Starting an Aquarium - Freshwater Tank or Saltwater Tank

If you are a first time buyer of aquarium it is better to consider freshwater tanks since fresh water tank requires lesser maintenance than saltwater tanks. The saltwater tank looks attractive and provides the option to keep a variety of interesting fishes, but it is quite difficult to maintain them. To get experienced in maintaining a saltwater tank, it may take several months for an amateur owner, however if you are prepared for a steep learning curve you may start off with a saltwater tank straight away.

The equipments required for a fresh water tank is less expensive than the saltwater equipments. The maintenance is also tiresome in case of saltwater tank. Setting up a fresh water tank is easier comparing to saltwater tank. Marine fishes suitable for saltwater tank are much expensive than freshwater fish varieties.

Live rocks are usually preferred for saltwater tanks and they are expensive but it serves as a biological filter in the saltwater aquariums. Live rocks are obtained from coral reefs with live organisms still sustaining in the rock. Organisms such as sponges, algae, urchins and worms play an important part in the nitrogen cycle allowing the fish wastes to be transformed to less toxic forms.

The salt water tank should be more or less similar to the natural sea environment where the production of food and oxygen is naturally taken care of. A protein skimmer should be purchased if live rocks are used as filtration system. Protein skimmer helps in removing organic wastes from the saltwater tank before they get mixed with water.

The expenses in terms of setting up lighting system for the saltwater tank are higher comparing with a freshwater tank. The photosynthesis in the plants and other organisms helps to keep the tank properly oxygenated. The growth and behavior of the fishes and other creatures in the tank largely responds to lighting. Hence they have to be provided with correct lighting.

Maintenance required for a saltwater tank is higher than the maintenance of freshwater aquarium since unlike the freshwater aquarium, the saltwater tank requires an ecosystem that is functional and complete to ensure the survival of the saltwater fishes. An eco system is general means the balance between organisms that assists in the functionality of the environment.

Similarly in a saltwater tank the eco system has to be in perfect balance for the survival of the fishes by keeping required plants and animals and other creatures. If this balance is not maintained, the salt water fishes cannot survive for long. Hence maintaining them requires thorough knowledge of the ecosystem in the saltwater tank.

Hence if you are planning to go for an aquarium for your home, it is better to analyse the pros and cons of both freshwater tank and saltwater tank. Since the expenses and maintenance are high in term of saltwater tank it is preferred to start with a freshwater tank. Gradually over months you can gain experience in maintaining a freshwater aquarium and can eventually venture into going for a saltwater tank.

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