Have and love both ❤️ I have loved fishkeeping since I was a little kid. My grandma had a tiger Oscar in a big tank in her kitchen and my great aunt always has had millions of guppies. My mom loved fish tanks and we always had little ones when I was small and I got into keeping my very own freshwater at like 10. I have loved it my whole life. I have also had my FOWLR saltwater tank for about 8 years and recently (like last month) decided I wanted to try to convert it to having a few little soft corals or something in it.... I love all of my fish ❤️.
KG Tropical member here. Thank you to both John and Jake for this collaboration! I'm a freshwater enthusiast who loves to learn. Jake, you shared a some information here I had never considered before. Excellent video and we certainly appreciate your passion for fish keeping (regardless of the environment).
@@fishfan2 reefing is an addiction. The corals, the perfect lighting, the rare fish and caring for them. I could buy a coral everyday if I didn’t stop myself. It’s a passion. I wake up every morning and observe every coral I have looking for any issues or the smallest bit of growth. Freshwater doesn’t have that. I can find 99% of every freshwater fish and plant at my local Petco, that’s not very exciting. It doesn’t compare.
This video was one of many that inspired me to try out saltwater...and now that I've had my tank up for nearly 8 months, I can surely say that freshwater is way better, at least in terms of costs and payoffs. A good sized freshwater planted tank can cost under $100 to set up, can run for months without any maintenance aside from feeding fish, and can even pay for itself through the plants grown and livestock bred within. My tiny 20 gallon salt tank is by far the most expensive I've ever set up, and needs constant maintenance and water changes. Corals and macroalgae don't grow quickly enough for me to even consider selling them, and there aren't many types of fish or inverts that readily breed in a home aquarium. I'm probably gonna dismantle the tank in a few weeks to relieve the mental and financial burden it causes me, and will likley stick with freshwater from now on
Huh. I understand the increased cost, but my saltwater tank requires barely any maintenance and I am still getting intensive, sometimes even uncontrollable macroalgae growth that I have had the opportunity to sell before. In fact, I kind of abandoned my tank for like three months, only performing RODI top offs every few days and feeding, and that made my tank proliferate even more. What organisms did you have in your tank? What were your parameters and equipment like?
Having both for years I learned that it takes a lot more time and effort to get nice looking fully grown reeftank than an aquascaped planted tank. Because of this you feel more attached to your reeftank than your freshwater one.
Try a paludarium! It gives a fresh water tank a whole new atheistic and raises the difficulty considerably if you use live plants and keep amphibians or reptiles in the jungle part
Saltwater always looks amazing, and I am envious of all the cool non-fish animals you can keep. But I have way too much anxiety to try something so sensitive and expensive in my home. Fortunately, I work at a zoo, so I can always go look at the saltwater tanks there.
Get a 1 inch piece of a beautiful strain of Green Star Polyps (GSP) for free from some reef hobbyists (or cheap retail) and you can easily make a reef tank with minimal knowledge and knowhow for reef keeping. GSP is by far the easiest, the most forgiving and can be so beautiful when done right for a soft coral.
Thanks to John and Jake, our hobby needs this interaction. Unfortunate we lost Jake to the powers above, but I'm very pleased he was able to share his coolness and intellect while he was here. He made every minute count, so can we.
Lifelong Cichlid keeper here with a desire to step into Reefing. You wouldn't believe how many reefers I talk to who find freshwater an intimidating amount of effort for keeping "boring" fish. Even when I show them my more spectacular Malawi's, my Starry Nights, and Tanganyikans. I think there's room for both, and so much to learn from both sides of the hobby. The funny thing is that those lessons greatly benefit each party, but few on either side are willing to listen.
I liked your video. I had a 30 gallon saltwater tank in the 1980’s. This was before all the high technical things that are in the tanks today. My tank was crystal clear all the time. In my tank I had 2 Cowries, 1 Pacific Giant Green Anemone, 1 Pistol Shrimp, several Peppermint Shrimp, 2 Cleaner Shrimp, 1 Arrow Crab, 4 Mollies, several Guppies, 2 Clown Fish, one oyster, and 2 clams. The oyster and the clams came from the grocery store…honestly! I dipped some tank water out into a container to put them into so their temperatures could equalize. I put them back into the tank where they thrived! I was growing coral, and breeding Fish and Shrimp. This was fun. Thanks LAM
Love the term 'salt water curious' - that's a pretty good description of me, curious, but not really tempted yet. Great answers to John's video, you helped me to consider salty tanks differently. Love the idea of bringing both sides of our hobby together, thank you💕👍
I keep fresh water but love to look at salt water tanks. I have thought of trying salt but the salt water stops me. The winter time would be ok but in the summer my tanks can get neglected. I can do a fresh water change in 5 minutes if needed. I love that you guys are promoting the aquarium hobby.
Expensive yes complicated not really. You can do a pretty good soft coral reef in a Fluval evo 13.5 that was my first dip into the saltwater hobby. Softies grow like weeds in even not exactly ideal water there’s a few that even have pretty cool colors and forms. And the evo has almost everything you need built in
AS a freshwater person, I admire a good Saltwater setup. I am just not in a position to afford the setup. For what I spent on my two tanks, I might get a tank and water :)
KG Tropical member: This collaboration was awesome and very informative. Thank you!! Though I would love to do a saltwater tank, I admit to falling behind on maintenance every once in a while. John is correct, salt water is less forgiving, all that money down the drain would make me quit the hobby all together. Until I have more free time, fresh water it is!!
When I used to work at an aquarium store, I would always tell the costumers about how the saltwater chemistry is easier than fresh water. You just need to be patient when starting a saltwater tank. Don’t try to rush it!
I keep both freshwater and saltwater. Saltwater is my mixed tank with 80% being sps but my freshwater is my 1500 gal tank with a 3'+ Goliath tiger fish along with a few other fish. Two different worlds and both equally amazing!!!
Good stuff. I've been doing freshwater for the last 12 years or so and got my first coral last week, just dipping my toes in the ocean. Your videos have been hugely helpful for my new setup! Looking forward to getting into more of those crazy corals and gadgets in the future
I appreciate the effort to contrast the two sides of this amazing hobby, as it is just that: two sides of the same hobby. We all keep water in a glass box. Yet, the chemistry of that water informs what we’re able to keep as pets. And I’d argue that any hard-core hobbyist Should understand both sides. It is the same chemistry after all. The solutes change in concentrations, but it’s still water in a box. Thus, we should be able to contrast soft water, with hard water, with salt water. And understand the difference in biology enabled by those distinctions. For me: I adore both sides. But, it’s really the photosynthetic and invertebrate organisms which lure me in. As I’m not much of a fish person. Yet my jaw drops at the sight of a Hemianthus ‘Cuba’ carpet or a Bucephalandra; almost as often, as my jaw drops at the sight of a Milka Stylaphora, a Montipora capricornis, or an Acropora. I’ve personally kept planted freshwater for over a decade and am thoroughly familiar with that side. At the same time, I’m a new convert to the marine side. I first kept a saltwater system at the end of 2019 and my interest exploded while I was locked down during the initial pandemic outbreak. Saltwater became my extracurricular activity to occupy my time through 2020 and I started absorbing reefing content like a sponge. As I go forward as a hobbyist, I have no doubt I will continue to keep both over the long term. I’m not a person that embraces Multiple-tank-syndrome, but I can’t see my home without a planted tank and a reef. But two really is my personal limit. Though I must admit, it’s freshwater side that more readily engages the biologist side of me. Marine ecology is fascinating, but I find freshwater ecology more approachable. It’s that relatability which makes a simplified-freshwater systems more tangible for many, and thus far more common. At the same time, the Marine side really engages the tech-geek in me. I adore automation brought to the forefront on the Reef hobby, and I do think the freshwater side is really missing out by not exploring that aspect. So those are the two aspects of this hobby I’d personally argue each side excels at: Freshwater is more approachable, and often seems easier (though that’s not really accurate). And the current Marine hobby is a tech-geeks wet dream. But those are simply preferences. The reality is: each side is equally complex, and both sides could easily be as low-tech or high-tech as desired (with Acropora being a possible exception, as a low tech Acropora tank might prove a challenge simply due to its requirements for a reef crest environment).
