Saltwater Aquarium: Basic Guide

Saltwater aquariums  are often exciting and beautiful to look at, but they do require a great amount of special care.  Keeping the water stable, providing comfortable hideaways, and routine tank cleaning are just some of the factors needed to keep Nemo  happy.  The care of an aquarium is rewarded with a healthy and relaxing saltwater tank, but you must first be knowledgeable and prepared in order to take on this endeavour.  

What System Is Right For You?

There are three kinds of salt water aquariums out there to consider.  Think about what kind of aquascaping you want to do in the tank, and just how much effort you are willing to put into the hobby.  Each system requires a different level of care and has its own special considerations.  

Fish-Only System

A fish-only aquarium is one that contains, you guessed it... just fish.  Occasionally, these tanks will contain algae or snails, but no live rocks, live plants, or live coral are involved. 

• Fish:  Most kinds of fish communities are suitable for this type of set-up, though many aquarists use it to keep aggressive or predatory fish that ought to be left without other live creatures. 
• Eels,  Lions,  Triggers,  Groupers,  Snappers,  Puffers,  and large species of Angel Fish  are just a few
• Decoration: Decorative seashells  and artificial plants  are used in this kind of system. 
• Filtration: Using mechanical filtration is essential for fish that are alone in a tank, especially those that are messy eaters.  Typically canister  or hang-on tank  style filters are a good bet. 
• Good Water Movement: Keeping water circulation in the tank is a must, as it keeps the oxygen cycle going.  Without live plants to help with the filtration, the water must be circulated through an air pump with an air stone  or bubble wand,  or by using a powerhead  or two. 
• Lighting: You will only need lighting to enhance the look of the aquarium and fish.  Normal output standard bulbs  can be used in a fish-only tank.  This is typically a 15-40 watt bulb and can be included with the hood.  
• Upgrading: If you choose to upgrade your tank to one with live rock or reef, consider investing in filtration and equipment that can be easily converted in the future. 

Live Rock System

A live rock system is the same as a fish-only system, as it does not include corals, but it does involve the fish dwelling with other macro/micro organisms that are alive on the rocks.  This is a great way to have biological filtration present in your tank.  

• Fish: Though the fish selection is based upon compatibility, marine organisms associated with live rock are a good call.
• Filtration: An external filtration system is not necessary for a live rock system, as the rocks serve as their own biological filtration.  
• Curing: A fully cured live rock  may be safe to place in an aquarium that is already established, however, live rock labelled as "fresh" or "uncured" means that it CANNOT yet be placed into the tank.  You will need to cure it before you can do so.  This can take anywhere from a few days to a month. 
• The amount of cured live rock should only be at a maximum of 2 pounds per gallon of water.  Don't overload the system!  
• First, rinse off the rock and scrub off any dead or decaying organisms, as they can corrupt the process.
• Place the uncured rock in a separate tank.  Keep it dark to avoid algae growth, and keep it with a heater,  powerhead,  and protein skimmer.  
• The rock is cured when the ammonia and nitrate levels are at zero and the rock no longer smells.
• Be patient!  Add small amounts of rock at a time and test, test, test.  When the tank settles, wait a little longer and test it again. 
• If you see anything white or black growing on the rock in the curing process, remove it instantly, as it will be detrimental.  
• Water:  When adding live rock, keep in mind that this will make the water rise.  Start off with about half a tank of salt water, add the rock, and then top it off with more salt water.
• Conditioning: Additives such as calcium,  iodine,  and strontium  will encourage the growth of pink and purple coraline algae on your rocks, and contribute to their healthy growth.  
• Lighting:  More intense lighting will be needed for a true live rock environment.  Higher output fluorescents are needed, such as 10k,  20k,  or 50/50 bulbs.   Consider using power compact lighting  (PC). 
• Upgrading:  If adding corals is something that you may want to do someday, think about buying sufficient lighting that will allow for an easy transition. 

