Saltwater Aquarium setup: Choosing the right tank

There are some factors involved when choosing the type of saltwater aquarium setup. Some major factors include what type of species do you want to stock, how much space do you have available, what is your spending power? A tank that fits your lifestyle and environment is the first goal when setting up your saltwater aquarium.

The first priority is to the comfort of your saltwater fish and any other species as they grow in your aquarium. The invertebrates and fish which will be in your tank require room to swim and grow but also need an environment where there is plenty of oxygen in order to survive. This is determined from the size of your tank. You can give your fish a great chance with the right saltwater aquarium setup.

Oxygen is an important part of your saltwater aquarium setup. The surface area of your tank is the major contributing factor to the amount of oxygen it holds. The surface area on top of the tank which is exposed to the atmosphere above is what we are talking about. As oxygen transfers to your saltwater aquarium from the surface of the tank the greater that area is means there is more chance of oxygen transferring from the air into the water.

The surface area of your saltwater aquarium is not only for the intake of oxygen but also to let harmful substances like carbon dioxide t leave. The aquarium will be much healthier the more this process is allowed to develop. Another factor which determines the amount of oxygen in the water is temperature. In general the lower the temperature the more oxygen it will hold.

With warmer water tropical fish with temperatures above 75 degrees less oxygen is available. This is why it is most important to have a larger surface area for your saltwater aquarium or else you may have to stock smaller or less marine animals. The bigger the tank you can acquire makes it much better for your marine life.

Saltwater aquariums come in all shapes and sizes so how can you determine your requirements? It is not the size or volume of the tank which determines its surface area but the shape. A tank could have a much larger volume but less surface area than a smaller tank because of its shape. For the gas cycle tall narrow aquariums do mot have the ideal area. A shorter wider tank will have a better exchange of gas.

With this in mind and your aquarium tank chosen, its time to move on to the inhabitants. Like we mentioned depending on the size of the tank will determine the amount of inhabitants you can keep in comfort. One of the worst problems with a saltwater aquarium setup for beginners is overcrowding the tank. Too many inhabitants in your aquarium can overload and effect filtrating efficiency. One of the major causes of fish death and disease is cramped conditions that stress the fish.

Do not rush and stock up you fish slowly. Introduce only a small amount at a time. Calculate what amount of water your aquarium holds in gallons. In the beginning and up to six months for every four gallon of water introduce one inch of fish. A sixty gallon saltwater aquarium setup would therefore have 15 fish. More fish can be added after six months at an increase of two gallons for every inch of fish.

An example of a 60 gallon aquarium would be:-

Two 1-inch clownfish
One 1-inch Beau Gregory’s
Two 3-inch queen angel
Two 1- inch gobies
Two 1-inch blennies
One 2-inch Tang (surgeonfish)

Or any variables of these with your own favourite choices. Then you can increase your fish to 30 after the six month period.

As with any creature when you get them young they will grow so be aware of this when buying new fish and adjust the amount in your tank to suit. Not only fish size but shape is also an Issue. Less fish is needed in an aquarium with heavier stock.

{The development of your saltwater aquarium takes time}. They are not cheap to buy and maintain so do not cut corners. Problems will occur even when you have spent lots of time developing your tank. with a bit of thought getting the right aquarium from the start is better than having to change it because you choose wrongly. Think before you buy, a small tank at the beginning is probably not the best idea. Wait until you can afford at least a 30 gallon tank or bigger before investing in your saltwater aquarium.

The choices of saltwater aquariums are vast starting with do you get a glass or acrylic tank? Will it be a ready made reef tank already suitable for all your filtration and other equipment? It’s up to you to get advice and choose correctly. One good starting point is silicon sealed glass tanks. The range is vast from unusual hexagonal and octagonal shapes to the more conventional rectangular types. Although more prone to scratching acrylic tanks are becoming more popular than the glass variety.

