Is it true that saltwater fish tanks are HARD to take care of?

I have 3 reef tanks which are 36 gallon, 20 gallon, and my new 1.6 gallon. The smaller the tank, the more difficult it is. I don't find anything hard about any of my tanks though. If you set up an advanced system with a sump, auto top off and water change resivors then salt water tank can be nothing other than easy. Any proper marine tank can easily cost some big moneys. Then again, I could spend big money on a fresh water tank with plants, good lighting, and co2 injector.

Compared to a simple freshwater tank, yes they are a bit "harder". I'm not sure if "harder" is really the right word, but it's more technical. You have more parameters that need to be checked, and the fish are more sensitive if you don't get things right. Small mistakes can lead to dead fish, where in a freshwater tank they might just look a bit off colour and you do a water change and they are OK. It's also more expensive as you need a bigger tank, better lighting, more test gear and supplies, plus the fish cost more. Now this doesn't mean it's impossible, just more technical and expensive than a simple freshwater tank. Main advice I would give someone wanting marine fish. Do the research, then you can set up the tank correctly with the right equipment, and you will know how to maintain it. That way you have a good chance of success. Ian

Well you guys are a ball of fun and encouragement eh? I myself have started my first marine tank just a couple of days ago and they're not as hard as you think. I've been keeping freshwater fish for 6 years, since I was 9. First you need to know the 3 different types of set ups... Fish Only Fish and Live Rock (Dead coral skeletons with all sorts of little critters within them, hence the name 'live') Only. Reef. Fish only, is simplest. You need a normal light, a temperature between 24-29C and probably something else in their to keep the fish happy. Clownfish are a good starter, but read up on your fish and their needs buddy. FIsh and Live Rock Only, much the same you have the same fish, but dead coral with little organsims on it, to keep them alive isn't much different to fish. You may want to keep you temperature more stable to keep the little animals in the live rock alive and makes sure there's detritus and algae for them to feed on. Actinic Light may be needed if you have coral growing on em. Reef is hardest, but not specifically hard. Most corals are photosynthetic and there's a special light for that called Actinic light, and a lot are filter feeders too so you will either need plenty of plankton in your water (usually found on live rock and come out at night). Get soft coral to start with because they don't need such good water conditions as hard corals and anemones. Best option now is to research the net and websites, that's what I did and I have got a pretty good tank going. :D Hope my newbie wisdom helped you somewhat.

yes, saltwater tanks are hard to look after, it takes allot of time and money they are usually kept by more experienced fish keepers

Good question and the answer is yes, the marine life is extremely sensitive to changes that can naturally occur such explosion in various toxic levels. However there are tanks out there with great filtration system that do make the task so so so much easier and beginner friendly. the biorb aquariums are known to be highly technological when it comes to filtering and could be what your are looking for if your a beginner in this area. Don't let the work scare you off though because these tanks are fantastic :) Good luck