Setting up a salt water fish tank can provide a stimulating hobby for years to come, as well as something beautiful to look at. Deciding to purchase a salt water fishaquarium is a big decision, though, and many factors should be taken into consideration. There are a lot of things to learn about reef aquariums and salt water fish, and this hobby definitely requires some time and patience.
There are basically three different methods of setting up a salt water fish tank; only with fish, with fish and live rock, or only with live rock. While setting up reef aquariums for fish only, though, it's still good to purchase equipment that can be used for live rock, so it can be added later on. Many people find that a salt water fishaquarium is lacking something without the live rock, and decide to add it.
It's also a good idea to read some literature about setting up a salt water fish tank. There are a lot of books about salt water tropical fish and fish tanks, but the newest editions should be the most useful, because there have been some recent changes in the equipment. There are also different methods for maintaining live rock in reef aquariums that have come along, and improved types of coral. It should be easy to find salt water fishaquarium books online that explain all of these details, though.
While setting up a salt water fish tank may seem like an easy project, it is actually quite a complex undertaking, so it's best to be as prepared as possible.
