Introduction
The purpose of this section, which follows up on our introduction to saltwater aquariums, is to provide beginners with advice on how to setup a saltwater aquarium, as well as an overview of the basic elements which need to be considered, both before and during, setup.
Experts state that going to an aquarium is a terrific way to relax and get some calm. In point of fact, it has been suggested for those who suffer from stress issues as well as high blood pressure. But if you are considering acquiring one, you need to ask yourself whether you have the time as well as the money to put in it. Only then should you go ahead and make the purchase.
The keeping of tropical fish, although potentially very enjoyable as a hobby, is not always the most convenient or easiest of pastimes, especially for beginners and those new to the hobby. Taking care of tropical fish requires a significant amount of upkeep, but if you begin by properly preparing the aquariums in which they will live, you can make the whole maintenance process more manageable in the long run.
How does one go about setting up an aquarium that contains saltwater? Regrettably, setting up your tank is not as easy as picking a tank, filling it with water, and adding fish to it. It may take you several days or even a few weeks to properly prepare your aquarium before you can bring your fish home from the pet shop or breeder. This step is essential before you bring your fish home.
Therefore, it is necessary to do some planning and organization beforehand. Choosing a tank should be your first priority right now. In addition to taking into account the room and location in which you wish to set up your aquarium, you will also need to conduct some study on the kind of fish that you plan to keep there before making any decisions about the size and design of your tank. There are certain fish that demand a greater quantity of room, and as a result, a tank that is much larger.
The sort of set up for a saltwater aquarium that you go with is going to rely on a few different things. Consider factors such as the amount of money you have available, the amount of room you have, and the sorts of animals you wish to keep. In general, you will want to get a saltwater aquarium system that is as large as you can manage financially, and yet have a pleasant aesthetic in your living space.
This is so that your fish and other animals continue to enjoy the highest level of comfort as they mature. To be able to live happily, the fish and other invertebrates that you select for your tank with also need sufficient amounts of room to swim and develop in, as well as oxygen. It is important to keep in mind the relationship between the size of the tank and these two aspects when you choose the components for your saltwater aquarium.
Oxygen
So, let’s speak about the oxygenation process that goes into setting up a saltwater aquarium, shall we? The surface area of the tank is proportional to the quantity of oxygen that is present in the water. This refers to the proportion of the tank’s surface that is open to the atmosphere at any one point. The size of the surface area of your saltwater aquarium setup determines the amount of space available for the exchange of oxygen that takes place at the water’s surface.
Your saltwater aquarium will have a higher chance of being healthy if you allow a sufficient amount of oxygen to enter the tank and a sufficient amount of potentially hazardous gases, such as carbon dioxide, to escape. The temperature of the water may also have an effect on the amount of oxygen that is in it. In a broad sense, the oxygen concentration of the water will decrease as the temperature rises.
Since the majority of marine organisms native to the tropics prefer water with a temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit or above, this indicates that there will be less oxygen accessible to them. At this point, it is crucial to expand the surface area of the tank by ensuring that your saltwater aquarium setup is as vast as it can possibly be.
Tank Size
How do you do this? There is no one standard configuration for a saltwater aquarium. There is a wide range of sizes and configurations available for marine tanks; nevertheless, the surface area of the tank is determined by its form rather than its capacity. This indicates that even in the case when two tanks have the same capacity, their shapes may cause them to have significantly different amounts of surface area. A configuration for a saltwater aquarium that is on the taller and thinner side will not have a decent rate of gas exchange. A tank that is both short and broad would be considered the perfect layout.
Take a look at the various costs. When it comes to saltwater aquarium tanks, you have a tremendous amount of options from which to choose and select. Perhaps the one at the local pet shop was more to your liking. Nevertheless, resist the want to give in to impulse and simply go ahead and purchase it. Investigate the costs and selections offered by other retailers as well. Who knows, maybe you’ll get fortunate and find a very fine one at a garage sale or a second-hand shop and save yourself a lot of money in the process. Of course, there is always the option of shopping on the internet, where you could find a large selection of items offered at rates that are extremely affordable.
Buying a Tank and Components
You may purchase your fish tanks in individual components (base, tank, hood, filter, lighting, heater etc.), but many people now opt to buy the entire sets that are available at most pet shops. These sets include everything you need to keep fish alive and healthy. No matter which approach you go with, you will be need to choose between a tank made of glass or acrylic, each of which offer a number of desirable qualities in their own right.
When you are setting up your tank, you should make sure that it is placed on a flat, stable surface. As an additional layer of support, you may use polystyrene or foam below. It should go without saying, but check to see that there are power outlets in the area where you want to set it up, as you do not want to inadvertently trip over any wires and cause injury to yourself or damage the equipment. You will also need to ensure that your fish tank is at a safe distance away from anything that vibrates, as this can frighten and stress your fish.
