To do or not to do

[Will posey]

I've been into freshwater tanks for few years now and was thinking about getting into saltwater so I was just wondering what it's like maintaining a saltwater tank I have been reading up on it and some books say it is real expensive while others say it can be just as expensive as freshwater so I need some experienced opinions

 

[Cu455]

It will cost more then freshwater but doesn't have to be ridiculous like some make it seem. You will need to add salt to the water which adds some cost and fish are more expensive.

 

[Will posey]

Would a 75 gallon be a good starter tank

 

[smitty03281964]

A 75 would be a good starter and I agree with Cu55 some make it out to be more than what it is.

 

[dallen2233]

from what I've seen, the only thing that cost me more for saltwater than fresh was the salt and protein skimmers. Other than that my costs would have been about the same if I went freshwater instead of salt.

 

[Will posey]

What is a good starter fish I have always had a fascination with lion fish but I was told they are for the more advanced keepers

I would like a Foo-man choo lion fish to be exact

 

[mscamp02]

If you go full on reef it can get expensive depending on type of corals you wish to keep, you can get some cheaper lights capable of soft corals mushrooms etc and get some relatively cheaper corals and still be happy. Same thing like with Rays or any other fish, some rays go for 100 some go for north of 2k depending on size and type. A salt tank will cost as much as you let it cost.

I found maintenance fairly easy as long as you keep up with algae control, I regularly had to wipe down my glass that my snails didnt clean to make sure I didnt get any build up. That all being said I only kept my 29g biocube for a little over a year before selling it and sticking with fresh. Eventually it just didn't keep my interest but most fish I have kept haven't been able to and the only thing I have kept long term have been my rays.

 

[Westie]

Expense depends on how far you wish to go and on your local water quality. I have a full blown reef which means live rock and corals. I have every test kit available and follow them like the bible. Good lighting is very important and expensive. And because my local water is full of phosphates, which lead to mass algae blooms, I do RO water (expensive) and a salt mix which carries all the optimal salt and chem levels for a reef. Also, weekly water changes. I have an excellent LFS which sells coral frags for $10-$20 so stocking has not killed my wallet. Many of these things can be done over time so you don't need to plunk down a credit card to get it all at the same time. Good luck and have fun!

 

[dallen2233]

What is a good starter fish I have always had a fascination with lion fish but I was told they are for the more advanced keepers

I would like a Foo-man choo lion fish to be exact

damselfish are a good starter fish and they're cheap, but they are an aggressive fish. Although by the way it sounds, I assume you want a more aggressive tank? I personally have never had a lion fish other than for lunch (they don't taste half bad) and I wouldn't want to try since it could hurt my sharks, so I really can't help you there.