Setting up a saltwater aquarium is a complex task. You don't simply put water and salt into a tank and drop a fish in. There are various aquarium accessories you'll also need to buy. This article will give you a few tips on setting up saltwater tanks.
Tank
Obviously, one of the first things you'll need to buy is a tank. Some are made from acrylic and others are made from glass. Acrylic tanks are susceptible to scratches while glass tanks can break. The size of your saltwater fish also comes into play when deciding on a tank. Your particular fish may need room to grow in the future, so the tank should be big enough to accommodate this.
Salt
You will also need to buy salt when keeping a saltwater fish. The salt needs to be mixed with water before it's added to the tank. It's also vital to buy a hydrometer. This allows you to measure the amount of salt inside the tank. Too much or too little salt may harm your pet.
Lighting
When setting up saltwater tanks, you'll also need some type of lighting. This usually comes in the form of a fluorescent bulb. However, if you have other organisms inside the tank beside your saltwater fish, you may need a high-output or metal-halide lighting solution. It's best that you put the lighting system on a timer to provide your fish with the necessary amount of light each day.
Filtration
One of the most important aquarium accessories is the filtration system since it will keep your saltwater fish healthy. There are many different types of filters on the market. Some hang on the side of the tank. You can also use natural methods like live rock or live sand.
Substrate
Saltwater tanks can also have different substrates. This is the type of material located on the bottom of the tank. You should also provide your fish with one or more hiding places. This will give them a comfortable place to go when they feel stressed.
Heat
The heater is also one of the most important aquarium accessories. Smaller aquarium tanks can usually get by on one heater. However, larger designs will likely need more than one. In addition to this, you'll also need a thermometer to ensure the temperature stays between 75 and 80 degrees.
These are a few tips on setting up saltwater tanks. Choose a design that gives you fish room to grow in the future. You'll also need to buy a heating system, lighting system, and filtration to ensure the fish stays healthy.
Author Resource:
Edison Chase lives in Boston and writes about several things including fashion, turtle care and Maori tattoo designs .
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