The next thing you need to do is make sure your fish are in an appropriate environment. Because rocks and gravel both function as natural filters, covering the bottom of the tank with them will make it easier to achieve this goal. Be sure to choose gravel that is designed particularly for use in fish tanks, and then rinse it with water before spreading it on the base in an amount equal to at least a few inches.
Clean water is of the utmost importance; while adding your own water, pour it into a dish that is placed within the tank to prevent the gravel from being dispersed. It’s possible that you’ll want to employ a filter boost in addition to an external or an internal filter. They operate as a catalyst, which speeds up the development of bacteria in the water, which in turn breaks down toxins, and they may also be used to minimize the amount of time necessary to prepare your aquarium. Depending on the kind of filtration system you have, you may also want to consider purchasing an air pump.
Your tank’s temperature, which may be managed by an in-built or add-on heating/lighting system, can be monitored with the assistance of a thermometer for your convenience. A hood is another component that is not always included in kits that are sold for setting up fish tanks. These are necessary for preventing objects and dust from getting into your tank (or fish that can jump from escaping!), and they can also house any internal filtering or heating equipment, so you’ll want to be sure that the one you pick has enough room for that equipment.
In the same way that you would prepare your own house, the last stage in preparing your tank can include doing a little bit of interior decorating. If you decide to put plants in your aquarium, you should first ensure that they won’t harm the fish you want to maintain and then carefully clean the plants before placing them as bedding in your tank’s base. You should also make sure to clean any other decorations like logs; you do not want anything unsavory to be hiding in your tank before your swimming beauties move in.
Adding Fish
When you’ve settled on your tank, it’s time to consider the inhabitants of your new home for your fish. The number of fish and invertebrates that may be kept in your tank will, of course, be determined by the size of the aquarium. When setting up a saltwater aquarium, the most important thing to watch out for is overcrowding. If you have too many residents, the filtering system of your tank will get overwhelmed. Fish that are forced to live in confined spaces experience stress, which may eventually lead to sickness and even death.
If you supply your saltwater aquarium with one inch of fish for every four gallons of water over a period of six months, you will be able to estimate the number of fish that it will be able to house. After this time has passed, gradually increase the quantity of fish until you have one inch for every two gallons. This indicates that during the first half year of ownership of a 40-gallon aquarium, there should be no more than 10 inches of fish in the tank at any one time.
You may, for instance, go with one queen angel that is three inches long, two clownfish that are one inch long, one royal tang that is two inches long, one bicolor blenny that is one inch long, and two Beau Gregory’s that are one inch long. After the first time of six months has passed, you will be able to bring the total number of inches in your saltwater aquarium setup up to twenty.
Because your fish will become bigger, if they are not fully grown when bought, you will need to make adjustments to account for the progression in their dimensions. The form of your fish is another significant consideration. If there is a good chance that your fish will be on the heftier side, you will need to keep the capacity of your saltwater aquarium on the lower end of the range.
Time and Money
You should prepare yourself mentally and financially for the fact that setting up a saltwater aquarium will be expensive, and you shouldn’t cut corners. Even if you put a significant amount of time and effort into maintaining a tiny tank, you may still run into difficulties. If you make the incorrect decision from the beginning, you will almost certainly have to go out and get another one, which may be quite depressing. Do not make any financial investments if you do not have the funds necessary to purchase a tank that has a capacity of at least 30 gallons.
There are a lot of different configurations available to select from when setting up a saltwater aquarium. You have the option of going with glass or acrylic, and you can even acquire models that are reef-ready, which means they already have holes drilled for piping and equipment. The most frequent option is a glass tank that has been sealed with silicon rubber cement. Although rectangles are the most common shape, other common shapes include octagons and hexagons.
The disadvantage of constructing a saltwater aquarium out of glass is that it is rather heavy. This indicates that the glass used for the larger tanks will be exceedingly thick. You should go for one that has a plastic frame since this will provide the tank additional stability. Although it cannot be broken, plated glass lacks the strength of tempered glass.
In order to achieve greater transparency, components of an acrylic saltwater aquarium system are molded with a minimal number of seams. Nevertheless, your perspective may still be skewed in the four corners. Acrylic tanks are not as heavy as glass tanks, and as a result, there is a greater range of forms and sizes available for acrylic tanks. Additionally, acrylic is more durable than glass. Acrylic tanks have the disadvantage of being more costly than glass tanks and being susceptible to scratching. They are readily damaged by the algae scrapers and decorations that are used in them.
Conclusion
Make sure that the setup for your saltwater aquarium offers a healthy habitat for your fish, regardless of the method you pick. In addition to this, you need to determine whether or not you have the financial means to properly maintain it, as well as whether or not it is compatible with your lifestyle and the amount of time you have available.
After you have completed all of the necessary steps and ensured that everything is in its proper place, you will be able to take pleasure in the vibrant behaviors and sculpted forms of your fishy companions, corals, and other invertebrates. Have fun exploring the wondrous world contained inside your saltwater tank!