i want to get an aquarium but i cant decide between fresh and salt water.?

Question

is it alot more difficult or more expensive to start or maintain a saltwater aquarium vs a freshwater one? what are the pros or cons with fresh vs saltwater? please help thanks

Answer 1

Because of the expense of starting a salt water tank, I would suggest you start with a large freshwater tank, for two years while you learn the ins and outs of fish keeping. When you are ready, take the fish back to the pet store for credit towards a saltwater tank. You can then update the tank that you already bought and save some expense. A salt water tank is no more work the a freshwater (unless you have corals), but because of the expense, a mistake can cost you a couple of hundred dollars in fish overnight.
A

Answer 2

Saltwater tanks are generally only something to be tackled by the experienced tank keeper. Saltwater fish are prettier and it's neat having a 'piece of the ocean' in your living room...HOWEVER, Saltwater tanks require more filtration, more chemicals, and more equipment in general (such as a protein skimmer). They're expensive to start up (reef and coral pieces are HELLA expensive)...the fish are expensive and fragile. The slightest mistake will result in a complete tank break-down where you'll have to start all over (and possibly have to buy more fish).

A large freshwater tank is far less expensive to get initially and maintain. There are many colorful freshwater fish species that are generally hardier than saltwater fish---cichlids are especially colorful and VERY entertaining to watch. A large freshwater tank is also more forgiving---a mistake in measuring chemicals is less likely to kill off your entire tank and make you have to start over.

To offer some personal insight into the matter...my mother (an experienced tank owner) got a saltwater tank at the same time I got a freshwater one---6 months later, she experienced a full tank break-down---she lost all of her fish and her reef pieces. My tank has been going strong (and only 1 fish has been lost) for the past 5 years.

Answer 3

I don't know your age or experience level, but I would personally recommend a freshwater tank.
Of particular interest are live-bearers, such as mollies, swordtails, platys, and guppies. To see them give birth to tiny babies is great! A saltwater tank is more expensive to set up and if you are inexperienced can lead to disastrous results ( ie dead expensive fish). I have a couple of fresh tanks and love them. I also have a 8000 gallon pond in my side yard with different varieties of gold fish. After initial setup it is fairly inexpensive to maintain a healthy aquarium. If you are truly interested in a saltwater tank, your best bet would be to speak with someone at a reputable pet store that specializes in fish. Good luck.

Answer 4

I have kept both and now have a FW tank. My wife is convinced that she wants a SW tank so it appears a nano-cube is near. I would not tell you to not try salt and I'll assume that you can afford both if you're asking. I prefer fresh and there is no question that FW isn't as involved, but to do it properly you will be testing water and cleaning and maintaining both. FW is not care-free. When I decided to start my new tank I made the decision based on the type of fish I wanted. I wanted to keep unusual plecos, so I went fresh. My wife wants inverts and a clown fish so she's going salt.

Answer 5

the answer to this question depends on the reason why you want to start a new tank up in the first place. If you just want something to start that is low maintenance and inexpensive, I would recommend a freshwater tank. But if you are looking for a new hobby that you can devote alot of time and money into, I would recommend a saltwater tank.

Answer 6

I have both, fresh and salt, salt water is very expensive in every aspect. live rocks usually $8.00 per lb, they get sick very easy, and expensive to cure, your lighting alone for a 35 gal. probably cost about $250.00, not to mention the filtration system. Fish alone are $25.00 and up. And the salt corrosion and leakage is incredible. You are probably looking at $2000.00. I say try fresh water fish first at least a 35 gal. the more water the easier it is to keep..as for a really cool scale less fish look at a Clown Knife, you can feed him live or dried food. Your lighting is not expensive maybe $50.00 sand for the bottom, $35.00 for the filter., and the best part is you can always change to salt later on.

Answer 7

salt water tanks are usually much bigger, more expensive, the fish are more expensive, and overall harder to keep and maintain. but they look better than the freshwater fish, but if u want a fish that looks good, and isnt nearly as hard to maintain u should reaseard chiclids, they also do afew intresting things once in a while

Answer 8

Go to "About.com" and follow their links to setting up and maintaining fresh and salt water aquariums. There is a lot of great info on their site. Plus, they have a newsletter that comes by email periodically that is very good.

Answer 9

I would start a fresh water one. Salt water is way too hard to take care of. Many times the salt water fish will die,and I'm sure you don't want to waste your money.

Answer 10

Go fresh water all the way. Less expensive, easier to manage and just as pretty as salt water.
Saltwater is expensive (they need a whole lot of electricity as well as buying the supplies), hard to manage (even for experts), and the fish die at the drop of a hat.
But that's just me.