| The underwater flora and fauna have never failed | | | | changed at irregular intervals. Make sure to |
| to amaze and attract the attention of all those | | | | disconnect all the electric supply before you |
| who explore the underwater environment. The | | | | change the water. Remove and clean all the glass |
| beauty of naturally occurring enthralling colors of | | | | portions of the tank if required. Changing water in |
| fish and plankton just takes your breath away. | | | | saltwater tanks have been made convenient by |
| To think of owning a small part of this natural | | | | making commercially available salt mixes. While |
| beauty within the four walls of your own captivity | | | | changing a part of water from the tank make |
| is not only exciting but also a mesmerizing | | | | sure you rinse and clean the pumps and hoses. |
| experience. Most of the common people prefer to | | | | Using a commercially available salt mix and |
| own a freshwater aquarium thinking that it is | | | | dechlorinated tap water make a batch of new |
| easier to maintain. The fact is, Saltwater | | | | saltwater. Make sure that the temperature and |
| aquariums are equally easier to maintain if one | | | | salinity of the new batch of water matches that |
| follows procedures as per certain basic rules of | | | | of the existing water in the tank. Once this is |
| maintenance. | | | | checked you can gradually incorporate this water |
| A saltwater environment is a bit difficult to | | | | into the tank and switch on the power back on. |
| nurture but if you really care about your aquarium | | | | You must also keep a watch on the pH levels of |
| you would find it easier to follow certain | | | | the water in the tank. The pH value has a |
| fundamentals. It is a good idea to allow for a | | | | tendency to lower down as time passes by. To |
| stable environment for your marine pets by | | | | correct this condition you must add sodium |
| including considerable numbers of coral reefs into | | | | bicarbonate (baking soda). Add this mixture over |
| your saltwater fish tank. As part of your first | | | | intervals of an hour or two. The pH drops for a |
| step towards maintenance, you must make sure | | | | short while but returns back to 8.2 over time. You |
| if all the electric support gear is in good working | | | | must also make sure to check water |
| condition. The electric set up includes, air and | | | | temperature and maintain it accordingly. You must |
| water pumps, lighting supply, heaters and coolers. | | | | check for "salt creep" on the top edges of the |
| Next is to check for ammonia or nitrates by | | | | tank and clean them periodically, and check the |
| smelling the water or observing the change in its | | | | fishes for signs of distress or disease. You must |
| texture. If the fish look darting around the tank, | | | | also remove uneaten food from the fish tank else |
| gasping for air or not moving at all, a partial water | | | | it would begin to decompose and destroy the |
| change is indicated. You must make sure you | | | | saltwater environment in the tank. Also check for |
| always have access to salt and dechlorinated | | | | algal growths and get rid of them on time. As far |
| water whenever its time to change the tank | | | | as food is concerned, feeding your marine pets |
| water. | | | | flake foods may seem sufficient but alternating |
| Replacing the tank with water at regular intervals | | | | foods are highly recommended to keep the |
| is the best way to keep the nitrate | | | | necessary nutrients made available to the fishes. |
| concentrations at bay. In most cases small | | | | A variety of fish food combinations like cut |
| quantities of water changes on a regular basis is | | | | shrimps, clam, flake food and frozen or live brine |
| much preferred over larger amounts of water | | | | shrimp makes a good staple diet for the fishes. |