How to Build a Saltwater Aquarium

Build freshwater or saltwater aquarium? That's the question. Here are the differences between saltwater and freshwater

Fish
Freshwater: Fish and plant come from lake, river, or stream.
Saltwater: Fish and plant come from marine/ocean

Price
Generally saltwater aquarium more expensive than freshwater. But this price depend on the ecosystem inside the tank. Fish only saltwater tank maybe cheaper than freshwater aquarium.

Difficulty
Generally maintaining saltwater aquarium more difficult than freshwater tank. In saltwater tank the water condition, air conditions should be check regularly.

Overall
Build and keeping saltwater tank is difficult and expensive. If you are beginner it is better you build freshwater aquarium first.

There are some type of saltwater aquarium, fish only tank, fish only with live rock, or reef tank.

Fish Only
This aquarium is dedicated to keep fish only without any coral, plant or live rock. Some invertebrates may kept inside mainly for helping keep the tank clean.

Fish Only with Live Rock
In this tank, beside fish there is live rock inside. Live rock is good for air circulation. If you are beginner it is recommended to build this type of saltwater tank.

Reef Tank
Reef tank contains fishes, live rocks, plants, invertebrates, anemones, and other marine life. It contains a huge variety of species and need more effort to build.

Choosing your equipment correctly is very important. Care must be taken to be sure you have everything that's needed. You may have had a freshwater aquarium before, but a saltwater aquarium is a little different. A little research before starting out will save you a lot of time in the long run. You want your saltwater fish to thrive in the aquarium, and not meet a untimely demise because you didn't do your research. So take the time to learn as much as you can before you start to build saltwater aquarium.

Saltwater Aquarium Equipment Checklist
* Aquarium/Tank
* Fish
* Live Rock
* Lighting
* Filter/Filtration Related Equipment
* Powerhead
* Sea Salt/Sea Rock
* Heater/Thermometer/Thermo Related Equipment
* Air Pump/Air Related Equipment
* Test Kits
* Fish Food/Substrate/Supplement
* Maintenance Tools

Decide on the size of the aquarium you'd like, and the space where you'd like to put your aquarium. Make sure there's plenty of room for your aquarium in the space you decide on, along with plenty of outlets for the various cords you will need. Decide what kind of fish you'll want to purchase. Make sure the fish you get are for salt water, and not freshwater, there is a difference. Freshwater fish don't do so well in saltwater.

Saltwater Tank
* minimum size: 50 Gallons
* need to be cleaned regularly
* keep away from children or pet

Saltwater Fish
Recommended:
- Damsels
- Clownfish
- Dwarf Angels

Not recommended:
- Venomous species
- Butterflyfish
- Moorish Idol

All aquariums require about the same amount of maintenance. Most tanks are either glass or acrylic, acrylic being more suitable for saltwater aquariums, although scratches tend to show up more on acrylic. Buffing will usually take the scratches out. Aquariums come in a variety of shapes, round aquariums are also available. Choose the shape that will fit in your space comfortably.

When you set up build saltwater aquarium consider the lighting, filters, water circulationand protien skimmers. purchasing standard lighting is sufficient. Filters helps to keep the water clean, and makes cleaning the tank easier. When purchasing the filter, make sure you have enough hose, the standard hose is usually not enough, and you may have to purchase more. Your filter will circulate the water. Protein skimmers will keep your water nice and clear.

Thermometer, heater, algae cleaner, salt, chemicals, and hydrometer are other supplies you will need to set up build saltwater aquarium. Thermometers and heaters are used in most aquariums to check water temperatures and heat the water. Algae cleaner will clean the tank, adding salt is what is needed for a salt water aquarium. The hydrometer measures the water gravity, and lets you know if there's enough salt in the water. Ph kit and marine test kits measures the amount of nitrates and amonia in the water. This needs to be checked daily.

Fill your tank, check pH levels, check water temperatures, cloudy water will clear, cycle the aquarium, this takes six weeks, don't add your fish for six weeks. Get excited and build saltwater aquarium.

Not related with aquarium.

How Google Translate Works

Gazebo Canopies, Graphing Calculator, Bass Guitar Reviews, Recording Devices, Quick Translator