Saltwater Vs. Freshwater Aquariums: The Best Fish, Tank Setup, & Care For Your Home Aquarium
The Differences Between Saltwater Vs. Freshwater Aquarium Ownership Aren’t As Cut-And-Dry, Or As Shallow, As You Think
It’s no surprise that people enjoy keeping fish in a home aquarium, but it may surprise you just how much! Today, up to 13 million households in the UK (which, for reference, has just over 27 million households in it) have at-home aquariums [1, 2]. Among these, it’s likely that at least one in eight households opts for a saltwater fish tank setup [3]. What’s more, many people who already have some kind of fish tank setup (saltwater or otherwise) can list many different ways fish make better pets than dogs or cats [4].
Yet having a home aquarium is only really enjoyable if you invest in a fish tank setup that complements your space, time, and skill level. After all, nobody feels calmed by having to clean up algae blooms or #blessed when the (potentially expensive) fish in your home aquarium aren’t thriving! That’s why it’s important to choose the best fish and the best fish tank setup for you before you get started. Contact us today to work with one of our home aquarium experts, or keep reading to find out how to make the best decisions so you can have the best home aquarium experience!
Why Choose To Have Any Kind Of Home Aquarium At All
Having a home aquarium is one thing where what you put into it has a direct impact on how much you get out. That may explain why it's increasingly popular to invest in big, custom, and unusual home aquariums rather than just picking up a bowl and a betta.
The popularity of having a home aquarium is likely due, at least in part, to what people have known for years about them: not only do they require far less labor (and cause less damage to a household) than household pets, but they also potentially lower blood pressure, increase productivity, calm hyperactivity, reduce feelings of pain, and promote healthy sleep [5]. Yet these benefits are only really possible if you do a good job designing and maintaining your at-home fish tank setup.
That’s why having a so-called “fantasy fish tank†setup — which really includes anything other than the goldfish and bowls you’re likely to find at your local pet shop — is an increasingly common choice [6]. This kind of fish tank setup is much more a piece of living, nature-based art than it is a fishbowl [7]. Despite popular misconceptions, it’s important to note that “fantasy†aquariums are not always saltwater (though a saltwater fish tank setup is a type of “fantasy†aquarium by default). Because you can have a beautiful, one-of-a-kind home aquarium using either water type, it’s essential to understand the differences between saltwater vs. freshwater aquarium ownership before committing to either.
Key Considerations For Getting Started With Your Home Aquarium
What To Decide On First: The Right Fish Tank Setup For Your Skills, Experience, & Knowledge
On the surface (or, perhaps, below it), the differences between a saltwater vs. freshwater aquarium may seem monumental. People feel intimidated by the costs and complexity of a saltwater fish tank setup, so a freshwater home aquarium may seem like an inherently easier design. In today’s fantasy home aquarium market, however, these stereotypes don’t hold much water.
It is true that many freshwater environments in nature go through seasonal flooding/drying events, which make freshwater-adapted fish (often) a little better able to adjust to inconsistent or not-quite-right pH and water composition [8]. Nevertheless, just like a saltwater fish tank setup needs specialized equipment and additives depending on the fish in your home aquarium, today’s freshwater aquariums, too, can need additives, temperature, aeration, and depth control, as well as different and difficult-to-cultivate plant life to ensure that freshwater fish can thrive [9]. This ultimately can make the costs and complexity very similar between both saltwater and freshwater tanks.
There is a beginner-level fish tank setup (as well as moderate- and advanced-level setups) for both water types, so it is important to realistically consider whether you are willing to buy the necessary products and learn the necessary care and maintenance skills required for a more advanced fish tank setup no matter whether you choose a saltwater vs. freshwater aquarium.
Read More: Starting A Saltwater Marine Aquarium
The Second Choice: Know The Best Fish For Your Home Aquarium
When deciding between a saltwater vs. freshwater aquarium, the first thing many people consider is what fish they want. Yet it’s also essential to consider how your space, time, and budgetary constraints can shape the best fish options for your home aquarium. Some species prefer shallow or brackish water (like halfbeaks), others need specific kinds, colors, and depths of substrate (like angelfish), and many have different needs when it comes to balancing coral, plants, and open water in the fish tank setup [10, 11]. So mixing different fish with different needs doesn’t set you up for much success maintaining a healthy home aquarium environment.
