Tropical Fish Forums

[Flame Angel]

What do you guys prefer?

For me I'd have to say saltwater looks much better (especially reef tanks), although freshwater is so easy to maintain compared to a reef tank. (I have both).

[Heather R]

I prefer the look of saltwater tanks, but I have freshwater. I am not brave enough to try my novice hands at saltwater.
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[arachnar]

would love a saltwater but a lot more complicated than freshwater,first more rainbows in a huge tank
then african cichlids
then maybe I'll hire a company to make a reef system aquarium for me,I know not very "hands on"but don't want to risk disaster
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[Pete Harcoff]

I can't really pick one over the other. IMHO, a well planted and aquascaped freshwater tank can look just as impressive as a well-cared for reef tank.

[Michael L.]

I agree with Pete. They are two totally different styles and it's hard to pick and choose as far as how they look.

At the same time, my personal preference for maintaining aquariums would be freshwater planted. I really like the look of plants and I enjoy mixing two hobbys in one.

At this time, I can't afford to go SW (I could do FOWLR, but if you go SW, you may as well just go for a reef) so I'll have to stick with FW planted anyways.
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[invertmaniac]

a planted tank of discus is better than any saltwater. you can have more fish with less problems
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[Flame Angel]

[arachnar]

I just think you should perfect keeping demanding freshwater plants and fish with a great aquascape then try a reef which is way more challenging,as mentioned reefs are very rewarding but most are not willing to put in the money to make anything out of them where as in freshwater you can hae beauty for less
here are some very cool sites http://www.greenchapter.com/portfolio.php?tp=300
and AGA for those that haven't discovered it yet,I like the recent paludariums the most ;looking at the perfect aquascapes gets boring fast.
http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2006.cgi
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[Jun]

I actually prefer the look of freshwater, as well. :P I like dark tanks with tall, green plants and neat aquascaping better than reef tanks. I guess all those colours popping out at me at once is a little overwhelming... @_@ I can honestly say I'm not a fan of bright colours -- all my fish (with the exception of my bettas) are silver, gold/bronze and black. =p I keep fish as a relaxing hobby (I need it, my goodness), and for me, looking at a dark, nicely aquascaped freshwater is much more peaceful and relaxing than a bright saltwater tank with neon-coloured fish swimming everywhere.

Don't get me wrong, I like saltwater tanks as well, and I don't mean to sound like a hater, but I guess I'd rather see them at a huge aquarium or zoo rather than in my home. *shrug* n_n'

[Serkan]

I definitely compare the look of freshwater. With freshwater you have the ability to be unique and create your own aquascape.

All your reef tanks look almost identical.

Flameangel even supported this when he posted those 2 photos of reef tanks from two different angles.

With freshwater you can diversify. You'd think that since there is so much more saltwater then there is fresh water, that there'd be more saltwater species kept in aquariums then freshwater. However, this is not the case.

With freshwater you can be different. Oh and just for the sake of it. Most discus tanks look the same as well. You discus people should try something different.
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