are salt water fish tanks more work/upkeep than regular water fish tanks?
I was looking into purchasing and setting up a fish tank. I know they are expensive in the first place, but I wanted to know if (and how much) more work salt water tanks are to take care of. Are there special filters for salt water? Thanks!
they are more expensive to start than regular freshwater fish but the maintain is not that bad. with the proper about of live rock and sand they will "filter" the water so much better than a regular filter. and do not use one with a BIO wheel because they will trap in the nitrates and cause much more harm than good. you don’t need to do water changes and more often than a freshwater tank (weekly or bi-monthly) and the salt mix for the changes isn’t all that expensive if you buy the larger bags.
you will need to have the tank setup for a while longer than a freshwater but in the long run it will look a lot better and you will be much happier
fresh water fish are much easier to take care of – the fish are cheaper and its also cheaper to clean the tanks.
October 31st, 2009 at 1:11 amReferences :
it involves more work cos you got to maintain the salt levels. also marine fish in general are a lot more expensive.
October 31st, 2009 at 1:23 amReferences :
lots and lots of work You have to do frequent water changes, the first are alot more sensitive to changes in water quality as well.
Make sure you get a filter thats sycles through lots of water. a biowheel works good. A powerhead is needed to create a current.
Also you sometimes have to deal with damn parasites such as aptasia that can live in the live rock you get.
other then that salt water tanks are awesome and its fun to see it grow.
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October 31st, 2009 at 2:06 ami own a salt water tank
Yes they are but not much, new technology such as reef and whet dry systems reduce the amount of care it takes. Mostly it’s about balance and having the right kinds of organisms living together to reduce the stress in the tank. Any extra work is well worth the beauty that a salt water tank adds to a home.
October 31st, 2009 at 2:16 amReferences :
they are more expensive to start than regular freshwater fish but the maintain is not that bad. with the proper about of live rock and sand they will "filter" the water so much better than a regular filter. and do not use one with a BIO wheel because they will trap in the nitrates and cause much more harm than good. you don’t need to do water changes and more often than a freshwater tank (weekly or bi-monthly) and the salt mix for the changes isn’t all that expensive if you buy the larger bags.
October 31st, 2009 at 2:49 amyou will need to have the tank setup for a while longer than a freshwater but in the long run it will look a lot better and you will be much happier
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For a first tank, get a freshwater setup. They are much simpler.
Marine tanks aren’t that bad, but you must have a good understanding of the various water parameters and the things needed to maintain them. Maybe you will want a marine tank in the future, when you have more experience with fish.
But a freshwater is just so much easier to maintain, especially for a beginner.
Ian
October 31st, 2009 at 3:20 amReferences :