Comments on: Difference between a saltwater aquarium and freshwater?

By: danielle Z

danielle Z — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:50:27 +0000

Honestly with a 20 gallon, not much. Usually a salt tank will run a protein skimmer not so much a filter, however, I have many salt and fresh tanks and my 30 gallon doesn’t have a skimmer. It has a whisper filter on it and gravel on the bottom. No fancy lighting no UV sterilizer nothing. Just a tank that could very easily be converted to fresh water.

Most people assume you need all this fancy equipment to have salt and you do not. It all boils down to what you are willing to take care of.

I find the 30 with the whisper is easier to clean since the filter is pulling the uneaten foods and debris from the water.

Advanced salt hobbiest have "upgraded" or different types of equipment since it makes the tank more self sufficient for the fish, inverts and corals.

In short: a tank, filter, heater, lights, salt, water and gravel this is for a salt tank

a Tank, filter, heater, lights, water and gravel this is for a fresh.

The tank you have can be used for salt as well.

By: Jacob H

Jacob H — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:50:27 +0000

The difference is that the filter, and etc. are made for freshwater. A saltwater one would need different stuff because of the salt.

By: crazydave

crazydave — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:50:27 +0000

A saltwater tank requires a lot more maintenance and the fish are a lot more expensive, even though they are a lot more colorful and unique. And most aquarium stores only guarantee saltwater fish for a short period of time, so if one dies on you, you’re out a lot of money.

By: princess92596

princess92596 — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:50:27 +0000

OK, I can help on this one. First off, if you have never had a tank before, I do not recommend a saltwater tank, you will be pulling your hair out by the months end. Freshwater tanks are much easier (and cheaper) to keep. Saltwater fish are expensive, time consuming and difficult for a person new to keeping fish to handle. I have had a 55 gallon freshwater tank for 7 years and I love it! I had a saltwater tank for over 2 years, and let me tell you, quite a few fish met their demise at my inexperienced hand. I recently got rid of the saltwater tank due to the fact that it required WAY too much upkeep. I spent most of my free time (and money) trying to keep everything in order and really just got tired of it. I recommend going with a freshwater setup, you will spend way more time enjoying the tank instead of cleaning, testing water and buying expensive additives for your tank!!!

By: lilyounglady12

lilyounglady12 — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:50:27 +0000

A salt water aquarium is usually salty and a lot more expensive plus you need at least a 75 gallon tank for those. A freshwater aquarium is usually a little less expensive than a salt one and there is generally a small amount of salt usually for healing or mollies.

By: Esmi G

Esmi G — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:50:27 +0000

Saltwater is for more advanced and would you LOTS OF MONEY!and Freshwater is for begginers that are still lerning about the ways of freshwater fish.