The Advantages Of Freshwater Aquaria

The Problems With Marine Aquariums

There is no doubt that marine aquariums can be incredibly spectacular. The range of brightly coloured saltwater fish and corals can be used to recreate amazing miniature reefs. Such aquariums are often the original inspiration for people to purchase their first fish tank.

Unfortunately marine aquariums have many disadvantages that may not be obvious to the potential fish owner. This article is aimed at those new fish owners who have stopped to consider what type of aquarium they will choose.

Marine Aquarium Cost

The luxury nature of saltwater aquaria places these fish homes at the top of the price pyramid. Setting up a freshwater aquarium can be expensive, but the costs involved with marine fish tanks are consistently less affordable. If you are an aspiring Deuce Bigalow looking for a new way to flaunt your money then maybe marine aquariums are for you. Your local pet shop knows marine aquariums can be a symbol of wealth and is more than happy to charge accordingly. Equipment must be made from materials that can withstand the corrosive nature of the saltwater. Approach any marine aquarium purchase with an open mind, and an open wallet.

The Empty Nest

A favourite aspect of fish keeping is watching the miracle of reproduction. There is nothing more enjoyable than seeing a new batch of guppies grow into their adult colours or witnessing a doting convict parent heard it's young. If these sound like pass times you might also enjoy, then you may be disappointed with a marine aquarium. There are only a small handful of saltwater fish that are bred in captivity. These marine species that do reproduce, will not breed easily like many freshwater fish.

Ethics

Due to the rare captive reproduction of marine fish most are collected from natural reef ecosystems. This places strain on the environments from which the fish originate. The marine capture methods used in some foreign countries can be very destructive. Flooding the reef with poisons can make fish capture simple but needlessly kills other organisms. On the other hand most freshwater fish species are produced for the aquarium trade in artificial environments.

Plants

Marine aquariums are not for you if you have ambitions of exercising your aquatic green thumb. Perhaps you could grow some kelp but don't expect to find any in a pet shop. The range available means they are generally not stocked in retail outlets.

Complications

When it comes to marine aquariums there is a lot less room for error regarding most aspects. Marine reefs are sensitive ecosystems that will not tolerate fluctuation. Your saltwater fish tank will require a number of water test kits that you can usually do without in freshwater aquaria.