What is the difference?

[Criminal_Colt]

Ok, apart from the obvious addition of salt to the water what is the difference between saltwater and freshwater aquariums?

Are the processes very different? Do the fish have a lot more needs? Is the equipment a lot more advanced? More maintanance? etc etc etc

Not thinking of going into FW but I would like to learn more about it.

Yes I will of course check out all the stickies.

Colt :D

[Oliver]

Well, there are about a million things different from Fresh Water and Salt Water. To get some information get a book on Salt water from the library and look at heaps of websites. Also ask the person who werks at your Local fish store for information. There are heaps of stuff you need to know.

[Criminal_Colt]

Oh dear.

Well I'll leave it for now...it was one of those things I thought I would check out.

To me FW is a hobby and SW is an art. Just gotta love a full reef system setup.

Colt :D

[Oliver]

Ye it looks great. I am about to set one up now. If you are thinking of going into it however, do alot of research and reading, because there is alot of information to learn.

[Criminal_Colt]

Hah nah mate I'm not mad.

I think I need at least some FW experience before I go SW. I am aiming for SW perhaps in 5 years...thats when I'll be in my career...on $150,000 a year....have a house and an in built aquarium. :P

Colt :D

[mogurnda]

From my point of view, keeping a SW tank is similar to keeping a FW planted tank. More parameters to pay attention to, and you can't screw up as badly and get away with it.

[OrionGirl]

I agree with Dave--a planted tank is comparable, but still different. There's a difference in terms of equipment, and cost, but really, the maintenance on my reef is less than on my FW planted setups--fairly low-tech planted tanks at that.

[Criminal_Colt]

Orion can you suggest any reading material? (Online)

I'm looking for the basics and an equipment guide.

I just find the colours so much better when it comes to SW fish.

Thank you.

Colt :D

[OrionGirl]

Check out the magazine at reef central--pay lots of attention to Randy's articles on chemistry. http://reefkeeping.com/index.htm Lots of really good info--with both technical setups and more natural filtrations. It's a good viewpoint, but not the only one.

[Criminal_Colt]

Thanks again.

If I can add $200 AUS onto my budget and get SW I will seriously consider it.

Colt :D

[Criminal_Colt]

Aqua Pro CF-1500 1500lph $109.00

Pro Aqua 300w * Special * $12.00

Hydor THEO 300w THEO 300w $69.00

Resun Digital Thermometer DT-01 $14.90

Sub-Total: $204.90 AUS

So what would I need to add to that list? I wouldn't be stocking my tank very heavily at all to begin with. Firstly unless I wont be able to sustain 4 Clown Fish or equiv forget about an extra filter, I know I need one. I'm just wondering about additional equipment I havnt thought of yet.

Oh and I wont need a cooler will I? The tank is in the ground/basement level. One side is against earth one side has a window, its on a hill. Not sure about temperatures but we do get 40C outside in summer. (Sydney, Oz)

Colt :D

[OrionGirl]

Lighting for a reef, live rock. I wouldn't put a power filter on at all, just sand, live rock, and power heads for water movement.

Chillers can be added, but typically, tanks run around 80F (26-27C). With a big volume of water, it tends to be stable. A few small fans to move air around the surface is al that I've needed to keep my tank stable--though we haven't had many days that warm lately, but I do run metal hallides and they put off a lot of heat. If the inside of the house stays below 85 (30C), you should be fine.

[Criminal_Colt]

If the inside of the house stays below 85 (30C), you should be fine.

*sigh of relief*