Questions about freshwater aquariums vs. saltwater?

Question

I want to get a 20 gallon tank.

How hard is it to maintain a saltwater tank vs. a freshwater? How much more difficult is it? Considering it is more difficult, that is.

Also, is setting up and maintaining a 20g saltwater tank much more money than a 20g freshwater tank? What would you estimate the price difference as?

Any other info you'd like to share would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Answer 1

Honestly, a 20 gallon tank is extremely difficult to keep as a saltwater tank.  Generally, I don't recommend anyone trying a saltwater tank as a first attempt with anything smaller than 50 gallons or so.  Smaller tanks are just too difficult to keep balanced and stable enough for most marine animals.

As to price difference, you're looking at at least $100 more to run a saltwater tank.... and that's if you run a very "bare bones" setup with just a couple fish in it.  If you got the lighting needed to keep things like anemones and corals, add another $200 or so to it.  This is just for the initial start up cost; you also need to be able to perform water changes and routinely test the water to keep the nitrogen cycle in check.

I'm not trying to discourage you, but you can set up and run a freshwater tank for hundreds of dollars less than a saltwater tank.  Add to that the difficulty of keeping a tank that is only 20 gallons, and I just can't recommend to you enough to stick with fresh water on this one.

You can probably get everything you need to start a freshwater tropical tank for $30 or so (not including the tank).  Best of luck to you!

Answer 2

Well I heard they are cheap at Wal-Mart. But dont get fish there. And salt water tank is very difficult. But they have Prettier fish. Fresh water is easier. I have a 10 gal fresh water. Very Easy.  

Answer 3

There is a pretty significant difference in both difficulty and price when comparing fresh vs salt. There are pros and cons to both though.



Saltwater is difficult to maintain and much more expensive than freshwater, but the beauty of saltwater flora and fauna is amazing. You tend to get a lot more color from saltwater. Saltwater animals are very sensitive to water condition, quality and temperature and overcrowding and therefore require daily monitoring.

The equipment and fish are much more expensive than freshwater as well. This might suprise you, but it's actually easier to maintain a larger saltwater tank than a smaller one.

Freshwater offers much cheaper costs over all. However, most freshwater fish look drab and unoriginal compared to their saltwater cousins. (Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of beautiful freshies to be had, but there are a lot more colorful salties) Water care is also easier with freshwater.

I would recommend starting out with freshwater and getting a couple years experience being a fish keeper before attempting saltwater.

EDIT: I have seen saltwater setups for very cheap on craigslist.com  so If you have your heart set on a saltwater tank, check there daily to see if maybe you can find a deal. Often people get a tank started and severely underestimate the time and money it takes to own one and then give it away for next to nothing!

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Congrats!!!!!!

Really it comes down to money

Saltwater for a big tank $1500-3500 bucks to start up.

Freshwater about $150-500

A 20 gallon reef about $800.00 minimum

Saltwater should never be your first tank, once you get going it's not really more work than a freshwater but you need to know alot more about the fish and creatures and corals etc..as they are 10 times more sensitive to ammonia and any minor problems can easliy kill them. (and there expensive fish at $30-500 bucks each). You have to really keep a diligent effort on maintaining good water.

Freshwater.....Have really nice fish options and you can make it a planted tank with some good knowledge of what plants need first.

Fish need far less babysitting as they are far more resilent to water fluctuations. And for $100 bucks you can fully stock a tank a beautiful tank.

They work in opposite directions.. Your first saltwater should be 65 gallons and as you get better you can get smaller tanks..

Freshwater you start small and work your way up..

A 20 gallon is to tiny to really enjoy saltwater fish in true honesty.

You know the 1 inch of fish per gallon rule for freshwater? well it's about 1 inch per 5 gallons in saltwater. The fish are that sensitive.

Good luck and congrats on the tank.