Start a Saltwater Aquarium

Starting a saltwater aquarium is a process with many steps. It can, ultimately be fulfilling, and a beautiful addition to your home. Making sure to stabilize the ecosystem for these delicate fish is an undertaking that needs the proper study and research, not only for the well-being of the fish, but because some exotic saltwater fish can be very expensive.

For the beginner, it is suggested to start with a larger tank. A larger tank equals a more chemically stable environment for the fish. A 55-gallon tank is recommended for beginners. Once the larger tank is populated and maintained, it will be easier for the novice to then set up smaller freshwater aquariums throughout the home.

The choice of tank is usually between glass and acrylic. There are pros and cons to both, depending on your lifestyle and preferences. Glass is less costly, but is also more likely to break. Glass is also going to remain clearer over the years than acrylic. Acrylic, on the other hand, insulates better so the tank may require a smaller heater than a glass tank will. Also, acrylic scratches much more easily.

Starting a saltwater aquarium in your home will prove to be a lovely addition for everyone; even the other pets will enjoy it! So the next step is to decide where inside the home it should be located. To settle on the ideal location consider the following:

-Amount of sunlight: The aquarium should not be subjected to large amounts of sunshine throughout the day. This will cause increased algae growth and will be harmful to the fish.

-Traffic: Although you want people to be able to see and enjoy the aquarium, you don't want people running into it constantly. The aquarium should be located in a somewhat neutral, out of the way location.

-Temperature fluctuations: Placing the aquarium near a door, a heat vent or a window might pose problems because exotic fish need a constant aquatic temperature.

Its a good idea to decide permanently on a location before adding any water, decorations or fish to the tank. Once the tank is full, it might be virtually impossible to move. This is also a good time to check and see if the equipment necessary to run the tank (any hoses, stands, etc) fit well within this space (and behind the aquarium).

Never use any harsh cleaners before filling the tank. Sure, its a good idea to clean it, but be gentle with the solvents as your new fish will need to live in the environment and it might be impossible to scour every bit of cleaner away. Always rinse thoroughly after cleaning.

Starting a saltwater aquarium requires deciding what type of environment you would like to create. Do you want just fish swimming around? Or would you rather have fish and live rocks together? You might even be thinking large and feel confident in going for the full reef system. Beginners are suggested to start with simply the fish or fish and live rock. Reef systems can be obtained as confidence with maintaining the aquarium grows.

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