Aquarium Care

Saltwater plants and animals have become popular choices for fishkeepers. Through the advancement of research in chemistry, biology, and even lighting technology, it is now possible to stage your own sea with the use of marine fish tanks and capture the splendor of the underwater world.

Marine fish tanks are also known as a saltwater fish aquarium. Unlike the typical freshwater aquarium, they are more costly as far as setting up and maintenance is concerned. In addition, the creatures housed in a saltwater aquarium are often more precious because they are more difficult to acquire. It can be said that marine fish tanks are worthy investments because they can add beauty to any home. Marine fishkeeping can be a gratifying experience as well.

The makings of marine fish tanks

Marine fish tanks are also known as a saltwater fish aquarium. They house saltwater plants and animals. Marine fishkeeping is very different from freshwater fishkeeping in that marine fish tanks require more equipment and maintenance is a lot more difficult. Take note also that saltwater creatures are quite difficult to acquire and are more expensive than their freshwater counterparts. Therefore, your primary consideration when setting up marine fish tanks is the cost. Your investment, however, is worth your while because a saltwater aquarium is usually more stunning than a freshwater aquarium. The pleasure you derive from marine fishkeeping is simply priceless.

Setting up marine fish tanks

Some helpful tips in setting up your very own saltwater fish aquarium It is not easy to set up marine fish tanks. Prior to making your purchase, you need to read a lot about it and familiarize yourself with the necessary equipment and proper procedures.

Be patient. The entire setup–from cleaning the aquarium to installing the equipment, ensuring you hit the correct water parameters, curing the live rock, and gradually adding saltwater fish–cannot be done overnight. Once you are done with the physical setup, you cannot just add saltwater fish immediately. You need to let the tank settle first. Moreover, adding saltwater fish should not be done all at once. Do it one or two at a time, and let them adapt to the new environment first.

Live rock is also a unique and important component of a marine fish tank. This kind of rock has been in the ocean and is composed of limestone and decomposing coral skeleton. Not just an aesthetic add-on to your marine aquarium, live rock also ensures a healthy aquarium as it provides a buffer to maintain desirable pH, alkalinity, and acid neutralizing capacity. You might need to cure your live rock; the process can last from a week to two months.

Once you’ve set up all the equipment, allow the tank to settle first before adding your fish. Of course, it does not end here. You need to perform regular aquarium maintenance such as cleaning and monitoring water salinity. Ideally, you should clean and change the water at least once a month.

Amber Shipplin is a pet shop owner and an aquarium enthusiast who likes to help others succeed in raising their fish as well. He is a featured member and guest speaker at many aquarium clubs, as well as having a few very large tanks of his own. To learn more about marine fish tanks and Nano Cube aquariums, please go to marinedepot.com.

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Lighting is always a requirement for aquariums. Not only does it highlight the fish and the dcor but it also serves the ecosystem in the tank, particularly if you have decided to add fresh plants to your tank.

When buying an aquarium, getting a full tank setup means getting all the necessary equipment, and that includes the lighting. However, if you prefer to have a more customized setup, purchase separate lighting instead. The light you have to get will depend on the size of the tank and your selection of fish and plants.

The power of the aquarium lighting should be around 2 to 3 watts for every gallon of water in the tank. Keep in mind, however, that the lighting requirements for the aquarium with live plants would be more than that of the same aquarium with artificial plants. Be careful though, because more light is not always good for all fish. Some fish thrive in a brightly lit habitat, while some are bothered by too much light and end up being stressed. Furthermore, an environment with too much light causes algae to grow much faster.

For your lighting needs, you can choose between using fluorescent or incandescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs are inexpensive, and therefore good for smaller aquariums, but their yellowish glow is not quite the same as natural light. They also generate heat so it would be a good idea to keep a thermometer handy, and monitor the water temperature regularly.

If you have live plants, you’ll need an aquarium fluorescent light. Available in the form of tubes or compact fluorescent bulbs, their light is much brighter and does not give off any heat. The fluorescent light can be used by your live plants. If your tank is very heavily planted, you may need more than 3 watts per gallon. A compact fluorescent bulb will fit into any fixture designed for incandescent bulbs, while fluorescent light tubes need to be purchased at the correct length for your aquarium hood.

Although ordinary household fluorescent lights can be used, full spectrum fluorescent light is best, especially for bright-colored fish and plants. Full spectrum lights are composed of all the important wavelengths of light with each part of the light spectrum having different effects on the aquarium. The bright colors of tropical fish are brought out by the purple end of the spectrum while the blue parts promote the growth of algae. Aquatic plants generally will thrive on the orange to red parts of the spectrum.

Although a lot of fish are nocturnal, it is still important for the main aquarium light to be turned off at night to imitate the natural order they are used to. The use of submersible LED lights will allow you to watch your fish when the main aquarium lights are off. You can use different colors to highlight the dcor or the fish. To watch the fish without disturbing their daily routines, use small red or blue LED lights.

Replacing your aquarium light bulbs is an inevitable part of aquarium maintenance. Regardless of whether the light is still working, replace the bulb every year, because they grow dimmer over time.

The well-being of the fish and plants as well as the appearance of your aquarium depend on how well you have chosen your lighting. It is therefore important to make the selection with great care.

Leonard Boyler has been keeping fish for more than 20 years. His favorite products make aquarium care and maintenance so easy from start up to clarifying cloudy aquariums. To find out more about how to have clear water and healthy fish please visit ONEdersave.com.

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