Keeping fish is a great hobby and one that can be enjoyed from a young age. Though relatively easy to keep, there are a few choices that need to be made before you head to your local fish store and purchase your aquarium.

There are differences between having a freshwater and a saltwater aquarium and the types of fish that are required in each setting. If this is your first time with an aquarium many expert recommends that it is best to choose a freshwater aquarium in your initial set up.

The primary reasoning behind this is that freshwater tanks are the easier of the two to maintain and secondly, the cost of freshwater fish is more reasonable for a first attempt. Keeping fish successfully is learned by trial and error and losing less expensive fish is easier on the budget.

What to Consider

Beginners should go with the most common rectangular 55 gallon tank and choosing an all glass aquarium will ensure easier clean up with very little effort. Fish are active and require space to grow so keep in mind your surroundings and adjust the size of tank accordingly.

Freshwater and saltwater aquariums can both be fish only aquariums but many choose to have a more colorful environment with plants, rocks, and coral. Be sure to discuss your choice of tank with knowledgeable staff when you stock your aquarium, as each requires a different set up for best results with saltwater being the more involved of the two.

Basically the same filtration, heating and lighting is needed for both aquariums but a saltwater tank will need more advanced equipment. Depending on how well you stock the aquarium, your filtration system should be able to handle the waste matter that the fish will produce. Check with the staff for the best system that will fit within your budget.

Salt is obviously the most common difference between the two tanks and also the critical levels of ph, saline, nitrates, calcium and temperature need to be balanced to keep your fish healthy. Both tanks have different parameters and it's important to learn the different elements required for each.

Choosing the right kinds of fish for a harmonious tank is just as important. You must not overcrowd the tank and you cannot select a group of fish to live together based on your likes. Predatory and aggressive fish will attack the meeker fish so gather information on which species adapts wells with each other to avoid the unnecessary loss of fish.

It is important to remember that a fish tank should never be in direct sunlight,but artificial lighting that can be regulated with a timer is a perfect solution for lighting as well as maintaining a healthy eco system.

The Pros of Each

Fresh water fish are less costly, easier to breed and maintain and are more tolerant to errors to their environment.

Saltwater fish are more colorful, and keeping their environment pristine is an advantage for those who prefer a more hands on approach to having an aquarium.

Deciding which tank is right for you needs careful consideration. Take the time to do some thorough research before making your decision and think ahead for future tank expansions while in the planning stages.

Starting small may well be the best way to approach this new hobby. You can learn the types of fish you enjoy most and grow from there.