[Charlie97L]

Yes, Wit, I agree, I'm not trying to offend nanos! I'm about to join the ranks, but I'm well aware of the work involved, and I'm enjoying the challenge of trying to make the nano as automated as possible... that's not to say i won't be fooling around with it a lot, I just like all the technical goodies.

I think another issue is that the nanos tend to draw in the younger hobbyists who's patience and attention spans may not be developed (at least initially, i know of several spectacular reefers that are teenagers in my local club) to the point this hobby requires. they just don't understand that it takes 3-4 weeks or longer before you can put fish in.

I akin nanos to a car phenomenon I witnessed a few years ago, which was (not to get too technical) adding a turbocharger to a motor that wasn't built to take it, without making the motor stronger first. You spend wayyy less money just throwing it on there, but when the motor dies, it often takes the turbo with it, then not only do you have to buy a new motor, but a new turbo as well, and now you're scared, so you beef it up too, you end up spending 3x what it would have cost to just beef up the motor initially.

I mean, not to be elistist, but reefing is an expensive hobby. It's misleading to say that you can get into even a nano cheaply... yet the companies do it. I like nanotuners.com because the offer nano "packages" and then you REALLY see how $$$ it can be to set up even a 12 gallon with all the extra equipment/mods needed to make it effective for reefing. I wanted a SW tank badly in college, but I just did FW to tide me over. It was cool, but not as cool as SW.

I'm glad when new reefers come here, and ask questions, and then actually listen to what the more experienced people have to say. I know the experienced people here have been a huge help to me so far.