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Saltwater AquariumOur best advice about keeping saltwater fish is to read, read, and read some more. There is always one more thing to learn regarding saltwater aquariums and fish. Keeping a saltwater aquarium is different from its freshwater counterpart because of the fundamental differences in the constitution of saltwater and the resulting differences in the adaptation of its inhabitants. The basic varieties of saltwater aquariums are fish only (FO), fish only with live rock (FOWLR, arguably the most popular) and the reef tank, containing corals, sea anemones, or other delicate invertebrates. The advancement of fluorescent lighting technologies into higher outputs along with metal halide lighting established the reef tank, making it a possible to keep corals and invertebrates in saltwater aquariums without natural sunlight. The novice saltwater aquarium hobbyist is advised to weigh the risks of the mixed collection against the obvious benefits and to make plans accordingly. A heavily stocked saltwater aquarium often will need strong biological filtration that can be provided by live rock and bioballs or other bio filtration media. Live rock usually arrives from online dealers as "uncured", and must be quarantined in a separate tank while undergoing the curing process, which involves the inevitable die-off of some of the rock's inhabitants and the subsequent production of undesirable ammonia and nitrites. Without other methods of nutrient control (such as large water changes, vigorous macroalgae growth and harvest, denitrification filters, fluidized bed filters, wet/dry filters, etc.), a heavily stocked tank with corals and other delicate animals may need a protein skimmer to survive. An important thing to remember when considering method of filtration for a saltwater aquarium is planned stocking levels. Wet/dry trickle filters have been a popular choice in biological filtration for a very long time in the saltwater hobby. Common hang-on filters usually only offer chemical and mechanical filtration through mesh and carbon , which is not enough for the saltwater aquarium, although some hang-on filters have plates where bacteria can colonize and provide biological filtration as well. Contrary to some opinions, undergravel filters are not essential in saltwater aquariums. Before you start your saltwater aquarium find a good store near you. For the beginner, a good stores advice regarding saltwater aquariums can be invaluable. Books, online sites and forums are also valuable when making decisions about tanks or fish. Whether choosing a fish-only tank or a reef system, without knowing about a particular animal's ability to reside peacefully or not with other tank inhabitants can quickly lead to disaster. You can place the fish directly into the main saltwater aquarium and hope for the best, you can give the fish a freshwater dip and then place it into the saltwater aquarium, or you could place the fish into a quarantine tank. Freshwater dips and quarantine tanks can reduce the chances of newly acquired specimens introducing disease to an established saltwater aquarium. If you don't use a quarantine tank, then it is a very good idea to give the fish a freshwater bath before placing it into your main saltwater aquarium. To give a marine fish a freshwater dip, prepare a container of dechlorinated freshwater with a similar chemistry of the destination tank. Moreover, you should never add an invertebrate to a diseased tank or a tank which does not have stable water quality parameters (e.g., pH, temperature, etc.). The best beginner fish for a saltwater aquarium are damsels. If you want to keep shy or delicate fish, you should take the damsels back to the pet store once you and your tank are ready for more fish. Other saltwater fish which can be attempted once you get good at controlling the fish's environment are hawkfishes, grammas, dottybacks, basslets, and wrasses. Nano saltwater aquariums are usually between 2.5 and 30 US gallons (10 and 120 L). Many of the most popular saltwater sizes are in the 30 to 55 gallon range. However, large tanks, while easier to maintain on the biological and chemical level, are usually a financial impossibility for most individuals. Assuming the household budget is a factor, it is better to set up a medium-sized saltwater aquarium with good equipment than to attempt a larger tank with inadequate equipment. Stumble It! • Submit To Netscape • del.icio.us • Y! MyWeb |
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