Acrylic tanks are much lighter than there glass equivalent. Glass aquariums are heavier and difficult to manoeuvre if moving. These tanks have quite thick glass. However a glass tank with a plastic frame is quite stable. Tempered glass is stronger but plated glass is shatter proof.

The popular option is an acrylic saltwater aquarium setup with moulded seems which are more transparent. Your view in the corners may be distorted which is a small problem. Because of the material acrylic tanks can have even more shapes and outdo the glass variety with many more models. The downsides are they cost more and scratch easily. The things to watch for to avoid scratches is be careful with decorations and when removing algae. The good news is that scratches can be removed using special kits.

Whichever type of aquarium you purchase the priority is the health of your fish. It needs to be kept in good order and cash is needed to maintain it properly. One up and running you will have hours of relaxation watching your new fishy pals cavorting in the water. You will obtain much pleasure and enjoyment out of your saltwater aquarium

When setting up a home aquarium, it is important that you properly set up the aquarium air pump. Without the aquarium air pump, the fish will not be able to breath and most would eventually die. Here are some of the essential things you should know about setting up an aquarium air pump.

The Need For An Aquarium Air Pump

Almost all aquariums will need an aquarium air pump. In most cases, the air pump pumps air through the tubes, into the water and through the filter. They provide the needed oxygen that most tropical, saltwater and freshwater fish need for survival. There are different types of air pumps. The type of aquarium you have and the number of fish you have in your tank will determine what type of aquarium air pump you should buy.

Air Stones And Bubble Wands

One of the easiest and most common aquarium air pumps are air stones and the bubble wands. These are ideal for lesser aquariums and tanks. With this system, one end is attached to tubing and air circulates through the tubing and into the water through the stone. This type of air pump circulates air while creating bubbles in the water.

Under Gravel Aquarium Air Pumps

The under gravel aquarium air pumps are those systems that are place under the gravel in the bottom of the tank. The air is pumped through tube and then up through the underwater gravel. This type air pump is greater suited for larger aquariums or tanks. The under gravel air pump is nice because it is easy to stow inside of the aquarium and it gives it a more natural look.

How To Use An Aquarium Air Pump

The use of an aquarium air pump is really easy. You purely follow the instructions that come with your air pump. Basically, you take out the air pump from the box, put it into the aquarium and start it. If the air pump attached to a filter, then you have to clean it repeatedly, because it gets very dirty. Make sure you read the directions densely when you have a new air pump. That is most excellent way to learn to use it properly. If you have any product specific questions, most air pumps have a toll free number on their box that you can call, or you can merely ask your questions to the local pet store employee.

Varieties of Angelfish

One of the most desirable aquarium fish species is the dwarf Angelfish. Because of its tiny size, the dwarf Angelfish is perfect for a small home aquarium. The Coral cuteness Angelfish has a red body with bluish-black and orange fins. It will grow to a maximum size of four inches, and is easy to care for. The Eibli Angelfish grows to a length of six inches. It has a tan body with vertical brown stripes and very distinctive black blotches that cover the entirety of the back of the fish. The Flame Angelfish can safely live in a reef tank. This dwarf aquarium Angelfish species is six inches long and has an orange-red body with black strips running from top to bottom. 

The Orange-black Angelfish is an alternative popular aquarium fish species. This three-inch long, dark blue fish has a golden blaze that runs from the face down the dorsal fin.  The half-black Angelfish is a difficult aquarium fish species to care for. This fish comes in colors of grayscale, except for its eye, which has a vibrant orange accent.

Herald’s Angelfish is four inches long and is a buttery lemon yellow, with a brown-colored accent at the eye. The Lemonpeel Angelfish is another difficult fish to raise and care for. Like Herald’s Angelfish, the Lemonpeel Angelfish is bright yellow with a dark semicircle near the eye.

Barred Angelfish is only four inches long, with black and white vertical strips extending from head to tail. The Barred Angelfish is also difficult to care for. Potter’s Angelfish is yet an alternative difficult aquarium fish species to own. It is a polished fish, with a blue body and rosy fins.

