I've always done FW but want to do a SW tank also. Seems that the best way to go for beginners is just to get a Biocube and set that up for SW. They're kind of expensive it seems but they include everything needed basically.
total dissapointment with FW tank
- Thread starter talal101
- Start date
I wish I lived near the ocean, I could have had started my tank like 10 years ago. I would go out everyday and pick some different kinds of corals and stuff, but with research to see if they are endangered first.Saltwater doesn't really have to be a lot more expensive. The water changes do cost more, but everything else is optional. If you are keeping just fish then you can basically run a saltwater tank exactly like you would a freshwater tank. Even the fish arn't necessarily a whole lot more expensive. It is just the fish people commonly keep are more expensive. Damsels, $1-5/ea. Engineer Gobies are often $5/ea. Plenty of Clowns and Blennies in the $15 range. The price balances out when you consider that you arn't putting half-a-dozen of those saltwater fish in the tank like you often do with cheap freshwater fish.
The main thing with saltwater vs. freshwater is variety. If you are happy with fish and plants then freshwater is easier and cheaper. It's the variety that makes saltwater interesting though. Hermit crabs, lobsters, shrimp, slugs, cucumbers, anenomes, coral, sponges, etc.. The options are wide open for how you want to keep it. Anenomes and corals are really the only things that force you to go into the "omg this costs how much?!" territory (and even then, you can cut corners if you are extremely careful on what you buy and do a lot of research).
Plus if you live near the ocean, freebies.
I like fw Only saltwater tanks that appeal to me are the big setups in public Aquariums with real sharks and groupers. Something you can only see at a public Aquarium. But dude in the long run it will be your choice.
i've had fresh and currently have salt, i noticed mfk forums are kinda anti saltwater for some reason not sure why. for inexperienced people, saltwater tanks can be intimidating, it does some initial equipment up cost ie protein skimmer, decent lighting if you want corals, mixing salt before water changes etc but the rewards are spectacular. once set up it is very stable, especially if you use alot of natural filteration ie live rock
anyone who loves peacock bass or other large monsters would love a huge clown trigger, surge wrasse, minatus grouper etc they all have as much if not more personality and colors no comparison
that being said, i think freshwater fish rock, i'm setting up a big freshwater tank as we speak to compliment my saltwater.
anyone who loves peacock bass or other large monsters would love a huge clown trigger, surge wrasse, minatus grouper etc they all have as much if not more personality and colors no comparison
that being said, i think freshwater fish rock, i'm setting up a big freshwater tank as we speak to compliment my saltwater.
As well as at least 5 years. It takes a whole new level of patience to watch corals grow. Most of them at least.
Just so you know, the "rocky lakes" (Rift Lakes) house specific cichlids. If you're trying to keep it natural, that means that African Rift Lake cichlids are most appropriate (peacocks can be REALLY colorful). Not that it really matters. Just do what you like. Most of my tanks don't represent a particular biotope. However, Central/South American cichlids (like festaes) don't always like the way you decorate. A lot of the large CA/SA cichlids like to dig up the gravel and uproot plants. My salvini (another beautiful cichlid) has piled all of the gravel towards the front of the tank!
There are friendly FW fish with color too (bosemani rainbowfish, cardinal tetra, etc), but in general the colors are less brilliant. However, no SW tank can match the green of a planted tank. I would post pics of my reef tank and planted tank but my camera just can't do them justice. The planted green-washes every picture lol. And my camera has trouble with the fluorescent colors of my corals.
No matter which you have, let me say that lighting will make a HUGE difference in the vibrancy of your tank. I was using regular T8 fluorescent lights....until I upgraded to T5's and Power Compacts. I'm not going back lol.
Once you really finish customizing and accessorizing your tank it will be unique and I'm sure you will enjoy it. Our customers always say "I just want lots of color", but as a marine/aquatic biologist I can tell you that mentality just doesn't resonate with fish people. That's probably the source of most of your opposition. I know that's the case with me!
In the end, if your not happy with fresh water then its your decision to switch to salt. Doesn't matter what everyone else thinks, its your tank, do with it what you want. People thought I was crazy for converting my salt water tank into fresh water but I'm glad I did it and I'm happy with it. Salt water fish are beautiful but they are also alot more expensive to buy and the tank requires more maintenance than a fresh water tank does. You can't just use a garden hose for water changes. If you switch to salt, throw your python away and buy yourself a RODI unit ($200) and be ready to replace the membrane ($50) every 3-6 months. The $50 buckets of salt, the constant water testing and keeping the damn RODI unit working were the deal breakers for me. I was so frustrated with my tank that I almost got rid of it completely. When I had the resources ($$$) to spend on the tank it was alot of fun but I don't any more. But it sounds like you've done your homework and know what all is involved, if you can afford it and want to do salt, then go for it!
You know biocube is a load of crap IMHO, you can set up a decent 10-20 gallon for less than half the price of a biocube alone. You know biocube only really comes with a filter and light and you have to upgrade the light if you want any nice corals. Nowadays many 10-20 gallon tanks come with LEDs and other more powerful fixtures and you can put a HOB penguin biowheel. With such a small tank you don't need a protein skimmer if you keep up with weekly 10% water changes and get say a couple clowns and a few inverts.
No I disagree in that regard but only because im not really into big fish in my own personal tanks. I'm more into fish of small to medium size (4-7") but if I had a huge tank I would have monsters.
Yeah I kind of noticed that many people on here love their FW tanks and seem anti-salt but to each his own taste. I will keep my FW so I can start up a small scale salt tank.
Yeah that's what's I thought, I would need years if I wasn't buying a 3000 dollar tank to grow it out like that, and I decided to do my tank all over as a cichlid tank, that'll keep my busy. And sorry I didn't really understand your last comment about mentality.
I meant more of buying a used one on Craigslist. Most of the ones that I see around here on Craigslist already have upgraded lights. I actually saw one that had the whole top removed with a refugium on the back of it and PC lighting.
Ive kept both all my life but ironically after I moved to Florida, all I've kept is fresh. I'm really not anti either one, but I really enjoy freshwater better. Salt systems cost more no matter how you cut it ......from equipment to the fish. For every freshwater fish that costs $100 I could show you five saltwater fish at the same price.
I totally disagree with saltwater fish being more personable. I kept a large salt systems that housed large triggers, eels, groupers and while triggers have some unbelievable personalities, no fish has been as personable as my Midas or my Jack Dempsey.
I think it really comes down to what makes you happy though. I think the aquascaping of a tank goes along way as does proper fish selection and if your tanks bugging you, change it. If color and small sized fish are what you want then you might want to check out some African cichlid setups or even dwarf cichlids(apistos, rams). Some of the rift lake cichlids are more colorful than alot of saltwater fish.
I totally disagree with saltwater fish being more personable. I kept a large salt systems that housed large triggers, eels, groupers and while triggers have some unbelievable personalities, no fish has been as personable as my Midas or my Jack Dempsey.
I think it really comes down to what makes you happy though. I think the aquascaping of a tank goes along way as does proper fish selection and if your tanks bugging you, change it. If color and small sized fish are what you want then you might want to check out some African cichlid setups or even dwarf cichlids(apistos, rams). Some of the rift lake cichlids are more colorful than alot of saltwater fish.
