Freshwater vs Saltwater

**Murder after Midnight** · 03-13-2006, 04:55 PM

Thinking of starting a new tank(55-125 gallon) should I start a freshwater or saltwater tank, do any of you guys have either type of tank I know this a muscle car forum but come on........... I know some of you guys have tanks.

***Ed Blown Vert*** · 03-13-2006, 05:05 PM

I never had a freshwater. Started with a saltwater tank. Bit of a pain to maintain. But the fish are so much nicer looking.

If you don't have the time, a freshwater would be your choice.

**Danger731** · 03-13-2006, 05:07 PM

REEFCENTRAL.COM - It's a forum like this I go to.

You can always go FOWLR - fish only with live rock. You don't need special lighting requirements or other additives that must be monitored.

**jking** · 03-13-2006, 05:14 PM

Haha..

I thought this was a fishing thread.

That'll teach me to read the first post before voting..

Carry on.

**D!ck** · 03-13-2006, 05:15 PM

two words. STAR FISH.

voitan and marine betta ta boot

**predator** · 03-13-2006, 05:16 PM

fresh water man... you are looking at dropping like $3 to $4k on an OK stet up at 100 if you go SW... if you like the way SW looks just do some malwian cichlids... most ppl have no idea they are FW... SW is a PITA...

**Modulistic** · 03-13-2006, 05:21 PM

freshwater oscars.

**Murder after Midnight** · 03-13-2006, 05:21 PM

Damn thanks for the fast responses guys,predator why would it cost 3-5k to start a 55-125 gallon salt tank is there something I'm missing here?

**Modulistic** · 03-13-2006, 05:49 PM

you need protein skimmers and big filters, and the fish are fucking expensive, the salt mix is expensive, lots of equipment, lamps, live rock costs a shitload if you want it. I think it pretty critical to move the water around moreso than a freshwater, they need current, and high volume filters arent cheap.

thats about all I know about salt water tanks.

**Murder after Midnight** · 03-13-2006, 06:06 PM

Modlistic I see your point man I use to have some oscars a long time ago, jackdempsey to, but it's been 12 years since then and I had always wanted to go salt back then but man with all of that crap you listed damn.......that's a lot of stuff

ls2goat · 03-13-2006, 07:57 PM

I run a 35G Blackwater tank with Barbs and all real plants. It looks much better than a tank w/ fake plants and crystal water. I've got a mix of Tiger, Green and Albino barbs.. They make for a very intersting tank as far as activity. Since I'm running the water through Peet Moss, I have very little upkeep on pH, Nitro-Cycle, Hardness, etc. It pretty much keeps itself.

**INandOUTBurger** · 03-13-2006, 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by Murder after Midnight

Modlistic I see your point man I use to have some oscars a long time ago, jackdempsey to, but it's been 12 years since then and I had always wanted to go salt back then but man with all of that crap you listed damn.......that's a lot of stuff

even more so is how stable are you

are you single and renting and move every two years

or do you have a wife a kid a dog and a turtle.....if you already are tied down and stable, then having a salt tank is just another thing to do

if you move every 18-24 months then a salt tank is a HUGE pain in the ass....and about the time you really get it rocking it will be time to break it down (kill a couple of things by accident) then move and set it up again and try and get it back rolling good

i love fresh and salt, but fresh is 70% easier and probably 70% cheaper to set up and 70% cheaper to own....and a shit load easier to break down and move

i think just as big a key to any kickass tank is the stuffs you have besides fish.....like plants and live rocks and crap like that.....and up to 50 gallons is about the same to break down and move as a smaller tank (less the bigger size) so go bigger if you have the space.....can make way cooler stuffs

ls2goat · 03-13-2006, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by INandOUTBurger

and a shit load easier to break down and move

For sure. I was able to break my entire 35G system and stand down, load it from a 28th floor apt in downtown Chicago and move it to Naperville all by myself.

This was in a 2005 GTO and I didn't lose one single plant or fish in the process.

**DrMilhouse** · 03-14-2006, 02:48 AM

I second the reefcentral.com site. I'm there when I have the time.

I have a 125 that's built into my wall. I'll dig around for some pics.

**DrMilhouse** · 03-14-2006, 02:51 AM

I don't really have time to repost all the pics, just go to the thread where they've already been posted.

Clicky

**INandOUTBurger** · 03-14-2006, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by DrMilhouse

I don't really have time to repost all the pics, just go to the thread where they've already been posted.

Clicky

very nice bunch of softs there milhouse

what is your lighting....you must have good lights to keep that soft stuff so nice

and good filtration too

**Motrv8d Steve** · 03-14-2006, 03:08 PM

the colors are so outrageous for SW.
I had FW a few years ago, just a small 20gal.
FW is def a lot easier, dat fo sho.
but if you have the time, I imagine the SW is very rewarding and beautiful for the house as well. jmho

**predator** · 03-14-2006, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by Modulistic

you need protein skimmers and big filters, and the fish are fucking expensive, the salt mix is expensive, lots of equipment, lamps, live rock costs a shitload if you want it. I think it pretty critical to move the water around moreso than a freshwater, they need current, and high volume filters arent cheap.

thats about all I know about salt water tanks.

a buddy of mine has a 55 thats been up for a year... and its just now starting to thrive... he got a deal on live rock and still has about $400 worth... of friggin rock...

and no oscars... not a large enough tank... i had a brackish 55 with 2 eels in it... salt is a hassle...

-me

oh yeah and its cost is all initial (or mostly) reef ready tank or have your tank drilled or uses an over the back overflow ($120 or so), lights, sump, RO filter, protein skimmer, live rock, a claenup crew... and so for th so on... and you wont see results for prolly a year...

is it worth it? maybe