SO- -
I just read through this whole thread and examined the situation. Here's my 2 cents:
I have a 45g high tank. it is not drilled and it is nothing but a tank and stand that I purchased at a local pet store for like 3 hundred bucks. I wanted a fish tank and thought that fresh water would be much easier. The fish I chose were neon tetras, a whole school of them. Well they are hard to keep, they die and you can't get them out because they are sooo tiny and they get stuck in filters and other equipment. And they were almost 5 bucks a piece. I tried keeping various cichlids and they were mean and would eat each other. The live plants keep breaking down in the water, causing ammonia swings... blah blah and I even had LFS guys test my water, look at my tank in home... No luck. It was difficult, frustrating, and my tank was ugly. I spent so much money on HOB filters for fresh water, and all of this nonsense... all in all, after a great amount of time at the LFS trying to solve all of my problems, I said screw this, and I went to salt. I have learned tons and I am now the owner of a very successful 45gal reef tank, complete with all sorts of invert and corals and fish! (Many thanks to the experts on the forum!!)
Now I have a spare room FULL of HOB filters and bubble wands and pumps, filter media and gravel and freshwater chemicals that I can't do anything with. I spent more $$$ on all that crap and can't do anything with it.
My vote, just go salt. I thought FW would be so much easier but it wasn't. and I have had my tank all cycled with all sorts of stuff and not one death yet!! I am just careful and take really good care of cleaning and maintaining my tank. These are lives you're dealing with. Always remember that this is the commitment you're making, to care for these creatures. FW or SW
