Is A Saltwater Or Freshwater Aquarium Better For You?
Have you been dreaming of adding an aquarium to your home? It can be really lovely to gaze at the various fish and other creatures in an aquarium. They serve as a sort of cross between pets and decorations. There is one decision you'll need to make before you move ahead with your aquarium plans, though: will you buy a saltwater or freshwater aquarium? Both have their own unique benefits and drawbacks, which you will find examined below.
Saltwater Aquarium Benefits and Drawbacks
Saltwater aquariums allow for a greater variety of unique fish and sea creatures. You can include coral reefs, anemones, and other colorful elements other than fish. Plus, there are lots of colorful fish that you can include in a saltwater aquarium — damselfish, clownfish, and blennies are all popular ones. Setting up a saltwater aquarium is a lot harder than setting up a freshwater aquarium, so many people find it to be a very educational and informative experience. You get to learn all about pH balance, how to feed various fish, and so forth.
On the downside, saltwater aquariums cost a lot more to stock and keep running than freshwater aquariums. The filter systems are more expensive, and the fish are more expensive. Each fish has its own diet, which can get costly, too. And if you're not very careful with your aquarium maintenance, it is easy to accidentally kill your creatures.
Freshwater Aquarium Benefits and Drawbacks
Freshwater aquariums are much cheaper to buy and easier to maintain. The fish in these aquariums tend to all eat the same kinds of food, so you can just sprinkle some food flakes into the tank each morning and be done. The fish for these aquariums are also cheap and plentiful; many only cost a dollar or two.
The downside of freshwater aquariums is that there are not as many creatures to choose from. Many of the fish that live in freshwater are brown or pale in color, not bright and vibrant like saltwater fish. There are not many plants and other living elements that will thrive in a freshwater tank, either.
Freshwater tanks tend to be easier for beginners, but they're not as magnificent as saltwater tanks. So which is best for you? That really depends on how much time, money, and effort you are willing to invest.
To learn more about buying an aquarium, contact a company like Neptune's Tropical Fish.