Saltwater aquariums can get expensive, so choosing your tank inhabitants beforehand will prevent you from wasting money on an incorrect tank or features.
Clownfish Cardinalfish Firefish Royal Grammas Swissguard Basslets
Mandarinfish, which are picky eaters Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse, which are picky eaters Groupers, which are very aggressive Damselfish, which are aggressive and territorial Mollies and guppies
If you have to go with a tall, narrow tank for space reasons, use powerful circulation tools to move water throughout the tank and encourage oxygenation.
For example, if your fish grows to be 21 inches (53 cm) in captivity and your tank is 3 by 6 feet (0. 91 by 1. 83 m) long, you’d divide 108 inches (270 cm) by 21 inches (53 cm) to get 5. 1. This tank would be big enough. As a rule of thumb for how many fish your saltwater aquarium can hold, estimate that you can have 3 inches (7. 6 cm) of fish for every square foot (0. 3 m) of surface area.
You’ll have room for more aquascaping as well, with additions like rocks and plants. Many aquarium owners who start off with a small tank will soon upgrade to a larger one, resulting in more set-up work and financial investment.
Saltwater fish are very sensitive to temperature change, so it’s important to keep your tank’s water at a constant temperature.
Don’t set up your filter just yet. You’ll install it once you’ve filled your tank. Filters can also be called powerheads.
Many aquarium lights come with built in timers to turn on and off automatically.
Splashes of saltwater are bound to hit the surrounding floor and table, so place down towels or move important items out of the way. Tank water will also evaporate a bit, driving up humidity in the surrounding area. Consider moving nearby furnishings or artwork so they’re not damaged.
Weigh your tank and tank stand and add about 8. 5 pounds (3. 9 kg) for every gallon of water that the tank holds to get the full weight of your aquarium system. Ask your landlord, look at your housing plans, or consult a structural engineer if you’re not sure that your floor can bear the weight. If necessary, you can reinforce the floor from underneath to prevent sagging and cracking.
If you don’t have enough wall outlets for your equipment, you can use a power strip.
Some features may also be attached below the tank and under the tank stand. Check the directions beforehand to see where to place yours.
Don’t use chemical cleaners on your aquarium. They can leach into your water and harm your fish.
You can buy live sand online or at your local pet store.
Make sure to read the directions before you use the saltwater. Check your tank’s volume and buy enough saltwater to fill it up completely.
Consult the directions before you start setting up your tank to make sure you don’t have to take extra steps for your brand.
Set a small bowl in the tank and pour the water directly into it, instead of onto the sand, to keep your sand in place. You may want to pour in sink water from a bucket, rather than holding your tank under the sink or filling with a hose. If you do feel a leak, dump out the sand and water and return the tank.
Read the package instructions before you use your conditioner. Buy a water conditioner at a pet store, or search for one to buy online.
For a fish-only tank, you should aim for a specific gravity level of 1. 017-1. 021. Hydrometers are small, plastic measuring devices that you can buy online or in a pet store. To use, dip the hydrometer in the tank for a water sample and take a reading from the marker. If your specific gravity is too low, add a bit more salt. If it’s too high, dump out a bit of water and replace it with filtered fresh water.
If possible, place the powerhead so that it makes a bit of turbulence on the water’s surface. This encourages the best possible gas exchange.
Add more salt mix or freshwater to adjust the specific gravity. Check the temperature as well, turning the heater up or down as needed.
Look for cured live rock online and in pet stores. The rocks also function as an ammonia source for bacteria to work on. Their porous surfaces, meanwhile, give this bacteria a great home to grow in.
Buy good test kits online or in home improvement stores. Throughout the course of the cycle, you’ll see the ammonia and nitrite levels increase and then drop down, along with an increase in nitrates.
Clean off any new features with a clean cloth and warm freshwater beforehand.
Very damaged, missing, or clamped fins Cloudy or bulging eyes Visible injuries or ulcers on the body Mucus An emaciated or bloated body Faded coloration Twitching or trembling Erratic swimming or hitting objects in the tank Rapid respiration Behavior that’s out of character for the species, like a typically shy species seeming outgoing
One of the main drawbacks of buying online is that you can’t see the fish in-person beforehand. If possible, ask to see the fish via photo or video call to judge its condition.
Acclimatizing is the process of getting your fish used to its new environment, including a new water pH and temperature. If you’ve bought a few fish, it’s best to add them one at a time, starting with the least aggressive.
Wedge the tubing between the rim and cover to keep it in place. You can buy airline tubing at home improvement stores and online. If you have a flow-control valve or clamp to fit your tubing, you can attach it to the acclimation-container end of the tubing. If you use a valve, you don’t have to tie knots in the tubing.
You can also adjust the flow by using your flow-control valve. Don’t pour extra freshwater or saltwater into the acclimation container. Pour the fish in with just its shipping water.
Depending on how big your acclimation container is, this might take an hour or more. Be patient—proper acclimation is essential to the health of your new fish.
If the acclimation container’s water parameters don’t match the aquarium’s, continue your cycle of dripping, removing water, and testing until they do.
Buy food at your pet store or at seafood markets. Make sure any non-pellet food you give your fish are from saltwater habitats, not freshwater. Watch your fish when they feed. They should eat quickly and finish every bite! If you see a fish not eating, talk to your veterinarian. Give your fish a different kind of food every few days to ensure they’re getting the right nutrients and staying satisfied. [15] X Expert Source Doug LudemannAquarium Care Professional Expert Interview. 27 August 2019.
To empty the protein skimmer, simply remove the collection cup, empty it in the sink, and rinse it clean. You can buy a protein skimmer wherever fish aquarium products are sold, in pet stores, and online. Protein skimmers can attach below the tank, on the rim, or inside the tank.
Don’t add new saltwater after evaporation. This will alter the specific gravity of your system.
Testing the specific gravity, pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and alkalinity of the water. [17] X Expert Source Doug LudemannAquarium Care Professional Expert Interview. 27 August 2019. Clean the salt off your aquarium cover, power cords, and the edges of the tank. Mix up new saltwater and change about 10% of the aquarium water. Clean the neck of your protein skimmer.
Dampen a paper towel with white vinegar to clean calcium deposits from your tank cover and light fixture cover. Take apart your protein skimmer and carefully clean all its parts. Soak your powerhead, heater, and any other submerged features in a 1:1 solution of water and white vinegar.