This morning I watched the fresh water video and it was not until late tonight that yours popped into my lineup. You both did a great presentation. A long time ago at the end of the 60s, we would sometimes say nice colours man. Now over 60 years later you have promoted even better colours and one can never go wrong with that. Although you show all the gadgets that I think could make one remortgage the house. Still both parts of the hobby look pretty interesting and it is good that both of you keep educating the rest of us.
I am a freshwater curious salt water reefer, I have been wanting to set up a beta fish tank from a spare old reef tank of mine. Currently have a 75 gallon mixed reef
As a freshwater aquascaped tanks enthusiast, I really appreciated your comments under #5 and #7. I like the toys and DIY aspects, but they definitely aren’t as prolific in freshwater setups. I almost went with a saltwater tank for my new big tank, but I had to be realistic with myself and my available time to put towards the tank. Hopefully when I’m retired I’ll still be involved in the hobby and then I’ll make a commitment to the salt life, but for now, I’ll stick to breeding freshwater fish, propagating live plants, and chasing new crypts. That said, I love talking to reefers about their setups and how they maintain them. I’ve picked up a lot of tips that can easily be applied to freshwater, especially a high tech planted tank with fish, snails, and crustaceans. Too bad the coolest crustaceans in freshwater also like to eat plants.
The freshwater industry hasnt tried to push the costs through the roof and convince folk they need a 1k light (or 6) 6 foot above their tanks, a thousand chemicals, everything digitally operated and a 1 inch coral with a silly name.:) Its essentially a noisy space. Freshwater is more chilled out, less expensive by default........ about it. Like getting off your 2 stroke motorbike and getting in the car :) i appreciate both and I need both in my life :D
I have both... why not??? Also, we need to increase freshwater fish breeding because the changing environment and weather is killing freshwater environments. Sure you could also argue about saltwater fish but the majority of the world's waters are saltwater.
I’m honestly on both sides. I think all types of waters have those awesome sides. And experiencing all side is amazing and having the world at your fingertips makes it better. Especially when you put every ounce of love, care and dedication to the wonderful organisms you have.
Can’t believe this video is what got me to convert one of my freshwater 75 aquarium to saltwater. All of Jake’s points are so true. So sad that the Bob Ross of reef keeping isn’t with us anymore 💔
Fish keeping is like a person's growth in life. You have Freshwater as a representation of starting out in life towards adulthood and saltwater is the part of your life where you want to go and make new discoveries and experience new and more out of the box things as you mature and evolve and learn complex tasks. My current freshwater fish is basically family at this point while I'm learning with saltwater fish at a slow and steady pace.
Love this vid! I had freshwater tanks since I was a kid, and after college I dove deep into reef tanks. I first set up a nano tank, and graduated to a 3' 55 gal tank. I had a bunch of corals and even a yellow tang! Sadly, I actually ended up shutting down my reef tank after 2 years. I am at a stage in my life where I need to move apartments a lot and I hate moving reef tanks! Spending all that money on fish/corals that can die in a move is a bit stressful. I also got tired of having to buy salt and doing water changes. And I got to a point where the tank was where I wanted it to be, and I just didn't want to keep developing it. So once I didn't want to buy any more fish/corals, I started to get a bit bored with the tank. You always need to keep progressing to keep it interesting, imo. So anyway, I decided to go back to freshwater after being away for many years. I am ok with more muted colors, and I want to go for a more natural look with some plants. And I just want to spend very little money setting up the tank, plus I can use tap water + dechlorinator for easy water changes! Might go back to salt one day, but I think it'll be fun venturing back into my first love of freshwater.
I jumped straight into the deep end with saltwater. I've never really thought about setting one up until I saw the amazing competition planted tanks. It's a different world with a variety of material and fauna that you can use to create something very unique and pleasing to look at. But for all your reasons and more I will forever remain on the blue (not dark) side of the force.
I would say that the main difference in difficulty between both are not the levels of difficulty themselves, but the upfront difficulty. Sure, a beginner type freshwater can be very easy to keep and maintain, but as you advance, there are so many niches you can specialize on in the freshwater side, that the difficulty rises considerably. With saltwater, you get hit with everything at the beginning, while with freshwater it's a gradual increase in difficulty, as you progress through the different branches of it (aquascaping, nanoscaping, biotopes, high tech, monster fish, etc) and ultimately decide to stick with one of these branches. I would say a saltwater tank is probably beautiful from the start because the animals themselves in the setup are beautiful, while with freshwater, it takes time to grow in, develop and stabilize (specifically talking about high tech aquascape, since this is the branch I am in). BUT in my opinion freshwater will always have a visual edge over saltwater and that is Paludarium style emersed setups, where you can combine elements of jungle terrariums and submersed worlds together! That to me is the pinnacle in freshwater keeping!
One difference to me is definitely just the vibe. On top of the saltwater fish being very bright colors and eye-catching along with the corals, their will always be a lot of blue lighting. Sometimess people will prefer a white or yellow- white light instead just to change up the aesthetic which is where freshwater would come into play. A clear water with greenery and rocks or wood, where it feels also like land meeting water too Vs Blueee. And fluorescent colors. And feels like deep in the ocean and no land nearby. :) Overall they’re both absolutely amazing and one should never be judged for keeping the “easier” option ever. When looks by itself may be preferred.
