Is fresh or saltwater better, and why so?

[Mr. Seahorse]

Do you like fresh or saltwater better, and why? Please share comments below!
Happy Saturday!

 

[AndynotDrew]

I feel like the barrier for entry is lower with freshwater. You can usually get your feet wet for a lower cost, and can also lead into more advanced systems if you enjoy it so it’s great.
If you learn that you like the hobby I think the curiosity to try saltwater will always come up. Took me years to try it and sure glad I did! No turning back now lol. Learning more and more everyday and starting up my budget tank today.

 

[Mr. Seahorse]

I feel like the barrier for entry is lower with freshwater. You can usually get your feet wet for a lower cost, and can also lead into more advanced systems if you enjoy it so it’s great.
If you learn that you like the hobby I think the curiosity to try saltwater will always come up. Took me years to try it and sure glad I did! No turning back now lol. Learning more and more everyday and starting up my budget tank today.

I agree. For me I like both since they require different skills.

 

[Kensington Reefer]

The beauty of a SW aquarium is that, for the most part, all inhabitants have the same water chemistry parameters.
FW on the other hand, tends to be a mixture of various species from various environments with their own particular water chemistry.
(With the exception of biome specific aquarium)

 

[TheRealMadMax]

My high school son has a freshwater tank. Since getting a girlfriend the tank maintance has dropped off a bit and all the fish and plants are mostly still happy. So much more forgiving than our saltwater tank where keeping everything in check requires constant diligence.

 

[L/B Block]

I think it really depends on the goal. In FW I have seen really neat planted tanks and some really neat aquascaping! You can’t have plants in a sw tank though. And you can’t have coral in a FW tank.

My father had pools of angelfish fairly easily growing up. I think FW is by far easier to maintain but I love the corals and I think SW fish are prettier and more exotic.

 

[Mr. Seahorse]

There is some very cool freshwater things like Sulawesi shrimp, crawfish, Plecos, Archerfish which adds excitement. But freshwater I feel is easier but they both have + and - of different things.
Right now I like Freshwater a bit more but saltwater is amazing for inverts!

 

[jhuynh]

i prefer saltwater due to the endless colors of a tank.

previous fresh water tank 120gal: silver arowana, jardini arowana, louhan, charming phoenix, red parrots, and gold wide bar datnoids.

if i were to get my hands and money on an asian arowana - red chili or any type of blue xback, i would go back to freshwater, but still keep my sps dominate tank.

edit:
freshwater = $
saltwater = $$$+

 

[Mr. Seahorse]

Neptune had some cool types of Arowana's on Tuesday!

 

[requiem]

After doing saltwater for about 2-3 months now, my freshwater tanks feel like a walk in the park!

gotta reach your hand in to grab something? no prob. whereas my saltwater tanks I feel like I must wear my hazmat suit lol

 

[DaddyHook]

The best of the two is the one you like the most.

 

[tribbitt]

My freshwater tank has taken a backseat since my saltwater tank came, and I think if anything it's been enjoying the peace. I top up water and feed a couple times a week, and that's all that happens. A few times a year I'll change out the water with some RODI when I notice the TDS creep up, and that's about it.

It's actually overdue for some trimming. I should get a better light too.

 

[Mr. Seahorse]

The best of the two is the one you like the most.

For me it can vary so I have both

 

[richiev]

I voted freshwater. I think the amano style (modernly I follow Oliver Knott on IG) are the peak of aquariums. I however will never even try to do one given how much of a hassle even basic freshwater planted aquariums are, nevertheless how much maintenance seems to be involved in one that's growing well.

Reef tanks are also wonderful, but those tanks are another level.

Also freshwater seems far less damaging and wasteful to my understanding. A lot more captive breeding, a lot less electricity usage, easier water disposal / reuse, and so on.