| Fish Only | | | | in the tank because the porous nature of the live |
| A fish only saltwater tank is the most affordable | | | | rock filters them out of the water. |
| option out of the three because it doesn't require | | | | Although live rock is an exceptional biological |
| an expensive lighting setup. This type of aquarium, | | | | filtration system, your saltwater aquarium will still |
| however, is not the most simple to put together. | | | | require maintenance and frequent water changes. |
| Setup can take a long time while you wait for the | | | | Add iodine, calcium, strontium, magnesium, and |
| nitrogen cycle to finish, and maintenance is a | | | | other minerals on a regular basis to keep the |
| hassle, as the tank needs more frequent | | | | water healthy. |
| cleanings. With no live rock in the aquarium, less | | | | Fiji rock is the best live rock you can get, but it's |
| filtration occurs and you'll have to change the | | | | also the most expensive (live rock doesn't come |
| water on a consistent basis to remove excess | | | | cheap). Generally, a live rock aquarium requires 1-2 |
| nitrates from the water. | | | | pounds of live rock per aquarium gallon. Prices for |
| | | | live rock vary depending on the region. |
| A fish only aquarium can be a community tank or | | | | Live rock also provides food for your fish. |
| a semi-aggressive tank. A community tank | | | | Reef Tanks |
| contains fish that work well together, while a | | | | Reef tanks are perfect for invertebrates, corals, |
| semi-aggressive tank is home to lone fish from a | | | | and anemones. Most people set up this type of |
| variety of different species. In most cases, | | | | tank for reef keeping - if there are any fish in the |
| however, it's a good idea to stick to the same | | | | tank they aren't the main attraction. |
| species in one tank. | | | | This is an expensive type of aquarium to maintain, |
| Fish Only With Live Rock | | | | as invertebrates, corals, and anemones cost a lot |
| This type of aquarium is exactly the same as the | | | | to keep. |
| fish only tank except for the live rock and | | | | Only the experienced aquarist sets up a reef tank |
| superior lighting. Live rock is making a comeback | | | | because they can be difficult to maintain. You |
| due to its natural filtration features, which is the | | | | have to sustain excellent water conditions, make |
| best way to keep a saltwater aquarium clean and | | | | use of expensive lighting, use reverse osmosis or |
| safe for your fish. The organisms that live in and | | | | deionized water, add supplements, and purchase |
| on the rock contribute to the filtration process | | | | live rock for filtration. |
| and aid in the nitrogen cycle. Less nitrates build up | | | | |