The Pygmy, or Cherub, Angelfish is vaguely easier to keep. This blue-bodied fish has an orange yellow head and grows to a length of three inches. And the Rusty Angelfish lives easily among coral reefs. Four inches long, it has a tan body with dark spots and red near the rear.

Omnivorous Fish Species

All dwarf Angelfish are omnivores, eating both animals and vegetables. Macro-algae are their vegetable matter of selection. Other than the Flame Angelfish, Dwarf Angelfish are not considered safe around reefs. Add them at your own risk if you have a reef tank. However, if you have an mundane aquarium fish tank, Dwarf Angelfish will thrive in their environment and provide you with many enjoyable hours of fish watching.

The Epaulette Shark

The Eqaulette shark is one of the more ideal small sharks for a small aquarium as they like to live in small confined areas. They are usually white with brown spots all over their body. Unlike most sharks they do not swim around the tank but prefer to swim on the tank floor all day looking for food. At times they look like eels with their slender bodies, their bodies allow them to slip around the rocks and other aquarium decorations.

Although they are not the smallest of the aquarium sharks, they are also not the largest. Eqaulette sharks can grow quite large, an adult can grow up to eleven inches long. So when selecting one ensure that your tank is large enough for them to move around when they grow.

The Epaulette shark eats mainly on small crabs and worms. They may even eat shrimp and other small fishes. They have very small teeth, so larger pieces of food should be avoided. They can bite and chew, but their teeth are not designed to cut the food. So, keep their food pieces small at all times.

The Red Tail Shark

One of the most popular small aquarium sharks is the red tail shark. This small shark is semi-aggressive fish its unique beauty is a definite plus in any aquarium. They have a solid black body with red tip tail which is easy to identify. These sharks are not very social so it is recommended that you only keep one per tank.

Red tails love hiding as it provides them with a sense of safely and security, so provide them with nice little hiding places. As they are an aggressive fish and will pick on other fish you need a tank that is large enough to accommodate all the fish

Like the Eqaulette Shark Red tails like to search the bottom of the tank for food. They will eat most fish flakes, live food or other food that ends up at the bottom of the tank. They like to eat at least once per day.

There is a large variety of sharks at the pet shop to choose from but two of the most popular are the Epaulette shark and the Red Tail shark for small aquariums. Do some research if looking to buy one for your own tank as they are not like other fish, they do require specialized attention. Even so they are a wonderful addition to any aquarium.

Deep under the ground, where the interior lights grow dim, you will start to notice a spectacular, enormous aquarium. Thousands of vivid fish draw the eye. And if you look very daintily on the floor of the aquarium, or perhaps climbing on one of the rocks or walls, you will see the aquarium snails, working their way through the environment, cleaning up dead plants and animals as they go.

Spot The Snail

Playing spot the snail is a fun game whenever you visit a home or mall where there is an aquarium, like at Caesar’s Palace. Snails like to stow, so they again and again place themselves in the shadows or behind rocks. Their shells provide camouflage, making them even harder to spot than ever.

The head of the snail is easy to spot because of its two eyebrow-like tentacles. The tentacles can extend and retreat, and the eyes are located at the base of each one. Snails have tongues that they use to eat the dead matter that forms the basis of their diet.

Gilled Aquarium Snails Prosobranchs

The softhearted of snail most prevalently found in an aquarium is a gilled snail. These snails reproduce widely, and they’ll temporarily populate an empty aquarium. Snails with gills are hermaphroditic, which makes it easy for them to reproduce. Some species of aquarium snail change sex to reproduce; others fertilize their own eggs, and other cross-fertilize. Gelatin masses filled with eggs lie under submerged rocks and plants until they hatch.

Red ramshorn aquarium snails are also generally found. Red shells are the most highly desired. Brown ones are not rare at all.

Population Control

Overpopulation of aquarium snails can be a problem. Snails are good when they are keeping the aquarium gravel clean, but they can before long overpopulate and become a problem in the aquarium.

