Fresh or Saltwater?

[Greyfolk]

Okay, I am at a crossroads. I need some wisdom and info from some in here.
I am about to get into Mpimbwe Fronts. I really think that they are
beautiful and would like to think about breeding them. I want to but a
large tank to house about 10. 150 gal? I think if I stay with freshwater
this is the route for me. I really think Fronts are gorgeous.

BUT, I'm also thinking about going the saltwater route. I love coral,
anemones and saltwater fish can be soo bizarre. The problem here would be
money I think. I can get obsessive and I am still in school. My wife and I
are going to buy our first house in Tallahassee and I have some really neat
connections in the FL Keys for saltwater fish.

What are the primary differences between a salt and freshwater set-up? What
are the filtration needs for such a large tank? Where can I look for a
guide to this as well as pricing?

Glass or acrylic? Doesn't acrylic scratch easily?

Thanks,
-Muuurgh

--
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wondered whose it was and whether they were enjoying it."
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[jastormont]

I think they can both cost $$$$ to either system properly. I think Salt can be ok with pproper research, as I have found this with my adventure in to salt. I too like Fronts and was thinking of doing a tank at one stage but to be honest Slat is so much more intresting. I suggest you look into what they call a Berline system for Salt water and you may be surprised at how it works. I am using this sytems and so far it is working well (although I have only had it setup for about 2 months). I have seen a 250Gallon tank using this sytem and works wonderfully well. All he has is a large Skimmer and a Nitrate remover. He has no sump no other filter system at all other then the Skimmer and the Live rock. He has M/H lighting but does not even have a chiller and he is in Australia where it can get really hot. I guess everyone can get diffrent results that work for them. But seeing how simple of setup he has and how wonderful it looks I think it is amazing.

 

[fishaholic911]

If you where to set up a 150 for fish only the cost is in the live rock not that much different then freshwater maybe 300 more. you will not need mechanical filtration two fluval 404 would cost 200 or so instead you will need a protien skimmer asm g-3 will cost 240 .a sump and pump will cost 350 or so if you do a reef plan on about 500-1000 for lighting

 

[AllenFord_SC]

I think you will get a pretty biased opinion asking fresh or salt on a reef website. Salt is much more exspensive but 10 times more rewarding than fresh. I have done discus, african, and planted fresh tanks, and none of them gave me the feeling I get from my reef tank.

Basically the main difference, besides salt, is going to be in the lighting, flow and filtration required by marine animals. You are trying to recreate the ocean instead of a pond or lake.

Filtration:
Salt tanks rely onm three main types of filtration. Mechanical, biological, and chemical. Protein skimmers are really the only main item that is used on salt tanks that is not used on fresh. Canister filters and power filters are not used as they are on fresh tanks, with the exception of running chemical filtration media such as carbon or phosphate media.

Lighting:
We could go all day discussing lighting requirements, but the main difference is salt tanks will require much more than fresh. Marine life thrives on stronger lighting.

Flow:
You will need lots of flow in a salt tank, again recreating the ocean, unlike fresh tanks.

Water Quality:
I can remember times of filling my fresh tanks up with the hose and just adding clorine remover...... sigh. Salt water needs pure h2o from an RO/DI unit because most marine life requires pristine water conditions.

There is a vast amount of info to be found on this website along with www.reefkeeping.com

Hope this helps and...

[welcome]