I love them all! Fresh, salt, brackish, goldfish, monster fish, paludariums. I'm also one of those purists that try to make them as low tech and low maintenance as possible. Sponge filters for days! With maybe a simple hang on the back with just bio balls and some carbon and filter floss. And plants. Even my reef has mangroves. Crossing fingers but I haven't had a crash since I first started in the hobby over 25yrs ago 😅
Hi, I'm a freshwater guy so I will give my honest opinion regarding the points you brought. Keep in mind that I'm not hating saltwater or discredit your opinions, I just want to share mine 1.colorful fish : yeah I totally agree, saltwater fish are naturally more colorful and pretty. Even though some freshwater fish have that pop of color ( cardinal tetra, African chichilds, discus and what not) they still cant compare to Salt water 2. Corals : yeah believe it or not this is what bought me to aquarium hobby in the first place. I remembered going to SeaWorld when I was little and look at the corals. I was fascinated and want to get into aquarium because of that. Also their shapes and color are so pretty. So from an aesthetic point of view, I agree with this video 3.Diversity of animals: when you said freshwater is "mostly fish" I was kinda agree and disagree at the same time. Because sure most of it are "just fish" but there are so many different fish category. You have your ornamental fish to look pretty (tetra, discuss, molly) but you also have the big predatory fish like Pbass, Oscar, Arowana, alligator gar and so much more. I don't see any big predatory saltwater fish. And trust me, keeping an ornamental fish and predator fish is a complete different experience. Also we can make paladarium (half land half water type of habitat) and keep things like frogs, salamander and crabs. Or just keep weird animals like axolotl. I don't see saltwater aquarium that incorporate land and water based animals on them. So yeah it's mostly fish but the diversity? It's so much more than you can imagine 4. Not the same water. Honestly? Yeah lol we forgot about that a lot. But most fish can live in the same water. You just have to note a few example of fish that needs certain conditions to live (don't but green spot puffer in a fully fresh water etc) 5. The best toys. Yeah sorry this is a turn off for me because it's just so expensive and I got overwhelmed by the different gadgets and also I like to make my aquarium "natural" so I only use minimal equipments (usually just filter and aeration stuff). But I get that It can be fun for some people 6.fluoresnece. yeah I like this a lot about saltwater. Some fresh water fish does have this to some extent (glofish like you mentioned) but it's not nearly enough to be as pretty as saltwater 7. Personal touch : I kinda agree and disagree with this as well. The reason is, although reef making is definetly much more personalized than making aquascape, we are not limited to that. We can also do paladarium as I mentioned earlier which add so much more complexity and choices. Also we can do natural setup (brackish fish only, etc) so I will say saltwater win slightly in this, but it's not as limiting as you think it is 8. Propagation. While this is true, keep in mind that for beginners it is much easier to propagate and breed fresh water fish and plants. We even have fish that you can basically leave alone in a glass of water and they will breed like rabbit like guppy and Molly. So even though it is more profitable in the long run if you propagate reef, keep in mind that you need experience and knowledge to do that, much more than what you need to start breeding freshwater fish 9. More satisfaction : yeah definetly! But keep in mind, again it's a high reward high risk thing. So if you are beginner, you are much more likely to mess up and loss more money cause salt water is expensive. You even mentioned that newly propagated corals are like $10? So prepare to lose at least twice that amount if you are new and you failed 10. Wild caught fish : honestly ? I don't think fresh water fish keeper should act "holier than thou" as even though most of freshwater fish are bred in farms, some of them are mostly wild caught as well. What's important is we do our best so those creatures can live their life in the best condition possible
I didn't realize there was such a divide between aquarium enthusiasts! I'm also into performance cars; it reminds me of "Muscle cars vs Import cars," or even "Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge." Lots of snotty looks from opposing sides at shows. Everyone should just do what they like, but no harm in checking out what the other side has to offer!
I really like your reasons. I can see the appeal of salt water fish/tanks. I also never thought of your last reason in a positive light. I can see how it can actually help the fish and the environment and local communities that rely on the fish/coral. My main reason I will probably hold off on salt water fish/tanks is the extra weight that's added. Not only are you taking care of fish but also other living things. Perhaps once I get used to freshwater and understanding the basic fundamentals of caring for fish(how to tell if a fish is sick, eating etc.) I will dip my toe in to the Saltwater hobby.
Jake's back :) Great video as usual, I used to have a freshwater tank way back when I was a wee lad, also kept rare Newts when I was in the UK. Fell in love with Marine tanks in 1997 and got my first 90 gallon FOWLR. Now getting into corals and RFA's
personally,I really like the surprises salt water aquariums bring. the microfauna in a saltwater tank is insane.every night you will fin weird creatures brought in with live rocks and corals.I got surprised by two shrimp, an isopod, and a tube worn.Some people find it to be annoying,but I actually like the feeling of having a diverse ecosystem in my bedroom.
For me it’s the inverts. I could literally have a tank that has NO fish and the amount of Shrimp, Crabs, sea cucumbers and other wild things that exist are just unmatched. And that isn’t even getting into something like a mantis shrimp tank or a Seahorse only tank. So many options
I went over your points with an open mind..I got 4 fresh and 1 saltwater tank..Love em all but my Saltwater tank is definitively my favorite..Great Video
I have African Cichlids that play with a cat toy! They come out and follow it around every time I bring it out. (Red butterfly 🦋 ) Tbh everything loves that toy. Even the rabbit and guinea pig. Oh and the cat ofc. Lol
I'll say I'm intimidated by saltwater, but I do think corals and alike organisms are so interesting. Maybe some day I could try a saltwater tank out. This video just makes me more curious!
I like a simple reef tank with softies. I love their movement. And I love nano saltwater fish. And I like that there are generally fewer fish in a saltwater tank. Getting to know each individual feels more personal. I like that the salt mix takes care of all the chemistry. Biggest downside is the cost. Unquestionably more expensive. Freshwater has never appealed to me because I was drawn straight to salt due to the fish being much prettier.
As someone who is saltwater curious and a reptile keeper, I find it interesting Wild Caught is considered a pro. It’s cool that wild caught in the reef hobby actually can be turned into a pro that helps with conservation.
Jake, your eloquence, knowledge are impeccable. I keep both freshwater and Saltwater. You pundits should really consider lobbying the producers of lighting for instance, to drop the insane pricing. It's the dangled carrot. You folks promote, they send you free gear etc. Chemicals produce these flawless, perfect tanks lol. Keeping the micro-fauna in balance a never ending battle. If you put water in a glass box, light it correctly, add all the nutrients etc. Algae will grow. It's simply life.
The last one is the one that puts me out more. While is true wild caught can benefit local communities in practice that means there are more likely to be overfished, and for every animal that adapts well in captivity there might be a X amount who doesn't and dies from the stress or injuries from catching. Also there can carry parasites. That doesn't mean acuiculture itself is perfect, even to this day there still strugle with feeding issues, relaying even more with fishing than usual. Also there is the issue of escape animals that become invasive in some local lakes and rivers, decimating native species too. There are two sides of the same coin.
Been doing saltwater for 25 years, only had freshwater for 9, but here's my take on it: freshwater aquariums are more fun, saltwater is more rewarding. Freshwater is more fun because of all of the crazy and fun ways to decorate it. Want to explore your inner Takahashi Amano? Sure thing, buddy! Wanna use Legos? Okay, that's a weird one, but you do you. Want to replicate one specific rock outcropping of Lake Tanganyika found near Kabonga, Burundi? My brother or sister, replicate it to your heart's content! Saltwater is super rewarding because you can watch a complete ecosystem bloom from just a few rocks, sand and water. Growing a massive coral colony from a thumbnail sized frag over the course of several years? Wow. Getting to see intimate behaviors of strange, alien creatures like mantis shrimp, knowing that you might be the first person to EVER see that behavior? That's enough to make a biologist jealous! Both styles of aquarium are amazing, and my fellow aquarists are better than people who don't want aquariums. Period!
Like I'd estimate 90% of marine keepers I started on freshwater. I kept freshwater for most of my life and always admired marines. I did reasearch for a year and have had a 55Gal for a year now and I love it I haven't regretted it one bit. I still have one fresh water but salt is way better.
I love both Freshwater and Saltwater :) I think they're both fun. I also think the knowledge you develop on chemistry and much more can be extrapolated from the Saltwater hobby, and transitioned into the Freshwater hobby to maybe give diehard Freshwater enthusiasts a new fresh outlook on keeping their tanks, maybe even slightly improving them by having a stronger understanding of stability in a tank.
