Cichlid Or Saltwater?

[orbitup]

I've been keeping freshwater tanks off and on for years. Right now I have a 46gal bowfront with Jack Dempseys. I've got and UGF on there now, but I want to change that because I would like to have plants(and different fish) and be able to breed without sucking up fry.

Anyway..... I went window shopping today at a LFS and before I left I thought I would just have a look at the saltwater fish. Now I want some of these!

My question is, do I need a certain level of expertise or can I jump into saltwater as long as I'm careful?

 

[tetraman]

I'm assuming you meant saltwater in the last paragraph. If I where you, I would stick with freshwater. It can be just as much, if not more, exciting then saltwater, and a heck of a lot easier.

 

[Lynden]

Are you kidding me?

I also don't agree about freshwater being a lot easier, either, having kept both. The main difference: $$$.

The amount of reasearch you need for saltwater is a little higher too, but that's because their is far more to know. Their are exponentially more species available to the saltwater keeper than to the freshwater keeper.

Not to say Freshwater tanks aren't cool too, but marine blows freshwater out of the water.

-Lynden

 

[Nevergone815]

Are you kidding me?

I also don't agree about freshwater being a lot easier, either, having kept both. The main difference: $$$.

The amount of reason you need for saltwater is a little higher too, but that's because their is far more to know. Their are exponentially more species available to the saltwater keeper than to the freshwater keeper.

Not to say Freshwater tanks aren't cool too, but marine blows freshwater out of the water.

-Lynden

i've got to agree. the only difference is money. SW takes a whole lot more money to get a tank started. also the fish, though much more colorful and vibrant, they cost that much more to buy.

FW is more for people with low budgets and jsut a joy for that kind of thing. i feel SW should be kept to when you have more experience with keeping fish. i wanted to tackle SW keeping and then i learned there is so many thigns that i don't know yet. i said i'm not going to experiment and lose like $55 a peice fish in this test.

i suggest going to the SW/Marine section of this forum and learning all that you can before taking it on. it's what i'm doing. even if you don't ask questions i nthe threads, jsut read experiences, read the pinned topics and justlearn. ask questions when you're not sure and they will be sure to help you. good luck and welcome to the forum!

 

[Chac]

It can be just as much, if not more, exciting then saltwater, and a heck of a lot easier.

Must have missed the exitement n my FW days

Saltwater is initially more expensive but so much more rewarding & diverse, head down to the Marine section orbitup

 

[Lynden]

Come on down to the marine forum.
Marine Forum

 

[boshank23]

is there any competition? i have kept freshwater fish for years, fell in love with malawi cichlids, but after doing marine nothing compares.

its so diverse, there are new things to discover (not all of them good) everyday. its worth the extra spondonix trust me you will be facinated.

 

[orbitup]

Thanks for the help. I still haven't made up my mind though.

I did find someone local to take my Jack Dempseys.

 

[tetraman]

Yeah, I guess you guys are right. At one time I liked saltwater, but as I am 12 and somewhat a beginner, I knew they where out of the question, so I "made" myself not like it.