Fish Only or Reef Tank

[malawi]

Which one you guys choose and tell me why, I want some input...Thanks...Im at a cross rd of choice:spin3:

[cidbozek]

Much enjoyment messing with all aspects of a reef tank! But that's just my opinion! Go reef lol!

[Tomtopping]

To many nice corals out there to not have a couple

[ReefingWerewolf]

Idk, im kina contemplating this with my tank, the whole idea from the beggining was to get a nice REEF tank. But the more I look at pictures the more I want a butterflyfish dominated tank, and that means few corals...

[maddmaxx]

Reef got my vote. just so much more diverse and that much more satisfying then FO...

[DDon]

Reef for me. Love the diversity and natural look.

[malawi]

Yeah I just voted reef also, I just started off with my tank,, if I just go with fish only, It just like me having a upgraded African cichlid tank,, but with the reef its a lot more...but also with the reef its a lot more work then a fish only tank...I weighting my odds..but from the looks of it Im going to have a reef tank it just going to take me a lot longer, ,, by the way I have my first frag and its doing well button polyp...

[fishchef]

A long time ago I was thinking of doing only corals and clams. An LFS here tried that, but found that you needed some fish waste in the system. SW fish are very cool also and it makes for a more natural environment. We have some very old fish like over 15 years. Some of our corals are about that old too.

[Boboli]

Seems like it mite be a biased poll when this fourum is named "REEF Central".

[malawi]

Seems like it mite be a biased poll when this fourum is named "REEF Central".

Hahahahahaha

[E46Twist]

I think it depends more on the amount of work you want to do and money you want to spend. If money and time are no issue there is nothing more amazing than watching a sixline peck around your zoa garden while a torch coral sways in the background. Just remember that once you buy your first coral you become trapped in a never ending habit :)

[santanzchild]

should probably be having your spouse take that poll its all there money and time with you that is at stake.

[Big_Boss_77]

I recently faced this dilemma myself, I decided why not have a bit both? Yeah I'm not gonna be able to keep every fish or every coral ever in the history of the hobby, but with some diligent research and patience I can get 90% of everything I want. So it really all boils down to what you want and what you're willing to do to get it!

[toothybugs]

I did the FOWLR thing once, I found it basically wasn't any different than a freshwater tank minus the skimmer and salt. A reef is SO much more diverse and engaging.

Doing FOWLR to say you have a saltwater aquarium is like buying a 4-cylinder Mustang and saying you drive a sports car. Sure, it's a step in the right direction, but is it really...? ;)

[Big_Boss_77]

Doing FOWLR to say you have a saltwater aquarium is like buying a 4-cylinder Mustang and saying you drive a sports car. Sure, it's a step in the right direction, but is it really...? ;)

Great analogy... if you consider a mustang a sports car :p
But yeah, that's a perfect analogy

[reepher315]

A reef tank is much more colorful and intersting to look at imo. Makes for a more interactive tank.

[HumbleFish]

Both have pros & cons. As mentioned above, a reef is much more diverse/beautiful. It's also more work (dosing, testing) and expensive (lights, supplements, more expensive salt). And then you'll find all these cool fish that aren't "reef safe". So, in a perfect world it would be great to have both a FO & reef. If you decide to go FO, do something cool like a "butterfly garden" tank. That's what I want my next tank to be. ;)

[benjc]

Fish only is easier, less expensive, and you can keep a wider variety of fish. Reef tank affords the opportunity for variety of life. If your interest is solely in the fish, go fish-only; if you're trying to recreate a slice of the ocean...go reef.

[Its.Evannn]

Great analogy... if you consider a mustang a sports car :p
But yeah, that's a perfect analogy


What about a 6-cylinder one? not that I have one ;) haha

But reef gets my vote! Love the diversity and challenge it brings. It's not just putting fish together. It's putting places for them to hide(clownfish in an anemone etc.) and trying to get everything to work together as a large community. I like the whole reef aspect.

[Mrramsey]

I have a mixed reef (well right now just a reef) so some fish. I say reef if you are up to it. There is definitely a higher cost and larger time commitment to a reef. It is dooable on a budget if needed. Patience is the key. Like I said.... i still have no fish, started the tank back in february added some corals in june... Just patiently waiting and letting them do their tank while letting it mature a bit more. Good luck!

[tanksfishtank]

Hard question to answer! I love the personality of a good puffer fish, almost like having a interactive/loving dog. However, the pure beauty of a "well maintained" colorful reef is amazing as well. That being said, I have a reef tank.

[kmbyrnes]

My next move is to get a bigger reef and turn my 110 into a FOWLR so I can keep all the cool non-reef safe fish I want but can't have.

[malawi]

Fish only is easier, less expensive, and you can keep a wider variety of fish. Reef tank affords the opportunity for variety of life. If your interest is solely in the fish, go fish-only; if you're trying to recreate a slice of the ocean...go reef.

Yeah I see,, like I said I have a amazing 150gl african cichlid tank haps and peacocks, I have a 55gl tank also and that's starting off as a reef,, I have just one frag tho..5 fish....2 clowns, royal gramma, orange spotted blenny, neon dotty back, snails, hermit crabs, so if I do go with a fish only tank..it will be my 150gl

[malawi]

Fish only is easier, less expensive, and you can keep a wider variety of fish. Reef tank affords the opportunity for variety of life. If your interest is solely in the fish, go fish-only; if you're trying to recreate a slice of the ocean...go reef.

Yeah I see,, like I said I have a amazing 150gl african cichlid tank haps and peacocks, I have a 55gl tank also and that's starting off as a reef,, I have just one frag tho..5 fish....2 clowns, royal gramma, orange spotted blenny, neon dotty back, snails, hermit crabs, so if I do go with a fish only tank..it will be my 150gl:D