For many people thinking about setting up an aquarium, the immediate thought is to avoid saltwater tanks because they are to complicated. Saltwater or marine aquariums once setup can be as complex or as simple as you want them to be. You don't have to have a tank full of corals and delicate invertebrates to enjoy the vibrant colors found in saltwater tanks. Whether you are new to the aquarium hobby or have kept tropical fish in the past, anyone can have a saltwater tank. To be successful does not mean you just throw some water into a tank and head to the local pet store however; some preparation and thought do need to go into setting up your tank.
Without getting too complex, the basic equipment you will need in addition to a tank will include a good quality filter, a heater and lighting. Saltwater tanks will also require that you purchase a hydrometer to measure salt levels in the water. I don't want to give you the impression that this is an all-inclusive list; this is just the basics to get you up and running. Most local pet stores sell aquarium starter kits that include all the basic equipment. Some larger pet stores will even have kits setup specifically for saltwater fish.
When selecting which equipment to purchase there are a couple things to keep in mind. The most important item you purchase is not the tank or the lights it is the filter. The filter is the heart of your tank. A poor or inadequate filter will quickly lead to the demise of your tank inhabitants. There are a number or different types of filters on the market from canisters and wet-dry to the cheaper "waterfall" types that hang on the back of the tank. For a fish only tank, any of these will work. I recommend getting a filter that is sized for a tank slightly bigger than the one you are setting up. By up-sizing the filter, you are not maxing out its performance and it will easily handle the biological load of the tank provided you follow the manufacture recommended cleaning cycle.
Next let's discuss the tanks lighting. What good is it to have beautiful, vibrant saltwater fish if you can't see them? Before you go out and buy an expensive light fixture there are a couple of things to consider. Look at the location of the tank in your home and consider how much natural sun light your tank will receive during the day. A tank that receives good natural lighting through out the day may not need to be artificially lit until the evening hours. Consider next the needs of the tanks inhabitants. Most fish do not require high intensity lighting to be happy and healthy. A lighting fixture utilizing compact fluorescent tubes should be adequate. Since this article deals with a simple fish only marine tank, specialty lighting for corals and invertebrates is not needed.
Once you have setup your tank and filled it with water, it's time to add the salt. Your local pet store will most likely carry a couple of different brands of salt mix for your tank. Most commercially available mixes contain the same components and will work just fine. Slowly add the salt to your tank until the reading on your hydrometer shows a specific gravity in the range of 1.020 to 1.023. You can typically begin to add fish in a couple of days but it is a good practice to allow the tank to "cycle" for the next two weeks prior to adding fish. Before adding any fish it is a good idea to recheck the specific gravity of the water and make sure your water temperature is comfortable for the fish your planning to add. When adding fish to a new tank it is a good practice to start with heartier fish species like Damsels. Damsels are cheaper and can adapt to harsher water conditions typical in a new tank. After a couple of weeks, you can begin to add more fish.
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