saltwater or fresh

Question
After keeping freshwater fish for many years, I have purchased a 55-gallon
aquarium and am considering fresh or saltwater use. I have no experience
with saltwater, but the impression I get is, it's more expensive to set up and
maintain and requires much more maintenance and attention to detail. I am
not intersted in purchasing large amounts of expensive hi-tech equipment
like protein skimmers and spcial filtration equipment. I don't mind doing the
work to keep things running, but I am not interested in completely blowing
my bank account for special equipment, not to mention the fish. Is it feasable
to sustain a salt-water tank with normal freshwater filtration equipment (i.e
Whisper filters) and other equipment usually designed for freshwater use?

Answer
Hi Robert,
   While some who are already set up and used to saltwater demands and processes might tell you it is not so much different than freshwater once you get started, I have had both and I say it is far more demanding of time and accuracy of water conditions. Don't get me wrong, I love my saltwater aquarium and would not trade it for fresh, because of the variety and beauty of lifeforms. I can literally stare at it for hours. Creatures in their hiding places, in and around the live rock and even under the sand bottom. Starfish, anenomes, crabs, and the fish - as though God painted them with his own hand. Incredible! Is it worth it - you bet it is. The oceans hold so much more variety than the lakes. Go to about.com and click on hobbies and games, then on next page, lower left, find saltwater aquariums, you will be at the site of stan and debbie hauter. Read the articles on setting up a salt aquarium. Only you will know if it is worth it for you. Good luck and most of all, take good care of your animals. all the best, gerry.