How much

[Mongrel]

How much more is it to start and maintain a SW aquarium than a FW one. A 55 gallon.


Mongrel's Place (http://home.attbi.com/~mongrel74)

[Trigger]

My words "Not Much"

My Wife's Words "TOO **** MUCH"!!

Good Luck..,

[Walrus]

Thats really a subjective question. A fish-only tank will be cheaper than a reef tank. Give us some more details about your plans and then we can narrow down an answer for you.

[Mongrel]

At the moment I don't have plans for a SW tank. I want to get the hang of my FW first. Once I get that all settled maybe I will start to research and think about a fish only tank first and if that goes well I will look into a reef tank.


Mongrel's Place (http://home.attbi.com/~mongrel74)

[Walrus]

In the SW community there is always a natural progression towards a reef tank. Most people start out with a FO tank and move to a full blown reef once they master the basics. Its really a good idea to have a long term goal in mind when you start your tank. If you know without a doubt that you will only be doing a FO tank then you can skimp on the lighting and go with NO bulbs. Otherwise your better off to buy stonger lighting from the get go, that way your not wasting money for the NO lights only to upgrade to MH,VHO,PC later down the road.

I would read anything and everything you can. www.wetwebmedia.com is a great place to start and learn about SW tanks, this will help you get a feeling for what you would like to keep. If your new to fish keeping it will be easier for you to learn because mainting a SW aquarium is quite different than a FW tank. FW people always have a tough time understanding why most of us dont use HOB or canister filters. These type of filters are beat into your head in the FW community. In saltwater they are nothing more than a glorified powerhead.

Good luck and prepare to spend countless hours reading!

[Mongrel]

Thanks Walrus I will look into that link and bookmark it. I would like to think that eventually to have a full blown reef..time will tell.

Mongrel's Place (http://home.attbi.com/~mongrel74)

[OrionGirl]

One thing to keep in mind--there is a difference in FW tank costs as well. I spend less money on my FW planted tank, but way more time goes into it. Once setup, SW tanks have the ongoing cost of salt and additivies, but planted tanks require fertilization and CO2, so the SW is only a little ahead. Lighting can run the same for either system, depending on what you want to keep, etc. The bulbs have to be replaced just as often for both. Initial setup costs are definitely higher for SW compared to setting up a small community tank, but if you have some of the rarer FW fish, it can average out about the same.

And, being bang-up top notch with a FW tank won't prepare you for a SW tank. You'll actually have to 'un-learn' some FW habits.

[C2C_SUB1313]

LMAO Trigger,


looks like my wife and yours should get together.... on second thoughts maybe not as i will never have another tank again lol


ok what i have spent so far....

my 2 foot salt owes me just on $300 australian.

my new 8 foot tank will owe me omg nearly $2500 australian

now i know why my wife is upset all the time..


hope it helps

[C2C_SUB1313]

sorry i should have added.... the 8 foot is tank and sump plus a good pump and skimmer


sorry all