I don’t like the idea of most of the fish being wild caught, much respect for keeping a reef tank but I think I’ll just stick with my freshwater tanks.
Having done high end versions of both, saltwater is easier and less maintenance because of the gear. But more $$$. I got really tired of the weekly 50% water changes a high end planted tank requires to be as pristine as I like it. It got to be more work than pleasure.
I have had freshwater tanks in the past, they grow fast, can take care of themselves with minimal equipment/maintenance, and still look amazing. Their are a lot of really good aquascapes, and some awsome fish. BUT IT DOSNT HAVE CORAL! Ugh, so I moved for a new job, I got a great brand new apartment thats spacious and has lots of great spots for an aquarium. But man the start up cost on saltwater is pretty wild, but I know how rough upgrading to larger setups can be from freshwater (which I assume is a lot faster than salt) so I might start buying equipment over time and eventually find a good stand or build my own. Because I already know for sure I'm going to have a sump. Iv never really built anything but I need a new hobby or DiY project and your really selling me more on just taking care of the tank and all the possible options. Iv thought about making a youtube journal or something of the process of getting it all setup running and any events that happen. Eventually the end game is to get a house with plenty of space for longterm/endgame show room.
I definitely like your points, but any downsides KG pointed out I experienced… It became more work then my full time job. I lost the love… I’m sticking to fresh, for now ;)
I've always had freshwater. Currently have 2 freshwater tanks. Been thinking about a nano reef build. Found your channel from kg tropicals. Love the content and you definitely gained a subscriber
Nanos are cool but crash easier might want to start bigger but if you want an affordable starter nano I always recommend Fluval. I started with their 13.5 kit and I love it
@@kevinpeters6709 This is my concern as well. The general rule is the bigger the tank, the more stable it is so having a nano reef tank really stacks the deck against you.
Discus and South American cichlids alone make freshwater better for me then saltwater. Tons of personality in those fish. They actually greet me like puppies. I don’t get that from saltwater unless it’s a larger pufferfish.
Hello Jake, hello Reef Builders. I love both fresh and saltwater, I have both (very recent) and I don't know if salt is better, it's just different. I feel we learn to love different things of these two sides of the hobby. Perhaps the two worlds should talk to eachother a bit more because we could all learn and get inspired
Came over from KG Tropicals. This is really interesting! My in laws kept salt water fish for a long time. I’m still a baby fresh water keeper but one day I’d like to try saltwater.
I love you and miss you. You were the reason I started my tank. Although I have since gave it away due to hair algae taking over my tank. I wish I still had it. It was amazing in the beginning until the algae hit and I couldn’t get rid of it. …
I think if you have the necessary time and money, both fresh- and saltwater aquariums are amazing. But if you're tight on budget, schedule or both, freshwater is a better option. Still, a good freshwater tank will require some work. But because I'm still both studying and working, I have to admit freshwater is the only option left. Would I try saltwater? Maybe. But by now, from a practical point of view, I'll still stick with freshwater. Also, I love planted tanks. And while I know there are macroalgae and seagrass (i.e.: Posidonia) which can thrive in saltwater aquariums, freshwater gives you much more options in regard. It sometimes is said you have to either trade off plants for corals, or otherwise round, but even if I'd try a saltwater tank, I would never be able to fully leave freshwater ones.
I am indeed saltwater curious and all your reasons make sense. My dad has had saltwater tanks all my life and they are so beautiful and amazing to just stare at. I only do freshwater because I think I am not ready for saltwater yet. Maybe one day when I make more money I will set a proper saltwater tank.
I’m 100% on the side of less work needed in a freshwater aquarium but I want at least one saltwater tank. Preferably a 200+ gallon as a show piece just because it’s undeniable that saltwater tanks are much more beautiful
I always immediately said saltwater was way cooler looking. However after looking around at some of the aquascapes in planted tanks with driftwood, and some Discus tanks and angelfish tanks...the discus are absolutely stunning. Both setups can be amazing.
I totally agree with everything listed in the vid. For the most part, I always get passionate and excited with salt. With fresh, not so much.Coming from a guy who had both for the last 25 years.
I'm open minded. I have a 125 fresh and wanna try my hand at salt(smaller scale) I figure if I can maintain a small one, a big one shld be even easier.
I had a salt reed tank going for about a year, and literally overnight my entire tank died. Fed the fish, hour later i turned out the light, with no signs of anything wrong. Woke up the next morning and the tank was so cloudy you couldn't see the back and everything was dead.
Question! All the saltwater aquarium I’ve seen (on the internet) always uses neon light, which ofcourse makes the fishes more colourful. But what if you use normal light as you do with fresh water? Will the colour still be as different? What if you use neon light on a fresh water tank?
What do you think? Saltwater or freshwater?
Saltwater by a wide margin. Even if you're on a tight budget you can still setup a nice aquarium with softies.
Fresh has worked for me for forty years. Plus I dont keep tropical creatures in cold tanks.
Impossible decision, especially comparing to planted freshwater aquariums or aquaponics. Gimme both!
Enthusiasm and love makes both great. (but saltwater)
Have and love both ❤️ I have loved fishkeeping since I was a little kid. My grandma had a tiger Oscar in a big tank in her kitchen and my great aunt always has had millions of guppies. My mom loved fish tanks and we always had little ones when I was small and I got into keeping my very own freshwater at like 10. I have loved it my whole life. I have also had my FOWLR saltwater tank for about 8 years and recently (like last month) decided I wanted to try to convert it to having a few little soft corals or something in it.... I love all of my fish ❤️.
KG Tropical member here. Thank you to both John and Jake for this collaboration! I'm a freshwater enthusiast who loves to learn. Jake, you shared a some information here I had never considered before. Excellent video and we certainly appreciate your passion for fish keeping (regardless of the environment).
*Saltwater is a passion. Had freshwater tanks before, would love to set one up again.. but it wouldn’t make me as passionate as saltwater. 🙌*
As passionate? or was Saltwater more delicate and requires more attention 😂
@@fishfan2 reefing is an addiction. The corals, the perfect lighting, the rare fish and caring for them. I could buy a coral everyday if I didn’t stop myself. It’s a passion. I wake up every morning and observe every coral I have looking for any issues or the smallest bit of growth. Freshwater doesn’t have that. I can find 99% of every freshwater fish and plant at my local Petco, that’s not very exciting. It doesn’t compare.
@@Felis-Concolor okay i can relate to that lmaoo, set yourself a budget cuz if not ... 😂
Best summary of salt vs fresh
None of that makes you more passionate 😂 just means you have to do more work. Doesn't mean you're going harder than anyone with freshwater tanks
This video was one of many that inspired me to try out saltwater...and now that I've had my tank up for nearly 8 months, I can surely say that freshwater is way better, at least in terms of costs and payoffs. A good sized freshwater planted tank can cost under $100 to set up, can run for months without any maintenance aside from feeding fish, and can even pay for itself through the plants grown and livestock bred within. My tiny 20 gallon salt tank is by far the most expensive I've ever set up, and needs constant maintenance and water changes. Corals and macroalgae don't grow quickly enough for me to even consider selling them, and there aren't many types of fish or inverts that readily breed in a home aquarium. I'm probably gonna dismantle the tank in a few weeks to relieve the mental and financial burden it causes me, and will likley stick with freshwater from now on
Huh. I understand the increased cost, but my saltwater tank requires barely any maintenance and I am still getting intensive, sometimes even uncontrollable macroalgae growth that I have had the opportunity to sell before. In fact, I kind of abandoned my tank for like three months, only performing RODI top offs every few days and feeding, and that made my tank proliferate even more. What organisms did you have in your tank? What were your parameters and equipment like?
