freshwater is much simpler (in general) to maintain and keep up with. i had a 20G FW and 55G SW AND a 10GSW running and it was very crazy. but, like anything, its up to personal preference. if u want very vivid fish and pretty corals...etc, go with SW. if u want easy and (again, in general) hardier to keep fish, and might be on a budget, go with FW. there is still beauty in FW. like some cichlids and the albino Oscars. plus, if push comes to shove with a FW tank, tap water can hold u off until u can get to some better water. and the cichlids and oscars are used to the dirtier water.