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What do i need to set up a 100 gallon aquarium?

I am buying a 100 gallon aquarium with the stand, light, and hood for $125 which seems like a good deal. I am undecided on if i want it to be freshwater or saltwater. I have been researching but there is so much information that i don't know where to begin! What do i need to start a setup and what is the average cost to maintain it? Any suggestions???

Public Comments

1. With a tank that size, I would go saltwater, as marine fish are larger and more colorful than most freshwater. That's only if you have the money. Including the fish and everything it is going to cost you about twice as much to setup a saltwater tank, but maintenance is about the same.
2. I would make your tank a tropical freshwater aquarium. The fish cost less and you can stock your tank well and make it look really nice. You could get like 20 neon tetras and 12 fancy guppies, and also like 7 swordtails and 7 miniature gourami's. These will all go good together and will make your aquarium look wonderful. I think that the average overall cost would be around $215-$250. That is a super deal, and the maintenance won't be nearly as much hard as it would be with a saltwater aquarium. Have fun and hope that I helped!!!
3. Definitely do saltwater - I have a 30 gallon saltwater tank and you'll love the fish. I want a yellow tang but they do best in a 50 gallon tank and up.
4. Well if you are just starting I would go with freshwater so you can get some experience and know what you are doing before you head into something more expensive like saltwater fish. Saltwater is far more expensive then freshwater and some say harder to keep. But if you have the time and money and you think you could handle saltwater than go for it.
5. To be honest, I would go with freshwater and set up a tank with Cichlids. If you don't know what they are, research them. They are very cool. Because of how they were..evolutionized (funny word :]) you can find many different varieties of them, and they all look very cool as well. This has some good and valid information. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cichlid
6. I have to agree with the freshwater comments.. I have both, but if you are just getting into fish Freshwater is cheaper and easier to get running. I'm running a 90gallon African Cichlid tank http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0CoFogxq9s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHGDB6_div0 Cichlids have great color, and because they can be somewhat aggresive it's best to overpopulate to help deal with that. (with more fish you need more filtration, i run 3 filters on my cichlid tank) I used this website as my bible when setting up my 1st Cichlid tank.. http://www.cichlid-forum.com/ lots of information out there.. do your research and take your time, most fish tanks fail at startup cause people rush to throw everything together...