I had fresh and salt tanks as a kid, an 80 gallon reef in the 90s, and I just sold a 30 gallon reef I had running for 5 years (that was a great tank).
Lots of modern tech and possibilities these days, for fresh and salt.
My experience is mostly in salt, but if I were ever to do a tank again, I’d do what’s called a “high tech planted”. Uses pressurized CO2, lighting and fertilizer.
Some great examples.
https://twistedsifter.com/2011/05/top-25-freshwater-aquariums-in-the-world/