In praise of the saltwater aquarium.

[Chucky]

Y'know, I've been around tropical FRESHWATER fish since I was 4. From the age of 15, I've kept all kinds of freshwater fish. 20 years later, I decided to try out saltwater. All I can say, is, WHAT THE HECK TOOK ME SO LONG?!?!?

It's incredible how you can come home with a piece of live rock, then find 4 new inhabitants in your tank you never even realized existed on this planet! Finding out what the heck they are, and if they won't extend a tentacle or something during the night and strangle you in your sleep is also a real gas. I went out and bought a quality looking glass just so I could see them better. I also have a geologist's glass (the kind used to check diamonds) for things in the close foreground- hermit crabs look like aliens from 'starship troopers'. Tiny, tiny copepods on the glass are very interesting too.

Seems to me that once you go salt, you never want to go back to fresh...

 

[Anonymous]

FW can be really cool too, but there's no denying that SW is something special. A nice reef has an aura to it that even non-enthusiasts pick up on.

 

[HisKid]

Tell me about it. I have had goldfish, bettas, and all sorts of freshwater aquariums over the years, and I went a long time without fish at all. My buddy convinced me to sell my freshwater livestock and go saltwater; I havent looked back since. As a matter of opinion, I think that freshwater is great for little kids, but give me a reef any day!

 

[Microcosmos]

The funny thing is, a lot of people have the misconception that salt is always going to be more difficult and more expensive than fresh. For a FO tank the costs are pretty much the same, and you don't have to worry about which fish likes which pH, because the whole ocean has the same pH!

 

[Anonymous]

I picked this hobby up two years ago...keeping mainly fw all my life since I was about 10 (actually 8 but not in to it until 10) It's definetly a awesome hobby but also i could never go without a FW tank simultaneously. I set my pico reef up at work (less than a gallon) and i just got some new frags today.. Ton of people are awe struck at such a magnicant hobby..Great conversation piece.

 

[Anonymous]

I like both and have both. I don't see it as one or the other. When I start to get a little bored with one the other keeps me interested. Also, my freshwater Angels never eat anything their not supposed to :wink:
Andy

 

[Chucky]

Oh yeah? Throw in some guppies and see what happens to the babies...
I do it for fun and giggles...

 

[Anonymous]

I am ass-backwards. I started out 4 years ago with a reef tank.

Now I am setting up a planted tank too. I like the look of a well done planted tank with lots of fish.

I know it will never top my 75G reef, but the planted tank will be interesting on it's own.

Seems to me that fresh water tanks can handle more fish load per effort of maintanence.

Louey

 

[Tackett]

I dunno. Pirahnas, discus, many cool freshwater fish out there.