Freshwater Vs Marine

[EX1EY]

Just interested to know what everybody prefers about freshwater tropicals over marine?

EDIT TITLE SHOUL BE FRESHWATER VS MARINE

 

[CezzaXV]

I would love a marine tank, but that's a whole different ball park. Marine setups are so much more expensive, the fish are expensive and take alot more maintenance, care and know-how than us tropical fishkeepers who change the water and then test it every once in a while.

BTW, your title isn't quite right. Tropical fish ARE freshwater (most of the time), then you get tropical fish who prefer slightly brackish (salty) water, then marine fish are full on saltwater.

 

[EX1EY]

I would love a marine tank, but that's a whole different ball park. Marine setups are so much more expensive, the fish are expensive and take alot more maintenance, care and know-how than us tropical fishkeepers who change the water and then test it every once in a while.

BTW, your title isn't quite right. Tropical fish ARE freshwater (most of the time), then you get tropical fish who prefer slightly brackish (salty) water, then marine fish are full on saltwater.

Thanks for the reply. And thanks for pointing out the title. I know this already of course, title was a mistake, meant to be freshwater vs marine

 

[soybean]

Marines are expensive compared to freshwater, mistakes can be costly, and I simply cannot be bothered with the maintenance required.

 

[EX1EY]

I was hoping for a more affectionate reply in favour of freshwater, but so far it seems to be the cost barrier

 

[soybean]

Ok. I prefer the natural look of wood and plants in a tank versus the usual set up of live rock in a marine tank. I love the variety of freshwater fish. I like the simplicity of the tank care required. I think many freshwater fish such as cichlids have a lot more personality. I'd have a marine tank if someone paid for it and set it up for me, but I don't think I'll ever bother otherwise, whereas I would probably spend my last penny on the perfect freshwater setup of my dreams.

 

[MegaZerino]

i would love a marine tank, but as everyone said its just too expensive, and you have to know alot more about compatability and feeding corals and everything like that which you dont have to worry about with tropical, and plus they are much easier to set up and maintain.

 

[lljdma06]

Once you go marine, though, oh WOW! I love my Marine tanks.

L

 

[CezzaXV]

I was hoping for a more affectionate reply in favour of freshwater, but so far it seems to be the cost barrier

I much prefer the look of a marine tank, I am in complete awe every time I go into the marine section at my LFS. One day I might take the plunge and go for it. That's not to say tropical fish aren't beautiful in their own right. I think marine fish are more beautiful but tropical fish are a better compromise between gorgeousness, cost and the amount of maintenance I'm willing to put into it.

 

[dwarfgourami]

For me, the thing I enjoy most about fishkeeping is breeding. Nothing like peering into the tank first thing in the morning and spotting a tiny baby of a species you've never bred before.

Ok, I know there are marine fish that can be bred in captivity, but even if you select your species carefully there is a big chance it will never happen. My aim is to breed 1-2 new species a year: I reckon I'd run out of species quite quickly if I went saltwater.

And just the range of species with freshwater; there's so much you can do, even with limited space.

And like soybean I like the green and wood colours.

If you gave me the money to set up a marine tank I'd spend it on 8 breeding tanks instead

 

[Livewire88]

When I first decided to keep fish I was 100% set on a Marine tank, but once I did the reasearch to find out what was necessary to keep a Healthy marine tank I took a step back and decided to go with Fresh Water

In a few years time I hope to take the big step and keep a Healthy Marine tank.

IMHO Marine Fish look a lot lot nicer than normal tropical fish, and Corals are

 

[Westwood]

I think a well done Planted setup can look just as good as a marine tank.

Westwood

 

[Xraymark]

Marine tanks are lovely and the fish are so colourful but if you look at enough of them they all look the same. Bar lldjma06 planted marine.
I think most planted tanks are very individual and look more attractive than marines.
Still would like a marine though.

 

[Lufbramatt]

Marine have the instant wow factor but for me the interest is in the behaviour and character of fish, that's what keep people watching for hours on end. Certain tropicals, especially cichlids, have this by the shedload. Price isn't so much of an issue, some of the more unusual tang cichlids can he just as expensive as marine stock, but the effort and time needed isn't for me. I live in a hard water area, so I can just add dechlorinator to tap water and dump it straight in. Far less to worry about.

 

[minnnt]

marine is something that has never really floated my boat. The natural look of plants, wood, rocks, different substrates etc has always been far more appealing to me for some reason. The fish are no where near as vibrant in freshwater though.

Marine would appear to be a hell of a lot more expensive though which is another plus side for tropical.

But... NEVER say never.