Reef System

A reef system is a fish-only tank with live rock AND the addition of coral into the aquarium.  This requires a higher quality of lighting, a higher quality of water, and different movement and life within.

• Fish:  Not all fish are "reef safe."  Some will eat corals and not all can dwell in such an environment.   
• Dwarf Angelfish,  Clownfish,  Mandarinfish,  Gobies,  Tangs,  Hermit Crabs,  Snails,  Starfish,  Shrimp  are a few safe fish for a reef.
• Filtration: Most corals do not tolerate the high level of nitrates and other toxins released by fish, so water quality is of the utmost importance. 
• The Berlin Filter Systems  and Jaubert Live Sand Filtration  are two of the original filtration systems for reef tanks, and will get the job done. 
• Many state of the art filters will also work to remove these toxins efficiently.  Sometimes aquarists find that a combination of filters works well too.
• Some aquariums come with the reef-ready filtration and lighting all ready for you.  Look for a "Reef Ready" Aquarium.      
• Lighting:  Since corals are included in the reef tank system, sufficient lighting will be needed in order for them to undergo photosynthesis. 
• A general rule of thumb for reef tank lighting is to have 3.5 watts per gallon of water for soft corals. 
• For hard corals, 4.5 watts per gallon is appropriate.
• Water Quality: Your water will need to remain perfect at all times.  The follows levels should be constant, and a pH kit  and aquarium test kit  are needed.
• Corals: There are some easy corals to consider.  By "easy", this means corals that are less demanding and may allow novice reef owners to achieve success.
• Mushroom Coral,  Star Polyps,  Sea Mat and Button Polyps,  Velvet Coral,  Moon Coral,  Ridge Coral  are some of the recommended few.

Setting Up Your Aquarium System

Once you have decided what system to work with, you will need the proper equipment.

The Basics
Fish Tank  Avoid direct sunlight and drafts when you set up your tank.  Keep in mind that the aquarium probably will not move from this spot, and you will want ample room to perform water changes, etc. Acrylic tank  Glass tank	Lighting  The type of lighting will depend on what type of system you are looking to set up, as well as the livestock involved.  Keep in mind that different species have different needs. Coral lighting  Fluorescent tubes	Filter  Once again, the system of set up will help you determine if you will need an advanced filtration system. Canister filter  Undergravel filter  (UGF ) Wet-dry trickle filter	Substrate  Choose what type of material you want to start out with on the bottom of the tank.  Think about whether you want a live or an artificial medium present. Gravel  Live sand  Rocks	Heater  Tropical fish and plants are very sensitive to the temperature, and it is vital that you keep it consistent. Chiller  Floating thermometer  Submersible heater  Stick-on thermometer

Shelter  Tropical fish are often territorial, and you will want to provide coves and areas for them to feel safe and sheltered. Coral  Decorations  Rocks  Wavemaker	Saltwater  Obviously the most important component of the aquarium.  There are many different ways to create this solution, so be wary and choose what you can afford. Hydrometer  Instant Ocean  Saltwater solution  Sea salt mix	Supplements  Unlike freshwater, salt water will need more care and maintenance to keep its salinity.  Utilize chemicals to keep it balanced. Calcium  Iodine  Limewater  pH Kit  Water conditioner	Protein Skimmer  Air bubbles in the skimmer's body strip the water of unwanted waste products and keep the tank healthy. Air stone  Air pump  Hang-on tank skimmer  In-tank skimmer	Maintenance Equipment  Routine maintenance of the tank is just as important as the initial set-up. Algae scraper  Fish net  Quarantine tank  Test kit  UV Sterilizer

Related Guides

How to Choose Aquarium Fish	Aquarium Filters and Pumps	Aquatic Plants	Freshwater Aquarium Basics

External Links

• About.com: Additional information on salt water aquariums.
• faq.thekrib.com: Beginner Saltwater FAQ.
• TheReefTank.com: An online community for reef hobbyists.