Thank you for this comment. I think it convinced me to stick with freshwater.
What costs did you incur? Salt water changes? With a 20 gallon tank i cant imagine the costs were high TBH.
I loved my 28 gal JBJ all in one in the beginning then six months in hair algae hit and destroyed my tank. I was need up giving it away
Having both for years I learned that it takes a lot more time and effort to get nice looking fully grown reeftank than an aquascaped planted tank. Because of this you feel more attached to your reeftank than your freshwater one.
Try a paludarium! It gives a fresh water tank a whole new atheistic and raises the difficulty considerably if you use live plants and keep amphibians or reptiles in the jungle part
Saltwater always looks amazing, and I am envious of all the cool non-fish animals you can keep. But I have way too much anxiety to try something so sensitive and expensive in my home. Fortunately, I work at a zoo, so I can always go look at the saltwater tanks there.
Luckyyy! must be a cool job!
Not as sensitive as you would think. There are some rare exceptions in some corals, but most are hardy and willing to live.
Get a 1 inch piece of a beautiful strain of Green Star Polyps (GSP) for free from some reef hobbyists (or cheap retail) and you can easily make a reef tank with minimal knowledge and knowhow for reef keeping. GSP is by far the easiest, the most forgiving and can be so beautiful when done right for a soft coral.
Thanks to John and Jake, our hobby needs this interaction. Unfortunate we lost Jake to the powers above, but I'm very pleased he was able to share his coolness and intellect while he was here. He made every minute count, so can we.
Lifelong Cichlid keeper here with a desire to step into Reefing. You wouldn't believe how many reefers I talk to who find freshwater an intimidating amount of effort for keeping "boring" fish. Even when I show them my more spectacular Malawi's, my Starry Nights, and Tanganyikans. I think there's room for both, and so much to learn from both sides of the hobby. The funny thing is that those lessons greatly benefit each party, but few on either side are willing to listen.
I liked your video.
I had a 30 gallon saltwater tank in the 1980’s. This was before all the high technical things that are in the tanks today. My tank was crystal clear all the time.
In my tank I had 2 Cowries, 1 Pacific Giant Green Anemone, 1 Pistol Shrimp, several Peppermint Shrimp, 2 Cleaner Shrimp, 1 Arrow Crab, 4 Mollies, several Guppies, 2 Clown Fish, one oyster, and 2 clams. The oyster and the clams came from the grocery store…honestly! I dipped some tank water out into a container to put them into so their temperatures could equalize. I put them back into the tank where they thrived!
I was growing coral, and breeding Fish and Shrimp. This was fun. Thanks LAM
Love the term 'salt water curious' - that's a pretty good description of me, curious, but not really tempted yet. Great answers to John's video, you helped me to consider salty tanks differently. Love the idea of bringing both sides of our hobby together, thank you💕👍
I keep fresh water but love to look at salt water tanks. I have thought of trying salt but the salt water stops me. The winter time would be ok but in the summer my tanks can get neglected. I can do a fresh water change in 5 minutes if needed. I love that you guys are promoting the aquarium hobby.
A simple Royal Gramma blows 95% of fresh water fish out the water when it comes to color. And that is one of the more basic fish you can keep
Nah lol
Totally agree! I love my RG! their colours are stunning.
Half the saltwater fish he says are so much better are also more difficult to keep. Nice try tho
Yes! I want a royal gramma.
You pay for it😂
All good and valid points. It’s just too expensive and complicated for me, although I love to see a beautiful salt water setup.
Expensive yes complicated not really. You can do a pretty good soft coral reef in a Fluval evo 13.5 that was my first dip into the saltwater hobby. Softies grow like weeds in even not exactly ideal water there’s a few that even have pretty cool colors and forms. And the evo has almost everything you need built in
Lmao, no they're not. They're all terribly fanboyish points that fall apart the moment you take a look at them.
@@Vgpl0 well then are you gonna dismantle them yourself since it’s apparently so easy? enlighten us
Rest In Peace Jake Adams
AS a freshwater person, I admire a good Saltwater setup. I am just not in a position to afford the setup. For what I spent on my two tanks, I might get a tank and water :)
KG Tropical member: This collaboration was awesome and very informative. Thank you!! Though I would love to do a saltwater tank, I admit to falling behind on maintenance every once in a while. John is correct, salt water is less forgiving, all that money down the drain would make me quit the hobby all together. Until I have more free time, fresh water it is!!
When I used to work at an aquarium store, I would always tell the costumers about how the saltwater chemistry is easier than fresh water. You just need to be patient when starting a saltwater tank. Don’t try to rush it!
Im a fresh water guy, but just started. This has been very educational. Thank you for the hospitality.
I keep both freshwater and saltwater. Saltwater is my mixed tank with 80% being sps but my freshwater is my 1500 gal tank with a 3'+ Goliath tiger fish along with a few other fish. Two different worlds and both equally amazing!!!
In sumarry. Salt water aquarium is very expensive (investing and maintaining).
Good stuff. I've been doing freshwater for the last 12 years or so and got my first coral last week, just dipping my toes in the ocean. Your videos have been hugely helpful for my new setup! Looking forward to getting into more of those crazy corals and gadgets in the future
I appreciate the effort to contrast the two sides of this amazing hobby, as it is just that: two sides of the same hobby. We all keep water in a glass box. Yet, the chemistry of that water informs what we’re able to keep as pets.
And I’d argue that any hard-core hobbyist Should understand both sides. It is the same chemistry after all. The solutes change in concentrations, but it’s still water in a box. Thus, we should be able to contrast soft water, with hard water, with salt water. And understand the difference in biology enabled by those distinctions.
For me: I adore both sides. But, it’s really the photosynthetic and invertebrate organisms which lure me in. As I’m not much of a fish person. Yet my jaw drops at the sight of a Hemianthus ‘Cuba’ carpet or a Bucephalandra; almost as often, as my jaw drops at the sight of a Milka Stylaphora, a Montipora capricornis, or an Acropora.
I’ve personally kept planted freshwater for over a decade and am thoroughly familiar with that side. At the same time, I’m a new convert to the marine side. I first kept a saltwater system at the end of 2019 and my interest exploded while I was locked down during the initial pandemic outbreak. Saltwater became my extracurricular activity to occupy my time through 2020 and I started absorbing reefing content like a sponge.
As I go forward as a hobbyist, I have no doubt I will continue to keep both over the long term. I’m not a person that embraces Multiple-tank-syndrome, but I can’t see my home without a planted tank and a reef. But two really is my personal limit.
Though I must admit, it’s freshwater side that more readily engages the biologist side of me. Marine ecology is fascinating, but I find freshwater ecology more approachable. It’s that relatability which makes a simplified-freshwater systems more tangible for many, and thus far more common.
At the same time, the Marine side really engages the tech-geek in me. I adore automation brought to the forefront on the Reef hobby, and I do think the freshwater side is really missing out by not exploring that aspect.
