Fresh water fish OR Salt water fish?

Question

I have have a 30 Gallon set up of Fresh Water Fish, but recently my fish started dying so i went to my local pet store (PET SMART) and took a sample of my water and the guy told me that i had a high level of Nitrite or Nitrate and thats why my fish are dying.

So I wanted to know if saltwater fish are less complicated to take care of?

Answer 1

Actually... Anyone with years of experience will tell you a salt water tank is EASIER to care for once the water is established. If you get a good biochemistry going in your water before you add any expensive saltwater fish, you're sure to have success. Satlwater fish don't get sick as easily as freshwater and they're not as easy to kill if you keep your biosystem balanced. A good way to establish a biosystem in your water is set up all the right filtration for a saltwater setup (always over filter, if you have a 30 gallon then get a filtration system/pump that is made for 60-100 gallons) get your salt and water ratio balanced (I'd suggest reading a book about it. There's too many websites with inaccurate information) and once you've had all that established and running for a week, put a couple of Mollies in the tank. Yes, they're naturally freshwater fish but they can live in both saltwater and freshwater quite easily. They're cheap, hardy fish that can help you establish good bacteria in your tank. Once the first set of Mollies die and they will, get another set of Mollies and add them to the tank. Those will last. After about a month, you're ready to add your saltwater fish. Do it very gradually, one fish about once a month. Saltwater fish are easily stressed so you don't want to buy thousands of dollars worth of fish all at once and have them die in a week because they had too much of a dramatic change to their environment. Also, STOP BUYING FISH AT PETSMART! All of those fish are already half-dead and ready for the toilet. Find a good fish breeder who specialize in NOTHING but fish. Those are going to be the fish that live their full life span. And water changes... People change their water entirely too much and this is a great way to kill your fish. A 25% water change is entirely too much and that's a great way to destroy your biosystem in your tank. A 10% water change ONCE A MONTH and then a 25% water change once to twice a year. With a saltwater tank, you shouldn't have to add more salt with a water change. Salt doesn't evaporate and it stays in the water. Just be sure to always check your salt and water ratio when you do a water change. If you're having problem with Nitrate or Nitrite, get some live plants or coral for your tank; that'll take care of that problem. They break down... One of the two (I don't remember at the moment) to the other one which one is easier to filtrate than the other. Don't worry, you can handle a saltwater tank, it's not as complicated as all the amatures want to make it seem. It's expensive, yes but in the long run, you won't be going through fish as quickly.

Answer 2

Saltwater fish are much more complicated!!!! Stick with freshwater fish because saltwater fish are EXPENSIVE. The problem is that your nitrate levels are too high. Do a complete water change (Put the fish in a BIG container). Then add dechlorinator and your filter run (in the water) for 24hours ( I would go 48 hours just to be safe) Then slowly add your fish to the water and watch there actions over the next few days. BUT MAKE SURE TO TEST YOUR NITRITE LEVELS IN THE TANK BEFORE ADDING THE FISH!!!!!!! If the levels are high for more than 12hours. Get a type of medication for the water that converts Ammonia to Nitrite. Then Nitrite to non-toxic nitrate.

Answer 3

Two Thumbs Up for Sirena Doren.Way to go Girl, Love your attitude.
I wish people would come out of the STONE AGE when it comes to saltwater.
There has been a lot of research and GREAT IMPROVEMENTS over the last 10-15 years on setting up and maintaining Saltwater tanks.
I DO NOT USE ANY FISH TO CYCLE MY TANKS
Using Live Rock And Sand is not only more humane but it can cycle your tank in as little as 2 weeks if done PROPERLY.
I usually have a couple of SOFT Corals and a Fish in my tanks in as little as 4 weeks, Sometimes 5.
As for taking 5 or 6 months to add fish??? What Century Are You In???
Check out the pics on this page.
http://www.fishtankforums.com/fish-pictures/member-saltwater-aquarium-pictures-3
ALL of the ones posted by buzzard are AT 6 MONTHS.
All water perameters are PERFECT.
I do water top ups When needed(same as freshwater), 10% water changes every 2 months(WAY LESS than freshwater), empty the protein skimmer twice a week(not needed in freshwater), TEST the water once a month(Unless something LOOKS wrong)(Less than freshwater), Clean the FRONT glass when needed.(Same as freshwater), Add Bio-Cal every 2 days(not needed in freshwater but only takes 30 seconds)
All in All, it probably works out to about 5 minutes a day(some days longer, some days nothing) Thats A LOT LESS TIME than I ever spent on a freshwater aquarium.
Do some research and do it rightand you will find yourself enjoying your Aquarium a lot more and Working on your Aquarium A Lot Less.
Live Rock and Live Sand and DO NOT ADD TOO MANY FISH AT ONE TIME and you will never have a nitrite, nitrate problem again, as a mater of fact the Live sand will break it down even further to Nitrogen gas which will evap out of your tank.
Lots of Patients for the first couple of months.
Do some reeding and give her a try, I don't think you will be sorry.
http://saltaquarium.about.com/
http://www.captivereefing.com/index.php
http://www.fishtankforums.com/

Answer 4

A saltwater tank isn't any easier to take care of. You still need to be wary of water conditions. If your nitrate level is too high, you should take care of that problem otherwise you will face that same problem with a salt water tank. Don't just automatically assume that saltwater is easier. Both types take time and care. If you aren't willing to put in the effort, you shouldn't keep an aquarium.

Answer 5

No, saltwater is a lot harder than fresh. The water has to be almost perfect all the time and on top of that saltwater fish are a lot more expensive and the stores don't give you money back when they die. They do that though with fresh water fish.

Answer 6

No, salt water are a bit MORE complicated actually. If you have high nitrite then the tank has not finished cycling but will very soon and your fish will be fine. If you have high nitrate a good water change will take care of that.

If you will do a 25% water change once a week and clean the filter it will prevent most all of your problems. it's really that easy.

MM

Answer 7

no definitely not. salt water fish are much harder. Not only do you also have to worry about nitrites and nitrates but you have to make sure that the water has the right amount of salinity.
First with nitrites, has your tank cycled yet? If not and you are trying to cycle with fish you may not have hardy enough fish or have too many at one time.
If your tank is cycled then all you have to do to lower your nitrates is to change the water about once week between 20-30 percent. Another way to bring it down is make sure you aren't over feeding them. Whatever they can consume in about 5 minutes is enough, anything left over you should clean out.
Hope this helps some!

Answer 8

marine fish are much more complicated to look after than fresh water fish are. put some live plants in your tank and it should clear the problem up.

Answer 9

I've never had freshwater fish but was told by many people it is much more difficult to maintain. There should be something you can buy to correct the Nitrate in the water. You can also buy kits to test your own fish tank water. Good luck.

Answer 10

Salt water fish are MUCH more complicated to take care of, not to mention much more expensive - although on the plus side, they are a lot prettier to look at too (much more colorful)