya had a tank as a kid and you just put whatever in it and things would eat each other or just die. Probably because you never researched it. Not all fish are compatible for various reasons and each one has special needs. So really, there isn't much of a difference in a fresh water tank and a salt water, other than water and species. A lot of the maintenance is the same - and might I add, fresh water tends to be more expensive on a month to month basis. Unless you are buying the full grown $160 tropical salt water fish - which we don't plan on doing. Also, did you know that the bigger the tank, the easier it is? Yup. True story. For both fresh & salt water. They (meaning the internet and experts consulted) all recommend that you start with nothing smaller than a 30 gallon, but nothing bigger than 55 gallons. But a smaller thank is less to clean.... NOPE. Myth. The bigger the tank the better because the levels of all the chemicals in the tank will be more stable in a larger tank. In a small tank it doesn't take much for levels to spike, killing your fish. Who woulda thunk?

We're pretty excited. The tank should arrive on Thursday and we can start the process! Although we probably wont be adding and 'livestock' for at least a month. You have to let the tank cycle before you can add anything, and you can only add one thing at a time, every few weeks. That goes for any tank, another big mistake rookies do, add all 10 fish at once!

I cant wait to meet my Nemo. Issac is going to LOVE IT!!! So will we!! It will be like National Geographic in my family room! They are so amazing to sit and watch! You'll be more than welcome to come over to watch!