So those are the two aspects of this hobby I’d personally argue each side excels at: Freshwater is more approachable, and often seems easier (though that’s not really accurate). And the current Marine hobby is a tech-geeks wet dream.
But those are simply preferences. The reality is: each side is equally complex, and both sides could easily be as low-tech or high-tech as desired (with Acropora being a possible exception, as a low tech Acropora tank might prove a challenge simply due to its requirements for a reef crest environment).
This morning I watched the fresh water video and it was not until late tonight that yours popped into my lineup. You both did a great presentation. A long time ago at the end of the 60s, we would sometimes say nice colours man. Now over 60 years later you have promoted even better colours and one can never go wrong with that. Although you show all the gadgets that I think could make one remortgage the house. Still both parts of the hobby look pretty interesting and it is good that both of you keep educating the rest of us.
I am a freshwater curious salt water reefer, I have been wanting to set up a beta fish tank from a spare old reef tank of mine. Currently have a 75 gallon mixed reef
As a freshwater aquascaped tanks enthusiast, I really appreciated your comments under #5 and #7. I like the toys and DIY aspects, but they definitely aren’t as prolific in freshwater setups. I almost went with a saltwater tank for my new big tank, but I had to be realistic with myself and my available time to put towards the tank. Hopefully when I’m retired I’ll still be involved in the hobby and then I’ll make a commitment to the salt life, but for now, I’ll stick to breeding freshwater fish, propagating live plants, and chasing new crypts.
That said, I love talking to reefers about their setups and how they maintain them. I’ve picked up a lot of tips that can easily be applied to freshwater, especially a high tech planted tank with fish, snails, and crustaceans. Too bad the coolest crustaceans in freshwater also like to eat plants.
The freshwater industry hasnt tried to push the costs through the roof and convince folk they need a 1k light (or 6) 6 foot above their tanks, a thousand chemicals, everything digitally operated and a 1 inch coral with a silly name.:) Its essentially a noisy space. Freshwater is more chilled out, less expensive by default........ about it.
Like getting off your 2 stroke motorbike and getting in the car :)
i appreciate both and I need both in my life :D
I have both... why not??? Also, we need to increase freshwater fish breeding because the changing environment and weather is killing freshwater environments. Sure you could also argue about saltwater fish but the majority of the world's waters are saltwater.
I’m honestly on both sides. I think all types of waters have those awesome sides. And experiencing all side is amazing and having the world at your fingertips makes it better. Especially when you put every ounce of love, care and dedication to the wonderful organisms you have.
Can’t believe this video is what got me to convert one of my freshwater 75 aquarium to saltwater. All of Jake’s points are so true. So sad that the Bob Ross of reef keeping isn’t with us anymore 💔
Fish keeping is like a person's growth in life. You have Freshwater as a representation of starting out in life towards adulthood and saltwater is the part of your life where you want to go and make new discoveries and experience new and more out of the box things as you mature and evolve and learn complex tasks. My current freshwater fish is basically family at this point while I'm learning with saltwater fish at a slow and steady pace.
Love this vid! I had freshwater tanks since I was a kid, and after college I dove deep into reef tanks.
I first set up a nano tank, and graduated to a 3' 55 gal tank. I had a bunch of corals and even a yellow tang!
Sadly, I actually ended up shutting down my reef tank after 2 years. I am at a stage in my life where I need to move apartments a lot and I hate moving reef tanks! Spending all that money on fish/corals that can die in a move is a bit stressful.
I also got tired of having to buy salt and doing water changes. And I got to a point where the tank was where I wanted it to be, and I just didn't want to keep developing it. So once I didn't want to buy any more fish/corals, I started to get a bit bored with the tank. You always need to keep progressing to keep it interesting, imo.
So anyway, I decided to go back to freshwater after being away for many years. I am ok with more muted colors, and I want to go for a more natural look with some plants. And I just want to spend very little money setting up the tank, plus I can use tap water + dechlorinator for easy water changes!
Might go back to salt one day, but I think it'll be fun venturing back into my first love of freshwater.
As a native Australia freshwater enthusiast I really appreciate your video on saltwater as someone with very little knowledge!
Coming from KGT. Subscribed. Thanks for the fun crossover 🤙
🙏
I jumped straight into the deep end with saltwater. I've never really thought about setting one up until I saw the amazing competition planted tanks. It's a different world with a variety of material and fauna that you can use to create something very unique and pleasing to look at. But for all your reasons and more I will forever remain on the blue (not dark) side of the force.
I would say that the main difference in difficulty between both are not the levels of difficulty themselves, but the upfront difficulty. Sure, a beginner type freshwater can be very easy to keep and maintain, but as you advance, there are so many niches you can specialize on in the freshwater side, that the difficulty rises considerably. With saltwater, you get hit with everything at the beginning, while with freshwater it's a gradual increase in difficulty, as you progress through the different branches of it (aquascaping, nanoscaping, biotopes, high tech, monster fish, etc) and ultimately decide to stick with one of these branches. I would say a saltwater tank is probably beautiful from the start because the animals themselves in the setup are beautiful, while with freshwater, it takes time to grow in, develop and stabilize (specifically talking about high tech aquascape, since this is the branch I am in). BUT in my opinion freshwater will always have a visual edge over saltwater and that is Paludarium style emersed setups, where you can combine elements of jungle terrariums and submersed worlds together! That to me is the pinnacle in freshwater keeping!
One difference to me is definitely just the vibe. On top of the saltwater fish being very bright colors and eye-catching along with the corals, their will always be a lot of blue lighting.
Sometimess people will prefer a white or yellow- white light instead just to change up the aesthetic which is where freshwater would come into play.
A clear water with greenery and rocks or wood, where it feels also like land meeting water too
Vs Blueee. And fluorescent colors. And feels like deep in the ocean and no land nearby.
:)
Overall they’re both absolutely amazing and one should never be judged for keeping the “easier” option ever. When looks by itself may be preferred.
Had to catch this on replay. Outstanding video, I'm now on the fence for a basic sw tank. Just fake decos, and easy fish to start off with.
I love them all! Fresh, salt, brackish, goldfish, monster fish, paludariums.
