Saltwater Or Freshwater

[DiscoS2]

Hi,
 
I realise this is my third post today but I am trying to setup my first tank.
 
I bought this tank originally to set up as a freshwater tank but now after seeing the kind of fish you can get in saltwater, I am intrigued.
 
A few questions then.

1. I have already setup the tank with water, decorations and all the equipment is setup and has been running for four days. I assume I need to start over and replace with saltwater..
2. What extra will I need in terms of equipment. I have a heater, filter, pump, LED light and obviously the tank. 
3. Is saltwater a good idea for beginners or is it better to go with freshwater when first starting out?
4. Is the fish less cycle the same for saltwater aquariums or are there other steps to follow?
5. Anything else I should think about/know?

Thanks in advance :good

 

[the_lock_man]

1 & 2) There are a few other items needed, a protein skimmer springs to mind. We have a dedicated salty section, where you can get better answers than this.
3) No. It is much harder and much more costly to do saltwater.
4) Basically the same, yes.
5) Yes, don't do saltwater as a beginner
 
You can post as many times in a day as you like!

 

[Jazziecatz]

I am a beginner too and saltwater seems WAY WAY WAY too hard.  I recommend freshwater all the way.

 

[Ch4rlie]

I have been around this forum for a little while and am still very much a newbie and to be honest I won't even consider saltwater tanks until have got a good handle on tropical fish keeping which is an ongoing learning process.
 
Am actually thinking I will give topricals another year at the very least before will consider saltwater tanks.
Planning on maybe having both saltwater and tropical. Wait and see eh!
 
So would recommend you stay with tropicals for a while as is 'easier', cheaper and less demanding than saltwater set ups.

 

[DerpPH]

in a saltwater tank there is no margin for error.
 
I suggest a freshwater tank. For beginners.
 
You also need a lot of live rock,coral, fish, lights which costs a fortune

I think african cichlids may fit your bill.
 
Some are even more colorful than saltwater fish.
 
Example:
 

 

[paradiddle]

Go fresh to start, salt is daunting and expensive, unless youve got a start up cost of £400 for essentials and supplies, then theres the average price per coral at around £30-40 EACH in my LFS
Clown fish are roughly £20 each, more exotic can be £50 and above...
 
Its an expensive game, you would need a lot of spare time and income you can afford to spare for corals fish and supplies.
Then there is the maintenance side of water changes, you need to buy RO salt water or mix your own, its on average about £6-7 per 25L, and youd change 40% once a week, work out your monthly/yearly costs of water alone.
 
E.g. a 200L tanks water change (if buying RO) is 80L a week, thats on average £20 a week, £80 a month, £960 per year on water changes alone.
 
Marine tanks use more electricity (normally) because your running skimmer(s) filter(s) sump? lights, pump(s) UV etc
 
 
Read up on cichlids, in my opinion as close as you can get to marine without getting salty

in a saltwater tank there is no margin for error.
 
I suggest a freshwater tank. For beginners.
 
You also need a lot of live rock,coral, fish, lights which costs a fortune

I think african cichlids may fit your bill.
 
Some are even more colorful than saltwater fish.
 
Example:
 

Beat me to cichlids by a couple of minutes while i was typing! (and watching breaking bad )

 

[Tongue_Flicker]

in a saltwater tank there is no margin for error.
 
I suggest a freshwater tank. For beginners.
 
You also need a lot of live rock,coral, fish, lights which costs a fortune
I think african cichlids may fit your bill.
 
Some are even more colorful than saltwater fish.
 
Example:
 

Agreed.

Saltwater tanks needs a very good and strong filtration system plus the need to maintain constant specs is too much stress and trouble for a beginner to handle. (Not to discourage you though but i've been there done that kind of thing lol).

A slight change in dH/pH and salinity will often yield dire results. So while adjusting, think of keeping a freshwater tank as a prerequisite course for a marine tank. You need to pass with flying colors first before pursuing the next degree.

Good luck and congrats, nevertheless!!