The easiest way to keep the tank free of unwanted aquarium snails is to use Botias, also known as loaches. These fish will feast on the gilled snails, and your overpopulation problem will shortly be over. If you have other fish, don’t give in to the temptation use water dogs to clear out snails. The water dogs will eat the fish in no time.

A Plant For Every Need

Live plants help to ensure the proper balance of water, chemicals and elements in any aquarium tank. A properly chosen, planted and cared for variety of plants beautifies the aquarium, increases the health of the fish and even gives joy to the owner. Selecting aquarium plants and arranging them can be as enjoyable as purchasing new fish. Plants come in a variety of shapes, textures and sizes, and while there are limits based on the size of the tank and the pre-existing plants, most owners can deeply experiment with aquarium plants and discover the perfect arrangement.

But in the end, aquarium plants exist foremost for the fish not the owners. Happy fish are fish that feel at home, and in an aquarium only plants are going to give the appearance of nature. Plants help the aquarium mimic the ocean floor and they help filter light and filter water, giving fish places to stash and helping them to believe they are swimming through the various ocean levels. Aquarium plants also provide natural filtration, as they eliminate the need for many fish care products and external chemicals, as well as pH adjustments and ammonia absorption resins.

Oxygenators specifically are some of the most important aquarium plants. Growing absolutely under water, these plants release oxygen fixedly into the water. They also offer numerous other benefits such as helping to balance the chemistry of the water by softening it, and help to maintain proper pH balance, a required cooperation for the survival of fish. Elodea is one of the most desirable oxygenating aquarium plants. Dark green leaves, arranged around a narrow stem, help to indicate the quality of the water in the tank. The leaves will become covered in calcium deposits if the water is too hard.

Choosing Driftwood

Aquarium driftwood is not for all tanks. Aquarium driftwood is mainly for freshwater tanks. Some types of freshwater fish even like to have a snack on aquarium driftwood once in awhile. Aquarium driftwood is not for saltwater tanks or for reptiles. If you try to use it in a reptile tank, it could harm your pet.

You can easily find aquarium driftwood at your local pet store. As long as they sell aquarium supplies, they will usually sell aquarium driftwood. The next thing you will have to think about is the shape of aquarium driftwood that you want to purchase. Driftwood comes in all shapes and sizes. What you need to consider when choosing driftwood is the size of the tank and the size of your fish. If you have smaller fish, you can purchase a piece of driftwood with holes in it so they can swim through or stow if they feel like it. You can also get aquarium driftwood without holes for larger fish to swim around.

Other shapes that driftwood can come in are as skinny as branches to as thick as tiny logs. It all depends on how you want to decorate your tank. Make sure that if you choose a big piece that you will limit other plants and decorations. Overcrowding a tank with a lot of decorations will not make for joyful fish. Make sure you fish will have enough room to swim, stow and be happy.

Warning

If you want to get aquarium driftwood, make sure you purchase it from a store that sells if specifically for fish tanks and aquariums. These pieces are treated with chemicals that will make it withstand your tank. Do not ever use real driftwood that you find outdoors for your fish tank. This kind of driftwood will rot in your tank and could be harmful for your fish.

If you think that your tank will benefit from a great piece of aquarium driftwood, check out your local pet dealer to find great pieces of the driftwood that aren’t only functional, but beautiful as well.

The Difference Is Noticeable

There are many varied types of aquariums on the market. However, the acrylic aquarium is one of the most excellent because it is the clearest, lightest and strongest aquariums available. The acrylic aquariums have nicely rounded corners and they don’t have silicone holding them together like a regular fish aquarium does. You and your guest will have a greater view of your underwater beauties with an acrylic aquarium.

Acrylic Aquariums Are Ideal For Saltwater Fish

If you are considering a saltwater aquarium, then you should definitely consider an acrylic aquarium. Saltwater fish and their accessories are very colorful and bright. So you will want to display their vivid cuteness. Their colors will stand out more in an acrylic aquarium because the view is much clearer than glass tanks. These aquariums are also stronger and will stand up to the wear and tear of the saltwater. Therefore, if you’re considering a saltwater aquarium, then an acrylic aquarium is a necessity.

