Putting the Saltwater Tank Urban Legend to Sleep

I am sure that any of you that are involved in the tropical, African or Saltwater hobby have heard at one time or another about how hard it is to set up and maintain a saltwater aquarium. Thus the reason that many have opted to take the so called easy way out, which in essence is not really the easy way out in my opinion! Both tank presentations have their benefits and drawbacks with some exceptions to the rule. Both can be equally rewarding, beautiful and entertaining to say the least.

Time to put the urban legends to rest:

Saltwater tanks are too difficult to set up and maintain! FALSE!
A saltwater tank can be just as easy to set up if one does some reading and researches the benefits and functions of the various types of equipment on the market. Their is such an influx of equipment on the market that many aquarists do not need, especially in as a novice in the hobby, or with a new tank set up. Also, with this flooding of the market with various contraptions, gadgets, and gizmo's, hard earned money can be easily squandered in a matter of seconds.
By taking the time to research the different types of equipment out there and determining if that particular type of equipment is essential for your needs will help you decipher and narrow the choices making it easier for you. Knowing what and how the equipment is used will also be a credit to you in the set up and possible incorporation of the piece of equipment in the future.

For example, a chiller, calcium or carbon dioxide reactor or UV sterilizer may not be needed for you to have long term success of your saltwater tank. Depending on the type of tank you chose to set up, you can get by without spending the money for these unnecessary pieces of equipment. Now, I'm not saying that these are not a possible choice in the future or that they are a waste, all I'm saying is that their are ways of getting away without spending the money initially on these high prices gadgets. A saltwater tank can be set up and maintained successfully with nothing more than appropriate filtration(biological, chemical and mechanical), proper water parameters and stability as is also evident with a tropical fish tank. Depending on the type of tank you desire, lighting will play a prominent roll in your selection as far as lumen's(bulb color) and intensity. Save your money by buying one of the many beneficial books on the market to help you become knowledgeable in your choices and actions.

Both types of tank require a cycling process that is natures way of creating and building up the necessary bacteria to breakdown the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates which are the end result of livestock respiration, deification, feeding and chemical reactions especially. Once this process has concluded, one can then begin to slowly introduce livestock to their population. Then, in essence, it is just a matter of testing water parameters, performing water changes, and enjoying the benefits associated with the addition of a tank in your house or workplace.

The expense associated with a saltwater tank is much greater than a tropical tank! FALSE!
Once again, the amount of money that you spend is up to you. You can get by with avoiding the temptation of feeling that you need to buy the top of the line skimmer/filter, lighting or other pieces of unnecessary equipment that can drastically reduce the burden on your wallet or pocketbook. As for the fish, invertebrates and corals, yes they are more expense for the most part than tropicals but their are ways of getting around this dilemma. Online shopping, sales, swap meets and the increasing ability of purchasing farm raised livestock is helping to reduce the price of livestock often associated with collection, shipping and handling costs. The sky is the limit for you as to the costs involved with setting up any type of tank. You can be as elaborate or cost conservative as you want depending on your budget and how involved you want to be.

Again, the key to your success with setting up, maintaining and being cost efficient with any type of tank is to read, research and know the facts before getting into the hobby. This will help to alleviate the burden on you and the livestock that will rely on you for their health, safety and long term success. The amount of info that you can gain combined with the experience you will develop, will offer you piece of mind and confidence to become a conscientious aquarist, whether it be in tropical, African or saltwater aquariums. Through the combined efforts of these ideas, you will be able to experience the joy, entertainment, compassion and fascination associated with the underwater world of the aquarium hobby!