advice greatly appreciated

leroyjenkins

leroyjenkins

New Member
Hello, My name is Leroy and I am new to this. I Have read a lot of “How TO’s” on building an aquarium. I’m interested in finding out what the good and bad brands are of materials and supplies needed for fresh or salt water aquariums. Also what size tanks would you suggest for a start up tank? “I haven’t decided yet whether to do salt or fresh water. I understand that the salt water is far more difficult to stabilize and maintain but the tanks are also generally far more interesting and the fish are totally awesome. Any suggestions or ideas would be welcome.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Personally, I don't think saltwater is any harder than a good freshwater tank (not a goldfish or betta tank). I've kept both, and think that saltwater just offers so much more. Saltwater does require a little more work, but it's not more difficult.
I think the best tanks for newcomers to the hobby are 40G Breeder, 75G and 90G. If you can go 90G from the start, definitely do that.
A lot of equipment recommendations depend on what size tank you want and what your ultimate goal is. Do you want a reef (corals), a reef with fish, or just a fish only tank?
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member

Welcome to the site!
Saltwater is more expensive. In my opinion easier than freshwater. I too have kept both. Everything costs more on a saltwater tank, from substrate to lights.
The back beaking chore of putting the fish in buckets and scrubbing the algae from everything, and vacuuming the gravel are all a normal part of freshwater tanks. The fish are just plain dull.
In saltwater you swap out some water and replace it with new mixed saltwater once a month, critters clean the tank. The fish are awesome.
Cheapest freshwater fish...examlple a neon tetra....$1.59
Cheapest saltwater fish...example a clown fish...$18.00
Skimmers and power heads are needed on a saltwater but not freshwater tank.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
LOL...I never ever do anything to my FW tanks....and I have had them for many years.....NOW SW there is something to do EVERY DAY....
IMO sw and fw tank maintenance is like night and day
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///forum/thread/385003/advice-greatly-appreciated#post_3374847
LOL...I never ever do anything to my FW tanks....and I have had them for many years.....NOW SW there is something to do EVERY DAY....
IMO sw and fw tank maintenance is like night and day

You don't siphon the gravel? Take out the rock and fake plants to scrub the algae off of it? Back when I had a 55g freshwater tank, about 3Xs a year I put the fish in buckets and scrubbed everything fishy. Replaced the water with de-chlorinated tap water ( I never heard of RO/DI before saltwater)
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///forum/thread/385003/advice-greatly-appreciated#post_3374899

You don't siphon the gravel? Take out the rock and fake plants to scrub the algae off of it? Back when I had a 55g freshwater tank, about 3Xs a year I put the fish in buckets and scrubbed everything fishy. Replaced the water with de-chlorinated tap water ( I never heard of RO/DI before saltwater)
Flower my FW fish tanks are lucky if they get their filters changed....I DO...siphon the gravel in my tanks....MAYBE 1x a year.....
I use to maintain them more BEFORE I got into SW.....BUT now they get top offs..
I really DO NEED TO do a good siphon and w/c on both though......now I feel guilty :( (NOT)
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
I could not keep FW fish alive. The tank always stayed the same and that bored me. I switched to salt and enjoy the diversity.
 
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