Benefits/cons?

[crazychristian]

I have decided on a saltwater aquarium, and I have heard of this reef aquariums thing for quite some time. A reef aquarium is just an aquarium with coral in it right? And what are the pro's vs. cons of having a reef aquarium?

[cocoa_pleco]

reefs have fish+corals

pros are its more natural, looks nicer, and the fish love it, cons are its not for beginners

[Nautilus29]

Well some cons is the extra costs you will have in setting them up, Lighting being one of the biggest, and the corals themselves can run you alot of money.

The pros is how your tank will look with them in there!! Its a big plus, Other than that im not sure becuase I only have freshwater tanks.

[crazychristian]

Well then, it seems like I won't set up a reef aquarium until I get my SW aquarium going, and I get the hang of what I am doing. Its already (from what I gathered) going to be hard work. But I can't believe how much I have learned from you guys. You are awesome! thanks!:19:

[Tigerbarb]

The cons are that you will be putting more $$$ into your tank, that you will have to spend more time monitering your tank, more work, and the fact that you will have to do more research. The main pro is that the tank will be more interesting and beautiful. It will also provide your fish with more realistic aquascape conditions.

Yeah, I think you should do SW for a while before going for the full blown reef. It will ease you into the marine aquarium hobby.

[jbeining75]

Reefs

Pros: Very rewarding, live rock and live sand act as natural biological filter. Cleaners pull the debris up. A proper salt tank doesn't even need a filter. Rock, sand and a protein skimmer with a good sump will take care of everything.

Cons: Very time consuming, very expensive... A 30 gallon full reef will run you over 1500 just to start them another 300-500 in corals, shroms, fish etc over the year or so it will take to establish it.

[jimpierce]

huh............. nobody told me I had an option of doing just salt water. So I, a beginner, had the privilege of jumping in both feet first. My "couple hundred dollar" project turned out to be so much more. I have no regrets though. But it has been a lot of work.