Salt or Fresh water? Help?

I recently volunteered at a pet store/ Humane Society and I was given a 55 gal Tank. I have everything I need to start a Salt water tank except the fish etc.. I just don't know if I should start with a salt water tank considering this will be my first aquarium other than a gold fish bowl. . Also If I already have a salt water test kit, can I still use it to test freshwater, or is there that big of a difference? If I decide to go salt water what are the recommended fish species(s)?, And the same question for Freshwater. Thank you.

 

I don't believe the Saltwater kit will generate accurate results for Freshwater tanks. a salt water tank that size is going to take a much larger investment of money and time to get running.. the live rock alone will cost more than setting up the Freshwater tank probably.

I'd recommend looking through the fish species links here: https://www.fishlore.com/TropicalFishProfiles.htm and and see what catches your eye and sounds fun.. there's so many wonderful fish, it's hard to recommend some without narrowing down what you'd like.

welcome to fishlore & great pickup on the 55g. it will make a great tank either way.

 

It really depends on your budget. Saltwater tanks are much more expensive to set up and maintain and the fish are more expensive. You also have to monitor more water parameters such as specific gravity. If you're a complete beginner I'd suggest starting with a freshwater tank and gaining experience with that first before moving on to a saltwater tank.

 

great pick up...i'm trying to do the same at a local animal hospital
I would start out with fw...I did a lot of research on sw and it was gonna get really expensive...really quick, so I decided to stick w/ fw until I can fund a good sized sw tank ;D

 

It really depends on your budget. Saltwater tanks are much more expensive to set up and maintain and the fish are more expensive. You also have to monitor more water parameters such as specific gravity. If you're a complete beginner I'd suggest starting with a freshwater tank and gaining experience with that first before moving on to a saltwater tank.

I agree with Guzalot.

 

I don't believe the Saltwater kit will generate accurate results for Freshwater tanks. a salt water tank that size is going to take a much larger investment of money and time to get running.. the live rock alone will cost more than setting up the Freshwater tank probably.

I'd recommend looking through the fish species links here: https://www.fishlore.com/TropicalFishProfiles.htm and and see what catches your eye and sounds fun.. there's so many wonderful fish, it's hard to recommend some without narrowing down what you'd like.

welcome to fishlore & great pickup on the 55g. it will make a great tank either way.

Live rock is not the only way to go, it's just the most common way. saltwater tanks can be cheaper when setup without live rock and basic decorations. Yes saltwater is a little more money, depending what you want. Yes there's more levels to watch. But really if you are dedicated and are realllllyyyy serious you can start with saltwater, but if you have any doubts best like everybody else said start with freshwater.

 

freshwater for sure....salt water is a more costly investment and much harder to maintain at times....the test stripes would work but the levels considered good for salt water are much different..most local pets shops Petsmart and Petco..are two big ones that you may have in your area...will test your water for free...55g is a nice size tank...you could start a large community tank...I love guppies...but they breed often... tetras are also a nice fish...check out some of the pages...I know there are some titled freshwater beginners....Good luck