what is the difference between tropical fish tanks and marine fish tanks?
Hi I looking to start a hobby in keeping fish. I have been reading for hours on the internet and there is so much information to take in. it all sounds so confusing. all i am really gathering from all the info is that marine fish seem so hard to keep. is it really that difficult.
thank you
Tropical is fresh water but you need a heater to keep the water warm
Salt water is a marine tank i have both fresh water and a reef tank i would advice any one that is starting out to get a tropical tank or a cold water tank problem with Marine is they are less forgiving than freshwater tanks and very expensive if you make a mistake
tropical fish need warmer water where as marine fish are happy with room temp
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Tropical is fresh water but you need a heater to keep the water warm
Salt water is a marine tank i have both fresh water and a reef tank i would advice any one that is starting out to get a tropical tank or a cold water tank problem with Marine is they are less forgiving than freshwater tanks and very expensive if you make a mistake
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marine is a salt water tank and you just need to by salt and tropical fish is regular water. It’s not easy sometimes if you start a marine tank make sure you put in a few live rock and a few coral frags and you need about a 25-30 gallon tank
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i own one myself
yes it is much more difficult to keep a marine tank. You have to do weekly water checks to find out if the salt level is correct. I advice that you start out with a freshwater tank. Preferably, put fish that are easy, beginner fish, such as guppies or mollies. Those will help you get started. Also, saltwater tanks cost much more. After a few years with freshwater fish you can switch to saltwater.
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Technically, just about every fish sold in the trade is "Tropical." Tropical refers to the temperature. Cold water fish sold in the trade include goldfish, minnows, and *some* varieties of guppies.
The differences between Freshwater and Marine are endless. If you’ve done some reading you can tell that much. Of course, the differences between freshwater and freshwater can be extreme also.
Marine aquariums are Expensive. They take much more dedication and time committed to learning. You have to pay attention and commit yourself in a way that most freshwater tanks don’t require.
It may or may not be "harder." I don’t think my marine tank is harder. But I love to pay attention to it, and I invested in a ton of nice equipment. My freshwater tanks were just as much work, if not more, because I liked unusual and high maintenance fish. And, I just like to be involved in the hobby and get my hands wet.
Do A LOT more research, whether you want fresh or marine. And don’t do it on here. Start by finding a specialty fish store with employees you trust. They can put you in touch with local hobbyists groups that would love to answer all your questions. People in this hobby love to talk about it!
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10 years in the pet trade industry.
Both freshwater and marine fish need heaters, that’s a must!
If you’re just looking into this hobby, I recommend freshwater for now. You’ll need to familiarize yourself with weekly water changes as well as how to maintain immaculate water quality! Do you know about the nitrogen cycle? Have a read of the information gathered on the attached websites, the nitrogen cycle must be completed before you introduce fish in order to promote optimum health.
http://www.theaquariumwiki.com/Cycling
http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm
Now, for a freshwater aquarium, let’s say a 20g tank, all you’d need would be the substrate, plants, decorations, heater, filter, test strips, a thermometer and the fish. Of course in both marine and freshwater tanks, you’ll need to perform weekly water changes of at least 25%, but if your filter cannot keep up with the bioload of your aquarium, you’ll need to do more.
In a marine tank, around 40g (larger tanks are recommended for beginners, especially marine!), you’d need all of the above, plus live rock, corals possibly (depending on the type of marine aquarium – FO/FOWLR/REEF), a protein skimmer, possibly an extra filter depending on whether you need it or not, a couple of powerheads to provide an extra current, the salt mix, and possibly a sump.
Marine aquariums are as hard as you make them really, it all depends on how much money you’re willing on laying down and how much time you have to devote yourself to your aquarium.
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Marine aquariums are not for people that want something pretty in the living room. Nor are they for people that want a nemo and dori for their kids, they are VERY expensive, and require a passion for the hobby.
For myself i wouldn’t use the term Difficult. instead id say they are challenging. and the difference is purely psychological. We quit things that are too difficult, where as we rise to challenges. How you precieve this difference should tell you weather or not a Marine aquarium is right for you
i for one disagree completely with the premise that you need to start with fresh water first. For me personally i have no interest in fresh water tanks. had i followed this line of advice id have thrown in the towel long ago out of boredom. but again that’s cus i have the passion for salt water.
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