Introduction

One of the questions people ask when thinking about establishing an aquarium, is what type of aquarium should I have, freshwater or saltwater? One of the considerations is which one requires more maintenance? Well it might surprise you that the maintenance is about the same.

Common Maintenance Needed For An Aquarium

The maintenance that is common to both the freshwater and saltwater aquariums are:

• Water Change Out- Both types of aquariums will require you to change out at least 10% of your water every week.

• Vacuum- Freshwater and saltwater aquariums will also need to have the waste removed. This is normally done when you do the water change out. The only difference between the two is that the water from the saltwater aquarium cannot be used in plants and gardens. However the water from a freshwater aquarium is full of fish waste, nitrates and phosphates, which is one of the best fertilizers that you can give your plants.

• Chemical Testing- Both aquariums will require periodic testing for chemicals such as ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and pH.

• Algae- Algae will have to be dealt with in both tanks, either by cleaning or having a marine life that will eat it.

Differences In Maintenance

There are a few differences in the types of maintenance done on these aquariums:

• Adding Salt- When doing a water replacement, a freshwater aquarium will require you to ensure that the chemicals from tap water are removed. This can be done by letting the water set overnight and using a conditioner. This is the same for a saltwater aquarium but the difference is you must add salt to the replacement water.

• Salt Measurement - A saltwater aquarium will require you to perform a salt measurement on the water you add to the aquarium with a hydrometer.

• Protein Skimmer- A freshwater aquarium does not need a protein skimmer but it is recommended for a saltwater aquarium. This device will remove organic wastes to prevent the build up of toxic chemicals such as ammonia. Having this device will require periodic cleaning to remove the build up of organic wastes.

Conclusion

The maintenance of freshwater and saltwater aquariums is very similar. There are a few more chores required if you have a saltwater aquarium. But these extra duties are not that much of an effort and should not stop you from establishing one of these aquariums.