As much as I hated to do it....

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I had to recommend a freshwater tank to a friend who has a 5 year old son who wanted a tank for various reasons.

What criteria do y’all use when recommending saltwater over freshwater to someone who asks?

 

[Reefer1978]

Cost is a huge factor. Freshwater is a lot more forgiving, and doesn't hurt the wallet so much. But look on the bright side, he may graduate into SW eventually. We all start somewhere.

 

[dwair]

I had to recommend a freshwater tank to a friend who has a 5 year old son who wanted a tank for various reasons.

What criteria do y’all use when recommending saltwater over freshwater to someone who asks?

Honestly time they have to spend on the tank. Its not even cost, literal time. SW as we all know takes alot more time than freshwater, maybe not once its established, but the startup and at least the first 6 months, you are constantly doing things to the tank.

Then of course cost and what interests them.

 

[Smarkow]

I don’t know that I would ever *recommend* saltwater to somebody who didn’t ask. I feel like the first year failure rate is so high and the potential for lost aquatic life and money so much higher than in fresh... so I would wait for somebody to basically say “I have to do this... I need saltwater in my life” haha

But for the suitably motivated hobbyist, I think as long as somebody is willing to learn (both in doing research, and from their own mistakes) everything else can me managed

 

[SMSREEF]

Fresh is always a good place to start when a kid. That’s how I started and once in high school moved to saltwater.

Getting the water changes, feeding fish, and cleaning tank under your belt for a few years sets someone up better to start a saltwater tank.

If parents are already reefers then it may make sense to start with a nano saltwater tank though.

 

[Roman009]

I wouldn’t feel bad about that recommendation. The higher likelihood of success in fresh with lead them to salt one day. Which will add to our Army!

 

[New&no clue]

I never had a freshwater tank, unless you count the beta fish I kept in a wine goblet in college, so I probably wouldn't recommend it to anyone as I have no idea what goes into it. I also wouldn't recommend saltwater to anyone either. However, if someone came to me and said they wanted to start a saltwater tank I would talk them through it. I have a 30 gallon tank at my office and my coworkers always ask about it. I do most of the maintenance after hours or weekends so they never see that side of it, they just see a tank with pretty fish and swaying corals.

 

[Waters]

I usually base it on how serious the person is about the hobby. Somebody with mild interest in aquariums I usually recommend freshwater.

 

[ScottR]

I’ve always felt FW and SW are not comparable. Yes both are glass cages with water and fish but they’re completely different. But it also depends on where you plan to go with it. If FW: just fish or planted? SW: Fish only or reef? Oddly I was never successful with FW but always has it easy with salt.

 

[Leadfooted]

It's a great start/suggestion. When my son gets old enough, I'll let him start with a FW tank as well. I hope to teach him more about maintaining proper water chemistry/environment instead of just naming fish and looking at them. I feel there's a much great appreciation for the fish when the ecosystem is understood. Don't get me wrong, we'll have fun naming/feeding them too, but a little education along the way won't hurt. No doubt its easier for children or beginners to comprehend most keep points in a FW system versus SW so it's a good call on your part.

 

[firmefatboy799]

cost #1 and time for hobby#2, for kids fresh is always safer , and by safe I mean for the tank inhabitants, kids overfeed or stick their hands or toys into tanks and I feel freshwater would be more forgiving along with the fish not being so sensitive,

 

[tautog83]

Yes , cost and their interest . You can be successful with freshwater with an oversized hob filter filled with ammo carb and a small bottle of prime an keep just about anything .

 

[Dark_Knightt]

I had to recommend a freshwater tank to a friend who has a 5 year old son who wanted a tank for various reasons.

What criteria do y’all use when recommending saltwater over freshwater to someone who asks?

Basiclly what one prefers. I haved always loved the ocean and animals that why i went with saltwater for my first tank. I think a lil kid might love a SW tank, as long as its parent does a bit of maintenance.

 

[WVNed]

I think you gave excellent advice.

 

[desagon]

My brother and his girlfriend always talk about getting a saltwater tank. They perceive it as easy and beautiful because I don’t work on it while they’re over. I finally showed them what it takes to maintain a reef. The cost associated. The fail rate. The algae’s. The Dino’s. Everything that forces new people out of the hobby. They changed their mind and Probably for the better. A lot of new people see mature tanks and get talked into getting one without understanding what it takes to get there.

 

[WVNed]

Interesting FW things to keep that cost less that $1
19 cents

79 cents

Just as fun to me as these guys.

 

[dank reefer]

How deep are your Pockets?

Not Deep = Stick to fresh water
Deep = Buy a 20g NANO.

 

[Ike]

Considering I want to tell a lot of people that are already doing it that they probably shouldn't be, I tend to err on the side of no recommendation

 

[Katrina71]

For me, it depends on genuine ability to care for the tank.

 

[ReefBeta]

Betta tank with some spongebob castle and maybe some underwater led. If they want the kid into fish keeping, give what kids like, not what adults like.