Saltwater aquariums are certainly more difficult to maintain than fresh water aquariums. The ecology of saltwater aquariums is different and needs careful as well as knowledgeable handling.
Saltwater aquariums can house a wide range of fishes and mammals in comparison to fresh water aquariums. In a salt water aquarium it is possible for you to keep some of the flamboyantly colored reef fishes. A saltwater aquarium can also house live coral, anemones, crustaceans or jellyfish. Some advanced aquarists even keep octopuses and squids. This variety of sea life gives the aquarium an exotic feel. Perhaps this is the reason why saltwater aquariums are so popular.
Starting a Saltwater Aquarium
Before starting a saltwater aquarium it would be a good idea if you researched the ecosystem of saltwater fishes, their habitat, food, water temperature etc. A saltwater aquarium can be highly gratifying and the extra time used to research the exact requirements for a saltwater tank is worth its weight in gold.
To start a saltwater aquarium you will require a Fish tank, Filtration System, Substrates, Heater or Thermometer, power head, protein skimmer, water pump, and air pump.
The Basic Types
There are three basic forms of saltwater aquariums: Fish Only, Fish with Live Rock and Reef System.
Fish only - This is a good choice for beginners. This type of tank is for keeping fish only as the name suggests and is the least expensive type.
Fish with Live Rock- This is basically the same as fish only, but has live rocks. It is called "live rock" because of the creatures and organisms living on the inside and on the surface of the rock. Buying good rock, can be expensive though.
Reef System- Reef tanks are usually set up by very experienced hobbyists because these tanks require excellent water conditions, extremely high lighting levels, water supplements, reverse osmosis and deionized water, and excellent filtration. In short it costs the earth and then some.
Saltwater Aquarium Do's & Don't's
You should ideally choose an aquarium that is 55 gallons (200 liters) or larger. It will be harder to maintain suitable water quality and balance in a smaller tank.
After deciding on size you must decide on the material of the aquarium. There are 2 choices glass and acrylic. Both these materials are commonly used for saltwater aquariums and have their pros and cons.
Location is a very important aspect of saltwater aquariums. Too much sunlight causes algae problems and too little is equally harmful. The temperature should be as constant as possible.
Never place anything in the aquarium that is not saltwater proof. Make sure that decorations are saltwater proof or they may poison your aquarium.
Filtration is an important part of any aquarium, salt or otherwise. There are three basic types of filterations- mechanical filtration, chemical filtration and biological filtration.
Cleaning your aquarium with detergent or soap will pollute the water and destroy the fragile ecosystem of your saltwater aquarium. It's best if you use bleach instead. Add one capful of pure bleach to 10 gallons of water and wipe the aquarium with, clean carefully with fresh water afterwards.
You should never use ordinary salt in your aquarium. Its best to buy aquarium salt from a fish store and mix it with water according to instruction.
A hydrometer is very crucial for the saltwater aquarium. It is of utmost importance for you to maintain a balance between the salt and water levels. Water keeps evaporating, whereas the salt level remains the same. Evaporated water should never be replaced by salt water. A hydrometer will make it possible for you to check the exact salinity of the water.
Popular Saltwater Fishes
Clown fish, Angelfish, Blue lined triggerfish, Comical blenny, Flame fish and Damsels are a few examples of popular saltwater fishes that can be kept in aquariums.
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