Setting up Your Saltwater Tank

Having a saltwater tank in your home can add a lot of aesthetic appeal and is very relaxing to watch. While a lovely addition to your home, a saltwater tank is more difficult to set up and maintain than are freshwater tanks.

When setting up a saltwater tank, start with deciding on the tank itself. Your choices are glass or acrylic. Experienced saltwater aquarium keepers prefer acrylic for its strength and insulation capabilities. Acrylic also allows light to pass through more readily than glass. While it’s more expensive than glass, it’s a good choice if your budget will allow for it.

You’ll want to get the largest aquarium that you can afford. The more room your fish have, the healthier and happier they will be. Decide on size based on the number of fish you’d like to keep in your tank. For every inch of fish (make sure to know adult size if you’ll buy juvenile fish), you’ll want to have three to four gallons of water.

The next thing to consider is the equipment. You’ll need mechanical, chemical and biological filtration to keep your tank clear, clean and healthy for your fish. You may also need a protein skimmer if you are planning to have live rock in your tank as well. This will remove organic waste before it can break down in the water.

Substrates are another need – popular choices are crushed coral, sand and aragonite. You’ll also need an air pump, a heater and a thermometer. If you’re planning on decorations, avoid plastic ones – saltwater fish tend to eat them. You’ll have to get a saltwater test kit to evaluate levels of minerals, ammonia, nitrates and pH level. A hydrometer and a saltwater mix will also be needed to keep an eye on the salinity levels of your water.

Before adding anything to the tank, clean everything with water thoroughly. Don’t use any soaps or detergent – these can harm your fish. The next step is to place your saltwater tank on a stable surface in a well lit area – not too close to windows or tables, however, as this can affect the temperature and lighting. Install your air filter and put in your substrates, then add water.

Next, test the water for chlorine levels and salinity. You’ll want a pH balance of around 8.2 and a salinity level of around 1.022.

You can now add your decorations and any other equipment to the tank. Let the tank run for at least three days, testing the water once or twice a day before adding your fish. As you add more fish, keep checking the water.

Until you’re more experienced with saltwater tank maintenance, you should probably start out with cheaper fish – you may lose a few fish at first and it would be best if these were not expensive tropical specimens.

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