Honestly,how hard is it?

**SCcten** · 03-07-2010, 02:33 AM

I have a 125gal freshwater tank that is going great. I have freshwater down pretty good. My tank is stable and healthy and all my fish are doing good.
I am thinking about venturing into the world of saltwater. I would maybe get a 65 gal or larger and do just fish,not a reef tank. I know it is more work than freshwater but really am I doomed or could I pull it and how does it vary from fw in terms of day to day maintenise

**Chris5150** · 03-07-2010, 04:08 AM

Originally Posted by SCcten

I have a 125gal freshwater tank that is going great. I have freshwater down pretty good. My tank is stable and healthy and all my fish are doing good.
I am thinking about venturing into the world of saltwater. I would maybe get a 65 gal or larger and do just fish,not a reef tank. I know it is more work than freshwater but really am I doomed or could I pull it and how does it vary from fw in terms of day to day maintenise

There is more water testing involved ( calcium, hardness, phosphate ) and more things to monitor. Extra day to day maintenance would be topping off your tank with fresh water due to evaporation and testing the sailinty. Saltwater is more difficult in a sense that you have to know what your doing before it happens and you need to be very patient. Take your time with stocking, read, and research.

**korith** · 03-07-2010, 04:24 AM

Originally Posted by SCcten

I have a 125gal freshwater tank that is going great. I have freshwater down pretty good. My tank is stable and healthy and all my fish are doing good.
I am thinking about venturing into the world of saltwater. I would maybe get a 65 gal or larger and do just fish,not a reef tank. I know it is more work than freshwater but really am I doomed or could I pull it and how does it vary from fw in terms of day to day maintenise

The advice from chris is very true. Read, ask questions, and research some more. I've got all the parts for my 40g fowlr set up but haven't added any livestock still. Been sitting like that for about 6 months. Keep changing my mind on what I'd like to keep.

Seems like a lot more water testing and keeping parameters in check. I think its doable you got a good foundation just from keeping fw, more so than someone new jumping into the hobby.

**sheamurai** · 03-07-2010, 01:14 PM

Ditto above. Its not harder, its just more.
And less rule bending - in FW you can sometimes do your own thing and it may or may not work - in saltwater not so much - "do it right or suffer the consequences".

**kaybee** · 03-07-2010, 02:27 PM

While there are differences betwen FW and SW, I think a saltwater tank with just fish and no corals and inverts isn't that much more complicated than a freshwater tank.

In my opinion there are a lot less parameters to monitor in a FOWLR (Fish Only w/Live Rock) aquarium once the tank is fully cycled when compared to a reef tank.