Versatility And Shape

Most regular fish tanks only come in typical square forms. This is because their corners are bound by silicone and it is very hard to shape glass. However, acrylic aquariums can come in all shapes and size. This makes them very versatile in any home. Acrylic is very compliant and can be formed into any shape or size. Therefore, if you require a very unique fish aquarium, then you should consider an acrylic aquarium.

Strength And Insulation

Acrylic aquariums are greatest known for their strength and insulation. A glass fish tank is made with silicone in its corners. However, the acrylic tank is a molecular weld and this will make for a better insulation. They are very strong and are less likely to break or leak water. They are at smallest amount of ten times stronger than a regular fish tank. Therefore, if you’re looking for a strong fish aquarium, then acrylic is the best option.

Mainly For Salt Water Wet Pets

Aquarium overflow boxes are used mostly by professional aquariums and hard-core aquarium hobbyists as insurance for their expensive and vital equipment.  If the power goes out, then water can back up to short circuit the air pump or the filtration unit.  Some people make their own aquarium overflow boxes but there are also ready made ones.

Power outages can also lead to your tank suddenly overflowing.  If your tank is not on the ground floor level of your home and it is more than ten gallons, then you should really consider some kind of aquarium overflow box.  A filled tank with gravel or sand and ornaments weights hundreds of pounds.

How To Tell If You Really Need One

Most salt water tanks will have some kind of sump pump that are far stronger than for a freshwater tank.  When it’s on, the water is kept level because it’s moving around all of the time.  But when the power goes out, the water has nowhere to go except into the tank and onto your floor unless you have an aquarium overflow box.

Get a lot of old towels and newspapers around the floor of your tank, because things might get wet.  Get a bucket and a coffee can to bail if need be.  If you can, arrange for a friend to turn the power on and off while you’re there at the tank.  Turn off the power.  If the water level suddenly rises more than one inch — or if you have a suddenly saturated floor — then you know you need an aquarium overflow box.

Going Shopping

Aquarium overflow boxes are available at many pet stores and aquarium specialty stores and their online equivalents.  There are ones specially made for big freshwater aquariums, so be sure you have one for fresh or salt water for whatever tank you have.  They vary in prices (like everything else) from under $50 (US) to $200 (US).  Most work with a gravity flow system so you don’t need to break out a drill.

The Forecast Calls For Cloudy Aquarium Water

There are several reasons why an aquarium would get cloudy water. When this happens, one has to look compactly at the cloudy water to determine the cause of it. If the water is a green cloud, this means that there is too much algae in the tank. This usually occurs because of overfeed and overuse of the light. To eliminate the green cloud, one should clean the gravel and filter more frequently, then lower the amount of food the fish is given on a daily basis and turn off the light for awhile.

White tinted cloudy aquarium water indicates the growth of bacteria in the tank. This can occur when you first set up the tank, or when you add new fish or decorations. The best way to clean this type of cloud is to filter the gravel often, wash the decorations and change the filter. The white murky aquarium water should clear up before long.

Adding The Additives

If none of the above suggestions work, then you can go to the local pet store and buy a special additive that you can add to the water to clear up the cloudy aquarium water. Sometimes these chemicals work, and other times they don’t. It all depends on what is making your water cloudy. If you don’t removed the source of the cloudiness from the water the cloudy aquarium water will simply return over and over again. Therefore, make sure you know what is causing your cloudy aquarium water before deciding to add the additives.

Understand what is making your aquarium water cloudy is the first step in understanding how to clean it up. If you try these steps and the cloudiness still does not clear up, you may require to seek advice from a fish expert at your local pet store. Cloudiness may not be desperate to your fish in the beginning. However, if it is left untreated it could possible grow into a deadly problem.