Are Salt Water tanks more harder to take care of then freash water?

Question

sorry fresh water

Answer 1

If you do the research beforehand, so you get the proper equipment and select fish based on tank size and compatability, I don't think they're that much harder than freshwater. I have several of each type.

There are some differences between them, though. The obvious one is that you need to mix up saltwater for water changes, which requires a container, salt mix and a hydrometer. The hydrometer measures the amount of salt in the water by measuring the density/specific gravity. You can mix the water in the tank the first time, but after you add fish or other animals, you need to mix and adjust the amount before you add it.

If you already have freshwater, you may have a tank, heater, and filter you can convert. It's a good idea to go with as large a tank as possible at first, since the extra volume will keep the temperature and water chemistry more stable, and will give you more room for what you want to keep.

You should get a marine substrate, rather than using aquarium gravel. This would be either an aragonite substrate or crushed coral - these will help buffer the pH, which should be 8.2-8.4. Live rock is recommended, since this will provide bacteria to cycle the tank, and additional area for bacterial colonization (not to mention all the shrimp, snails, algae, sponges, coral, or other things you might find on it).

A protein skimmer is another recommended piece of equipment. This uses bubbles to remove dissolved organic material from the water before it contributes to the ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate to any great degree. This isn't a 100% necessity, especially when first starting the tank, so you can put off getting it if you decide to use one.

A saltwater testing kit is a must!

The fish tend to be more territorial and aggressive in saltwater - consider it like keeping a mixed groups of cichlids for personality. Because of their behavior and their intolerance of poor water quality, stocking is much lighter than in a freshwater tank. Most species you'll be limitied to a single member of the family, although there are some that can be kept as pairs, and even fewer that school.

A good place to start is by looking through a book on marine fishkeeping. I would suggest The New Marine Aquarium by Michael S. Paletta. Microcosm Ltd. ISBN 1-890087-52-1or The Conscientious Marine Aquarist by Robert M. Fenner. Microcosm Ltd. ISBN 1-890087-02-5 as a reference.

Here are some websites you can look at for more information: http://www.fishlore.com/SaltwaterBeginners.htm
http://www.peteducation.com/index.cfm?cls=16
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/

Answer 2

Yes absolutely. And if you decide to keep anything out of the ordinary it can get extremely expensive too. You would think that salinity is the big problem with salwater tank but suprisingly since the salt stays in the tank, all you need to do is get it right once and top up with either R.O. or bottled spring water. After salt there are 5 other water parameters that need regular checking. The test kits are getting better but it's still not foolproof. The main diseases for fish are the same as fresh but can be harder to treat depending what else you keep.

It can be very rewarding having one but just know what you are getting yourself into. :)

Answer 3

Salt Water is a little harder, but depending upon how you set it up, you can make it comparable to fresh for maintenance after the initial set up!

Answer 4

not neccesarily. it depends on you and your equipment and how much time you are willing to dedicate.

check your salinity almost every 3 -4 days and top off as needed.
get your water tested once a week. my local pet store does it for free.

change water when needed only.

corals can be dificult because you will have to have sufficeint lighting and food, and many supplements such as iodine and calcium

i have only a ten gallon tank. and its my first salt tank. i dont have any corals but i did get an anenonme today.

Answer 5

No they are not. The biggest problem people have are pet stores trying to sell them alot of crap and patience. I myself suggest finding or purchasing a copy of Julian Sprungs "The reef Aqaurium Volume One" and Volume Two if you want to go further. Geting in a hurry is everyones biggest problem. Saltwater fish set-ups are very easy I think easier than freshwater. Reef tanks a bit more complicated. It takes 6 months to a year to even get a reef tank going strong enouph to support itself. Over time you will learn your tank and see things happening. DO ALOT OF STUDY, know more than the petstore when you go in. FAMA freshwater and marine aqaurium is also a good mag to read.

Answer 6

Yes , I have had freshwater aquariums for 40 years and from experience saltwater is at best difficult . the fish are much more expensive and if you have a power failure that last say ,12 hours you will probably lose everything

Answer 7

No. I got told that and that made me worry. But my tank is doing fine. It may have different costs and items for the tank, but isn't really that much harder.

Answer 8

I just converted from fresh and in one way yes because it's a whole new ball park of chemical levels, but once you get it then no.

Answer 9

yup - it's a lot more work - to do it properly - you should do 10% water changes weekly and 25% water changes monthly not to mention daily water testing - and that's just for regular tropical fish - if you want coral it keeping the water right is hard and must be checked daily - but i also know a guy that says he's got a salt water aquarium and he doesn't do anything to it at all - but i don't believe him.

Answer 10

Because i have had tropical and then 1wek ago salt i would say they are simply more time consuming, expercive and more colorful