I'm also one of those purists that try to make them as low tech and low maintenance as possible. Sponge filters for days! With maybe a simple hang on the back with just bio balls and some carbon and filter floss. And plants. Even my reef has mangroves. Crossing fingers but I haven't had a crash since I first started in the hobby over 25yrs ago 😅
Hi, I'm a freshwater guy so I will give my honest opinion regarding the points you brought. Keep in mind that I'm not hating saltwater or discredit your opinions, I just want to share mine
1.colorful fish : yeah I totally agree, saltwater fish are naturally more colorful and pretty. Even though some freshwater fish have that pop of color ( cardinal tetra, African chichilds, discus and what not) they still cant compare to Salt water
2. Corals : yeah believe it or not this is what bought me to aquarium hobby in the first place. I remembered going to SeaWorld when I was little and look at the corals. I was fascinated and want to get into aquarium because of that. Also their shapes and color are so pretty. So from an aesthetic point of view, I agree with this video
3.Diversity of animals: when you said freshwater is "mostly fish" I was kinda agree and disagree at the same time. Because sure most of it are "just fish" but there are so many different fish category. You have your ornamental fish to look pretty (tetra, discuss, molly) but you also have the big predatory fish like Pbass, Oscar, Arowana, alligator gar and so much more. I don't see any big predatory saltwater fish. And trust me, keeping an ornamental fish and predator fish is a complete different experience. Also we can make paladarium (half land half water type of habitat) and keep things like frogs, salamander and crabs. Or just keep weird animals like axolotl. I don't see saltwater aquarium that incorporate land and water based animals on them. So yeah it's mostly fish but the diversity? It's so much more than you can imagine
4. Not the same water. Honestly? Yeah lol we forgot about that a lot. But most fish can live in the same water. You just have to note a few example of fish that needs certain conditions to live (don't but green spot puffer in a fully fresh water etc)
5. The best toys. Yeah sorry this is a turn off for me because it's just so expensive and I got overwhelmed by the different gadgets and also I like to make my aquarium "natural" so I only use minimal equipments (usually just filter and aeration stuff). But I get that It can be fun for some people
6.fluoresnece. yeah I like this a lot about saltwater. Some fresh water fish does have this to some extent (glofish like you mentioned) but it's not nearly enough to be as pretty as saltwater
7. Personal touch : I kinda agree and disagree with this as well. The reason is, although reef making is definetly much more personalized than making aquascape, we are not limited to that. We can also do paladarium as I mentioned earlier which add so much more complexity and choices. Also we can do natural setup (brackish fish only, etc) so I will say saltwater win slightly in this, but it's not as limiting as you think it is
8. Propagation. While this is true, keep in mind that for beginners it is much easier to propagate and breed fresh water fish and plants. We even have fish that you can basically leave alone in a glass of water and they will breed like rabbit like guppy and Molly. So even though it is more profitable in the long run if you propagate reef, keep in mind that you need experience and knowledge to do that, much more than what you need to start breeding freshwater fish
9. More satisfaction : yeah definetly! But keep in mind, again it's a high reward high risk thing. So if you are beginner, you are much more likely to mess up and loss more money cause salt water is expensive. You even mentioned that newly propagated corals are like $10? So prepare to lose at least twice that amount if you are new and you failed
10. Wild caught fish : honestly ? I don't think fresh water fish keeper should act "holier than thou" as even though most of freshwater fish are bred in farms, some of them are mostly wild caught as well. What's important is we do our best so those creatures can live their life in the best condition possible
I've had both but now my reef tank is my only passion, there's so many levels of learning and complexity
I didn't realize there was such a divide between aquarium enthusiasts! I'm also into performance cars; it reminds me of "Muscle cars vs Import cars," or even "Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge." Lots of snotty looks from opposing sides at shows. Everyone should just do what they like, but no harm in checking out what the other side has to offer!
I really like your reasons. I can see the appeal of salt water fish/tanks. I also never thought of your last reason in a positive light. I can see how it can actually help the fish and the environment and local communities that rely on the fish/coral. My main reason I will probably hold off on salt water fish/tanks is the extra weight that's added. Not only are you taking care of fish but also other living things. Perhaps once I get used to freshwater and understanding the basic fundamentals of caring for fish(how to tell if a fish is sick, eating etc.) I will dip my toe in to the Saltwater hobby.
Jake's back :) Great video as usual, I used to have a freshwater tank way back when I was a wee lad, also kept rare Newts when I was in the UK. Fell in love with Marine tanks in 1997 and got my first 90 gallon FOWLR. Now getting into corals and RFA's
personally,I really like the surprises salt water aquariums bring. the microfauna in a saltwater tank is insane.every night you will fin weird creatures brought in with live rocks and corals.I got surprised by two shrimp, an isopod, and a tube worn.Some people find it to be annoying,but I actually like the feeling of having a diverse ecosystem in my bedroom.
For me it’s the inverts. I could literally have a tank that has NO fish and the amount of Shrimp, Crabs, sea cucumbers and other wild things that exist are just unmatched. And that isn’t even getting into something like a mantis shrimp tank or a Seahorse only tank. So many options
I went over your points with an open mind..I got 4 fresh and 1 saltwater tank..Love em all but my Saltwater tank is definitively my favorite..Great Video
These 2 videos convinced me not to start a saltwater tank, so thanks to you both for saving me a lot of money and anxiety.
We are blessed to have a little slice of nature in our lives no matter what.
For me it is the movement of the fish. Not just the fish are cooler to look at, they are much more interactive then my freshwater fish.
I have African Cichlids that play with a cat toy! They come out and follow it around every time I bring it out. (Red butterfly 🦋 )
Tbh everything loves that toy. Even the rabbit and guinea pig. Oh and the cat ofc. Lol
I'll say I'm intimidated by saltwater, but I do think corals and alike organisms are so interesting. Maybe some day I could try a saltwater tank out. This video just makes me more curious!
I like a simple reef tank with softies. I love their movement. And I love nano saltwater fish. And I like that there are generally fewer fish in a saltwater tank. Getting to know each individual feels more personal. I like that the salt mix takes care of all the chemistry. Biggest downside is the cost. Unquestionably more expensive. Freshwater has never appealed to me because I was drawn straight to salt due to the fish being much prettier.
As someone who is saltwater curious and a reptile keeper, I find it interesting Wild Caught is considered a pro. It’s cool that wild caught in the reef hobby actually can be turned into a pro that helps with conservation.
8 fresh water tanks and just started cycling my first (15gal) salt water last week. Wish me luck.
I’d go fresh. my platies and tetras are easy to keep and they are the love of my life
I really enjoyed hearing these points, Particularly the way you articulated the last one 🙌
Jake, your eloquence, knowledge are impeccable. I keep both freshwater and Saltwater. You pundits should really consider lobbying the producers of lighting for instance, to drop the insane pricing. It's the dangled carrot. You folks promote, they send you free gear etc. Chemicals produce these flawless, perfect tanks lol. Keeping the micro-fauna in balance a never ending battle. If you put water in a glass box, light it correctly, add all the nutrients etc. Algae will grow. It's simply life.
The last one is the one that puts me out more. While is true wild caught can benefit local communities in practice that means there are more likely to be overfished, and for every animal that adapts well in captivity there might be a X amount who doesn't and dies from the stress or injuries from catching. Also there can carry parasites.
That doesn't mean acuiculture itself is perfect, even to this day there still strugle with feeding issues, relaying even more with fishing than usual. Also there is the issue of escape animals that become invasive in some local lakes and rivers, decimating native species too. There are two sides of the same coin.
Been doing saltwater for 25 years, only had freshwater for 9, but here's my take on it: freshwater aquariums are more fun, saltwater is more rewarding. Freshwater is more fun because of all of the crazy and fun ways to decorate it. Want to explore your inner Takahashi Amano? Sure thing, buddy! Wanna use Legos? Okay, that's a weird one, but you do you. Want to replicate one specific rock outcropping of Lake Tanganyika found near Kabonga, Burundi? My brother or sister, replicate it to your heart's content!
Saltwater is super rewarding because you can watch a complete ecosystem bloom from just a few rocks, sand and water. Growing a massive coral colony from a thumbnail sized frag over the course of several years? Wow. Getting to see intimate behaviors of strange, alien creatures like mantis shrimp, knowing that you might be the first person to EVER see that behavior? That's enough to make a biologist jealous!
Both styles of aquarium are amazing, and my fellow aquarists are better than people who don't want aquariums. Period!
