Freshwater vs Saltwater aquariums is a perennial debate that would rage more frequently if we didn’t have a near total divide between the saline reefers and softwater aquarists. Once upon a time the vast majority of saltwater aquarists got their start in keeping live fish at home through prior experience with freshwater fish, almost universally, but that unsalted segway is no longer the norm.
With no prior experience in learning some of the basics of aquarium keeping and some uniquely freshwater approaches to dealing with various aquarium challenges, the strictly saltwater aquarists are deprived of some foundational knowledge that would greatly inform their saltwater aquarium experience. And vice versa for the freshwater aquarists who get a little deeper into their hobbies and never get exposure to automatic filter rolls for heavy bio-loaded aquariums, fine tuning of LED lights to make their fish look better, or some of the automation that can streamline their freshwater tanks.
As all around aquarists we’ve always looked to other aquatic disciplines including freshwater tanks, koi ponds, and even hydroponics to find new tips and tricks that have crossover potential for improving the things we apply to our saltwater aquarium and reef tanks. In an effort to start a discussion between the freshies and the old salts we’ve collaborated with KG Tropicals to create a pair of videos to kick things off – Freshwater vs. Saltwater!
KG Tropical’s video spotlights 10 reasons why freshwater is better than saltwater tanks and naturally we take the opposite stance but it’s all in good fun, and we don’t actually believe that any of the aquarium disciplines are better than another. Big thanks to John Hudson for including us in our first collaboration with a youtuber from the other side of the aquarium aisle and it’s our sincere hope that even if no one is convinced, they can still be informed as to what’s going on in the broader aquarium world and maybe pick up some ideas for whatever kind of tank that they keep.