Moreover, some species are predatory, while others will simply be deeply unhappy in smaller tanks or in the presence of other specific species. Having more kinds of fish in your home aquarium will increase your odds of enjoying it, as will having healthier fish that live longer [12]. Consequently, you should start by considering if you want specific varieties of fish that dictate whether you need a saltwater vs. freshwater aquarium. Then the next step is to consider the available space you have for your home aquarium, whether it will be the best fit for having those fish in your home aquarium, and how including those highly-desirable fish in your home aquarium will dictate the best fish and coral options for you going forward.
READ MORE: The Top 5 Marine Aquarium Beginner Fish
The Third Step: The Best Fish Tank Setup For Your Home
Choosing the wrong fish tank setup can have devastating effects on both the fish in your home aquarium and your experience having one. That’s because a tank that is too big, too small, inappropriately filtered or lighted, or otherwise not quite right for your space, skills, and lifestyle can be hard to maintain, harmful for your fish, and bad for your energy bill [13]. When debating between a saltwater vs. freshwater aquarium, you should keep in mind that a saltwater fish tank setup often needs more space — both for the tank itself and also for the associated equipment [14]. Thus, smaller and more cramped spaces are likely better suited to a freshwater fish tank setup. What’s more, cultivating coral — whether you purchase it in-store or buy coral online in either frags or full colonies — and living plants in your home aquarium can call for very specific water temperature and UV light exposure, meaning that where the fish tank setup exists relative to windows and heat sources can be critical to tank survival.
If you don’t have the space for what you want (like a saltwater and/or live coral tank), it may be best to consider how you can achieve a similar appearance in your fish tank setup without needing the same space and care (like having a freshwater tank with similarly-beautiful fish and faux corals). An expert in the industry will be able to help you design a home aquarium that meets both your aesthetics and your abilities as an aquarium owner!
READ MORE: The Top Reef-Keeping Mistakes
The Best Choice: Advice About & Ongoing Care For Your Fish, Tank Setup, & Corals
Almost anyone can be successful keeping fish in a home aquarium, regardless of choosing a saltwater vs. freshwater aquarium environment. That is true so long as the space you have available for your fish tank setup meets the basic needs of the fish in your home aquarium (as well as those of any live plants or corals you choose), and you are prepared to invest the time, money, and resources into designing the best space, choosing the best fish, and maintaining the best tank environment.
That’s not to say that you are (or will be) completely alone when navigating the sometimes-murky waters of researching and creating an ideal fish tank setup. The best home aquariums, these days, are those whose owners choose to work with and seek expert advice and services when designing and caring for their in-home aquariums. That’s where we come in: here at Kraken Corals, we’re proud to carry the best fish and home aquarium products — and to employ the best experts on fish tank setup and care. Visit our online store to find out more about our stock and how to buy coral online from us, contact us to get advice on your unique fish tank setup needs and ideas, or visit our FAQ to learn more about the products, livestock, and services we provide
Sources:
1. https://ornamentalfish.org/what-we-do/represent-the-industry/pets-in-society/
2. https://www.statista.com/statistics/281627/households-in-the-united-kingdom-uk-by-size/
3. https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-pet-statistics
4. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/fish-pets_b_1526919
5. https://www.curejoy.com/content/benefits-of-aquarium-at-home/
6. https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/19/garden/19aqua.html
7. https://www.barrons.com/articles/home-aquariums-become-nature-based-art-experiences-01560785400
8. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-017-6295-3_8
9. https://www.petmd.com/fish/general-health/freshwater-versus-saltwater-aquariums-what-you-need-know
10. https://www.petguide.com/breeds/fish/halfbeak/
11. http://www.aboutangelfish.com/choosing-the-best-angelfish-aquarium-decor-for-a-natural-habitat/
12. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-33716589
13. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/blog/2010/mar/17/ask-leo-fish
14. https://www.aquariumarchitecture.com/archive/saltwater-aquarium-vs-freshwater/