Aggressive Vs. Community Vs. Reef

[hnf2k]

i wish i was able to do all 3, but i'm not. initially my heart was set on eels, lionfish, groupers, and triggers. but then i wanted a reef system. then i wanted a aggressive setup. then i wanted a community. now my tank is almost all cycled out, my ammonia is at 0. my nitrites are slowing dropping, and within the next week or so it's gonna be time to buy a fish or 2. so i need to know what everyone thinks i should do. which system is better for someone new to saltwaterfish? which is more exciting? which is the hardest to maintain and which is the easiest? i'd appreciate anything at all....thanks in advance

 

[twoods71]

IMO
Someone new = FOWLR (community)
Exciting = Reef
Hardest = Reef
Easiest = FOWLR
Somewhere in between = Aggressive.
All of the above is for a majority of fish that most people keep. It can all change depending on what you keep.
I started with FW, it was fun at first but I got tired of it.
Next was a FOWLR much funner and never lost interest.
Now I have a Reef and I am officially addicted.

 

[dubba-r]

Reef = expensive! (upgrade in lighting a must!)
FOWLR = Cheaper (although, depends on what type of fish and amount of LR)
FO = Even cheaper (although, tank may not look "ocean-like") with no LR)
I have a:

 

[almarktool]

well here is what i would do i have only been in hobby a year and i have made some changes etc,
since u have the 1 tank to work with u already have a nice sand bed and a nice amount of lr start out with a community, do not get a SS starfish or horseshoe crab or diamond goby, they will kill your sb in no time this leaves u the option of a nice mandrian later on, i would say no angels for right now which should not be added for 6 months anyway, start out with reef safe fish only just a few then in a month or 2 add some mushrooms or a colt coral once u do that u will start to see what it could like if u like the corals then u are in good shape because u already only have reef safe fish add more corals and a tang or 2 school of cardinals or green chromies, if u don't like the corals then u are open to angels etc, u have a dsb already so u will have some sort of counch snails etc, to keep everything nice and clean so i would rule out aggressive if it were me I want to enjoy my time looking at my tank more than cleaning it and worrying about sloppy eaters, but keep in mind reef tank is not a piece of cake u must watch u water par at every level and does require more buffering , i have a 75 and i am getting ridding of my trouble makers now so i can convert to reef only, but i am fortiunte enough that i am also getting my 200 in a week so i can have my angels , touch decision but sit down get cracking and give it lots of thought

 

[hnf2k]

i dont think i would want to goto reef, my interest is in the fish. i goto the lfs store and the reefs dont interest me much. it's like the comparison of going to a farm vs a petting zoo(if i was a kid). i do want to get a few lobsters, crabs, crabs, snails and whatever. but i dont know what fish to get with them. i want blennies, and other things, but nobody seems to recommend getting a blennie, any reason why?