Many a beginner fish keeper has struggled with the age old question...
should you start with a freshwater or saltwater aquarium? While it is recommended that an absolute beginner start with a freshwater tank, you can choose the saltwater option.
Just be ready for some work! The best option for a newcomer is a freshwater aquarium.
The reasons are that it is easier to set up and maintain than its saltwater cousin.
Also, it is easier to keep your freshwater fish healthy.
They tend to be less finicky and adapt to changes faster as well.
For the more experienced aquarist, the saltwater can be an exciting challenge.
All the variety of species, the plant life, coral, it is no wonder that many people are drawn to the intrinsic beauty of a saltwater aquarium.
When should you attempt to start a saltwater aquarium? It is recommended that you at least have successfully set up and maintained at least one freshwater fish tank.
And by that, I mean recently.
The tank you had as a kid where you watched your dad do all the work does not count! Saltwater fish are much more sensitive to change in their environment.
Not only do you need to be able to recognize this, but you need to have the experience at maintenance so that you can successfully care for their environment without harming your fish.
Finally the last thing to consider is the maintenance aspect of keeping a saltwater aquarium as opposed to a freshwater tank.
You will have to constantly monitor and maintain the correct salt level for your tank.
Should this level drop too much (which really is very little at all) your entire system is at risk.
You can wipe out every single one of your fish by improper maintenance.
This isn't meant to scare or dissuade you from pursuing raising saltwater fish.
However, do carefully consider the time and effort it will take.