Only thing is that i hope aquascaping takes off more in the reef keeping side as it has in the freshwater side
Like I'd estimate 90% of marine keepers I started on freshwater. I kept freshwater for most of my life and always admired marines. I did reasearch for a year and have had a 55Gal for a year now and I love it I haven't regretted it one bit. I still have one fresh water but salt is way better.
What species of saltwater fish was the one in the thumbnail? Looked sick!
I love both Freshwater and Saltwater :) I think they're both fun. I also think the knowledge you develop on chemistry and much more can be extrapolated from the Saltwater hobby, and transitioned into the Freshwater hobby to maybe give diehard Freshwater enthusiasts a new fresh outlook on keeping their tanks, maybe even slightly improving them by having a stronger understanding of stability in a tank.
I don’t like the idea of most of the fish being wild caught, much respect for keeping a reef tank but I think I’ll just stick with my freshwater tanks.
KGTropicals led me to this video. Haha. I had a hard time having reef tank but still, Saltwater hobby captured my heart, fell in love with it.
Having done high end versions of both, saltwater is easier and less maintenance because of the gear. But more $$$.
I got really tired of the weekly 50% water changes a high end planted tank requires to be as pristine as I like it. It got to be more work than pleasure.
This was fun to watch. I have both fresh and saltwater and definitely have more if a passion for saltwater myself.
I have had freshwater tanks in the past, they grow fast, can take care of themselves with minimal equipment/maintenance, and still look amazing. Their are a lot of really good aquascapes, and some awsome fish. BUT IT DOSNT HAVE CORAL! Ugh, so I moved for a new job, I got a great brand new apartment thats spacious and has lots of great spots for an aquarium. But man the start up cost on saltwater is pretty wild, but I know how rough upgrading to larger setups can be from freshwater (which I assume is a lot faster than salt) so I might start buying equipment over time and eventually find a good stand or build my own. Because I already know for sure I'm going to have a sump. Iv never really built anything but I need a new hobby or DiY project and your really selling me more on just taking care of the tank and all the possible options. Iv thought about making a youtube journal or something of the process of getting it all setup running and any events that happen. Eventually the end game is to get a house with plenty of space for longterm/endgame show room.
Good info. glad you have both fresh and salt. ... i've done fresh water for 30 years.... but starting to try out saltwater aqauriums . this is helpful
Follow both of you already. Fun discourse. I keep both so no dog in the hunt. Appreciate it non the less.
I definitely like your points, but any downsides KG pointed out I experienced… It became more work then my full time job. I lost the love… I’m sticking to fresh, for now ;)
I've always had freshwater. Currently have 2 freshwater tanks. Been thinking about a nano reef build. Found your channel from kg tropicals. Love the content and you definitely gained a subscriber
Nanos are cool but crash easier might want to start bigger but if you want an affordable starter nano I always recommend Fluval. I started with their 13.5 kit and I love it
@@kevinpeters6709 This is my concern as well. The general rule is the bigger the tank, the more stable it is so having a nano reef tank really stacks the deck against you.
Thanks for the video, where is the best place to learn about fish only salt water tanks?
Discus and South American cichlids alone make freshwater better for me then saltwater. Tons of personality in those fish. They actually greet me like puppies. I don’t get that from saltwater unless it’s a larger pufferfish.
I keep alot of freshwater planted tanks, and I have a beginner reef tank, mostly softies but it's very fun and I'm hooked now. 😎
Hello Jake, hello Reef Builders. I love both fresh and saltwater, I have both (very recent) and I don't know if salt is better, it's just different. I feel we learn to love different things of these two sides of the hobby. Perhaps the two worlds should talk to eachother a bit more because we could all learn and get inspired
Came over from KG Tropicals. This is really interesting! My in laws kept salt water fish for a long time. I’m still a baby fresh water keeper but one day I’d like to try saltwater.
I love you and miss you. You were the reason I started my tank. Although I have since gave it away due to hair algae taking over my tank. I wish I still had it. It was amazing in the beginning until the algae hit and I couldn’t get rid of it. …
I think if you have the necessary time and money, both fresh- and saltwater aquariums are amazing.
But if you're tight on budget, schedule or both, freshwater is a better option. Still, a good freshwater tank will require some work. But because I'm still both studying and working, I have to admit freshwater is the only option left. Would I try saltwater? Maybe. But by now, from a practical point of view, I'll still stick with freshwater.
Also, I love planted tanks. And while I know there are macroalgae and seagrass (i.e.: Posidonia) which can thrive in saltwater aquariums, freshwater gives you much more options in regard. It sometimes is said you have to either trade off plants for corals, or otherwise round, but even if I'd try a saltwater tank, I would never be able to fully leave freshwater ones.
I am indeed saltwater curious and all your reasons make sense. My dad has had saltwater tanks all my life and they are so beautiful and amazing to just stare at. I only do freshwater because I think I am not ready for saltwater yet. Maybe one day when I make more money I will set a proper saltwater tank.
Came from KGs video, interested in having a salt water aquarium aswell as my freshwater one, you need to have the best of both worlds
as someone that does not have an aquarium yet, i'd love to have both fresh and saltwater aquariums.
I’m 100% on the side of less work needed in a freshwater aquarium but I want at least one saltwater tank. Preferably a 200+ gallon as a show piece just because it’s undeniable that saltwater tanks are much more beautiful
I enjoy both salt and fresh. I have a reef tank, fresh water planted aquarium and a freshwater shrimp tank.
Finally, someone agrees with me
I really want to get into the saltwater aquarium hobby with corals and tropical fish but I really dont know where to start. Any tips or advice?
Just ask around in ur local aquarium store
Where did you get the cool pillows?
I can do marine aquarium. However it has it drawbacks. One of them is things around aquarium will eventually get corroded.
I always immediately said saltwater was way cooler looking. However after looking around at some of the aquascapes in planted tanks with driftwood, and some Discus tanks and angelfish tanks...the discus are absolutely stunning. Both setups can be amazing.
I totally agree with everything listed in the vid. For the most part, I always get passionate and excited with salt. With fresh, not so much.Coming from a guy who had both for the last 25 years.
I have 2 salt waters tanks and I knew I just had to have a fresh water I was pretty creative and I'm happy with it
Where did you get those pillows from?
I'm open minded. I have a 125 fresh and wanna try my hand at salt(smaller scale) I figure if I can maintain a small one, a big one shld be even easier.
R there any saltwater plants to add to a saltwater aquarium?
Macroalgaes are the closest thing
Came here from KGTropical, love both types of fish but haven't done saltwater yet, gonna put in the research before I jump in
I'm a biotopes fan and feel there's more to choose from on the freshwater side, love sw too though
I do like them both. Been in the hobby since the 80s but past 10 years been into salt... my next house will have both tanks
I had a salt reed tank going for about a year, and literally overnight my entire tank died. Fed the fish, hour later i turned out the light, with no signs of anything wrong. Woke up the next morning and the tank was so cloudy you couldn't see the back and everything was dead.
A lot of the lake Malawi cichlids are fluorescent under specific lighting, too.
Question! All the saltwater aquarium I’ve seen (on the internet) always uses neon light, which ofcourse makes the fishes more colourful. But what if you use normal light as you do with fresh water? Will the colour still be as different? What if you use neon light on a fresh water tank?
Hi Jake! great video & I totally agree with everything u said! I much prefer the saltwater hobby for all the reasons u said! 😀👍👍