I have both , two monster tanks one fresh one salt. You can click my sig to go into the details on what it takes and add up the cost. salt is more expensive maintenance, fish price and equipment wise, also much brighter and more colorful fish. I love both.
fresh vs salt
- Thread starter kamikaziechameleon
- Start date
Much more variety of saltwater fish with just as much if not more personality and get big and bold just like freshwater, puffers, triggers, groupers, batfish, wrasses , eels and my all time favorites for color, size boldness saltwater angelfish.
Well I think there are tons of ways you can get around the costs of freshwater systems but it does require a different level of dedication for the same level of DIY in saltwater.
Totally agree. My central americans are awesome as far as personality and color go, but my trigger tank was by far the most personable and interactive tank I've ever run
I find there are certain patterns and colors that are not really well represented in salt water. The scale type/density on most of the salt water fish doesn't lend itself to that textured color you get with many of the more amazing looking cichlids. I also noticed that the iridescent sheen that is so prevalent in cichlids seems less common in salt water.
You are comparing an average salt water live stock to the most expensive FW fish you can find...
Agree, and If you ever keep a porcupine puffer you'll really have a pet. I had a maculosus angel that got to about 7 inches before I sold her off and shes was just like an oscar. So was my queen and emperor, the angels I kept were truly pets
yeah my OP was pretty much me comparing the setup cost on a nano reef vs a similarly sized planted tank.
Some of the costs associated with certain freshwater fish come from selective breeding, something that hasn't really happened yet with SW fish so not really a fair comparison for many of those fish. Fad fish are also a poor example as they have inflated prices that don't represent rarity or demand really just the perceived value. There is no shortage of FHs now but prices are still high, lol.
It doesn't cost that much more once setup. You don't need live rock for fish only tank. That's a Reef setup that yes would be expensive to get into. You'll have to buy salt which I noticed has come down in price since I last was into reef tanks 10 years ago. A Hydrometer to measure the salinity in the tank that's the only things you need that's different from fresh. You might want coral sand instead of regular gravel. Some sea shell decor appropriate SW type fake plants.
The fish you choose to keep could be more costly meaning not more to maintain but to keep alive. There are a lot of salt fish IMO should not be even sold to the public but are regularly available.
The fish you choose to keep could be more costly meaning not more to maintain but to keep alive. There are a lot of salt fish IMO should not be even sold to the public but are regularly available.
If my 300 was a fish only salt setup and i did biweekly water changes, salt alone would cost about $80-90 pr month for the cheap stuff
