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Re: Don't discount saltwater as a beginner (Reply to this comment)
by asafono
Laura,
I think your comment - thank you! - should be a review in its own right.
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May 05 '08
5:18 am PDT
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Don't discount saltwater as a beginner (Reply to this comment)
by lschofield
As a child, my parents bought freshwater aquariums for me and (as is usually the case) took care of them.
As an adult, I set up the saltwater aquarium that I had always wanted. I have a "fish-only-with-live-rock" (FOWLR) setup and am not confident enough to try corals or a full reef tank even after approximately 4 years of saltwater aquarium experience.
Saltwater tanks require an understanding of basic water chemistry, just like freshwater tanks. To be successful, you should read up and get to know the nitrogen cycle (ammonia, nitrite and nitrate), pH, KH or 'buffering', and specific gravity (measurement of salinity). The only topic of saltwater aquaria keeping that is not required in freshwater aquaria keeping is that regarding salinity. The purchase of a hydrometer to read your water's specific gravity is all that is required to monitor that (around $5 to $25 depending what you get). As said earlier, you must understand these topics for either freshwater or saltwater if you do not want your fish to die. Improperly caring for fish is just as inhuman as getting other types of pets and killing them through ignorance and neglect. Saltwater fish are less tolerant to poor water quality than freshwater fish are, but your goal for either variety should be perfect water conditions.
If you choose to get a full reef tank, you will need to monitor additional water additives that provide food for your corals and invertebrates (strontium & molybdenum, calcium and iodine). Lighting also plays a very important role in reef aquariums, as many corals and invertebrates rely on photosynthesis for their foods. Finally, reef aquariums are the least tolerant of water impurities. My advice is to avoid reef aquariums unless you have some experience with other aquaria. Someone else may prove me wrong though!
Salt water fish should optimally have proper lighting (metal halide) which is more expensive than what is required for freshwater fish. A protein skimmer is another necessary piece of equipment for saltwater aquariums (look at $75 or upwards). Protein skimmers will not work in freshwater set-ups because they rely on the friction occurring in saltwater, and thus are only necessary for salt-water aquariums. A heater and thermometer (and potentially a chiller for warm locations or during the summer) are also a requirement for saltwater fish that are highly sensitive to temperature changes. RODI filtration systems, canister filters and UV sterilizers are brought up, but I don't use any of these and don't have a problem. The substrate of a saltwater tank (as opposed to freshwater gravel) is another concern and another aspect that is more expensive. I'd recommend getting some 'live sand' or just an aragonite sand and let it become 'live' from your live rock. Live rock helps your 'biological filter' (see the nitrogen cycle) and also improves the look of your aquarium. The cost for live rock can go from very expensive to mildly expensive.
All in all, the trick to a saltwater aquarium is to take your time. I'd start with substrate and water only (and the necessary lighting, heating and filtration) and let that sit for a few weeks. After that you can add your live rock. Most fish stores will have already 'cured' your live rock, but I would again let your aquarium sit for a month or so after adding live rock. You may want to add a 'clean-up crew' at this point (crabs, snails, shrimps) and maybe a few invertebrates (a feather duster or two). After that, you can VERY gradually add fish (one at a time, or at the most, a pair at a time). Good fish for beginners are royal grammas, clown fish, damsel fish, etc... Read up on your fish compatibility and constantly monitor your water quality and parameters. Perform weekly 10% water changes until your biological filter is established. You'll need to do this for about 6 months to a year - then it gets easier.
This advice is the same as that for freshwater, just with a few extra pieces of equipment / aquaria. Once your aquarium has been set up for a few years, your 'biological filter' will be mature and self-containing almost. I'm really negligent at times on my tank maintenance, going way too long between water changes and not monitoring my parameters at all. Every time I check pH, specific gravity, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate I get perfect readings though. I am at least regular about refilling evaporated water and feeding the fish. And - I don't keep corals because I couldn't add my chemicals regularly enough for them.
All in all, don't be afraid of saltwater. If you have enough patience for a freshwater tank, you probably have enough to start out with salt water as well! If you don't understand any of the concepts or equipment I've brought up here, read about them before trying out a salt water aquarium. You'll need to do lots of reading - be sure that salt water aquariums are really a big enough interest to you. Also, if you travel alot or are away from home for extended periods of time, I would not recommend a saltwater aquarium. They DO need daily maintenance, even if it is just feeding the fish and turning the lights on/off - looking at your fish to be sure they're not sick, etc...
Whatever your choice, good luck to you and find a good online forum for your particular type of aquarium, fresh or salt water.
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May 04 '08
8:14 pm PDT
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Great Review (Reply to this comment)
by Ladysmom,  in Pets
Jon is right, this is a great review. You have given some wonderful advice for those that want to go into this hobby.
I hope to see many more reviews by you.
Billie
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Jan 07 '04
7:49 pm PST
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Re: Great review and thanks for the free plug :) (Reply to this comment)
by asafono
Thanks for the compliment. As for the plug, I give credit where credit is due :)
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Jan 07 '04
4:31 pm PST
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Great review and thanks for the free plug :) (Reply to this comment)
by opinionated3
I have been away from the Aquaria hobby for quite sometime, but I am considering getting back into it. This is an excellent review and I hope to read more of your reviews in the future. Thanks for mentioning me and adding the link to my review.
Jon
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Jan 07 '04
3:38 pm PST
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