Huge tank... Freshwater vs. Saltwater Questions!

gmann21193

New Member
Ive recently found an interest in Marine Fishkeeping. My experience with fishkeeping has been limited to 3 Freshwater fishtanks( 5 Gal., 5 Gal, 10 Gal) and I've only been keeping fish for about 5 years( since i'm just a teenager). In the future, My Dad's friend might give me his 150 Gallon Fishtank.( Big Jump from a 10 Gallon, Eh?). I know this wouldnt be advised jumping from keeping a 10 to a 150 Gallon but Ive done tons of research about keeping large tanks and I'm pretty educated in the topic now. I've bought books and learned about different equipment and just pretty much learning how to handle a huge tank. Now this is where I am stumped. Should a fishkeeper who has little prior experience is Marine fishkeeping take on a 150 Gallon Marine Aquarium or should I stick with freshwater. I really am interested in Marine but I am afraid of how much effort you must put in to a marine fishtank opposed to a freshwater fishtank, especially when its a 150 Gallon Tank. Physically and Finnacially. I know freshwater might be a bit easier to handle.. but Marine fish and Marine creatures in general are just sooo..... I dont know the word... Less Boring? Better? Cooler? Appealing? I love the idea of Live rock and Coral, things you cant have in a freshwater tank, and all the invertebrae! There is just so much oppurtunity and possibilities! But then again I have no real experience with this and I dont know if it is the right way to go. I know freshwater is generally cheaper, and easier to manage... but you catch my drift. Should I take on a huge Marine tank, or should I take on a huge freshwater tank. Either way its a challenge, I am aware of that, But what are all your fishkeeper's opinions?
 

seannmelly

Active Member
if the 150 is already a saltwater tank and hes giving you everything for free id say go for it. if its not saltwater your going to need a skimmer better lights sump ect. this can get expensive for a teen. something to think about
 

seannmelly

Active Member
if he doesnt have a decent income its going to be tough to buy all the equipment if it doesnt come with anything. items for a 150 arnt going to be cheap
 

gmann21193

New Member
yea he has it as a freshwater tank right now. He has some huge fish in there.... I think he is waiting for his fish to die before giving me the tank. He has a foot long 14 year old Pleco in there so I have some time to save up. I heard Plecos can live to be 30 years old! I really dont want to wait till im 30 to get his tank. Lol! But yea so what about maintaining a huge marine tank.... Is difficult to maintain a 150 Gal.??? Even if I got a bunch of inverts to help........
 

michaeltx

Moderator
all depends on how its setup it can be completely automated if the price is right or it can be all hands on really money is that factor on how easy its up keep is.
Mike
 

michaeltx

Moderator
Whoa i just realized something.. His Pleco is about as old as me!!!!!!
thats impressive!!! LOL :hilarious
 

michaeltx

Moderator
FW VS SW is completely different topoffs auto dosers, reactors skimmers, lighting, sumps, fuges, and all that good stuff.
Mike
 

rbaldino

Active Member
Saltwater isn't really all that much more complicated than freshwater, and what differences there are should be easy enough to grasp. As for setting up a 150 gallon tank, you might want to wait, depending on how steady a stream of income you have. The initial costs are one thing, but larger tanks also cost much more to maintain. Before you jump in, get a small tank, say 20 gallons, and try it out for a while. Good luck.
 

gmann21193

New Member
yea its a pretty difficult choice for me because i know so much about freshwater so its like idk if I should continue within my area or expertise or expand to the oh so different path of Marine Fishkeeping. I have some time to think it out.
 

seannmelly

Active Member
if you have the money go for it if not try a 20 or 30 gallon saltwater tank. have you ever heard of a nano cube? they come 12 or 24 gallons and are somewhat reef ready around 250. i think this would be a good place to start.
 
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