| So you're considering buying a saltwater aquarium | | | | come in some interesting designs. What kind of |
| and you are doing some initial research. Here are | | | | design do you want? This line of thinking should |
| some quick answers to some of the questions | | | | get you started in the right direction. |
| that you may have. Are they beautiful? Yes. Are | | | | What is the upkeep like? |
| they interesting? Yes. Is it easy to find resources | | | | Maintaining a saltwater aquarium properly is very |
| on how to care for them? Yes. Will the chicks dig | | | | important. It is so important in fact that you really |
| it? Yes! Do they require care and attention? Yes. | | | | should keep a log of your observations of |
| When you purchase a saltwater aquarium you are | | | | changes that are happening inside of it. You will |
| really buying a biosphere, and the life in it is | | | | want to take not on thinks like: |
| dependent on how you care for the environment. | | | | Fish: Do they have Parasites? Are they active? |
| So here are are a couple of things to consider | | | | Do they have a normal appetite? Does their color |
| when you purchase a saltwater aquarium. | | | | look normal? Do their fins look okay? |
| What kind of aquarium should I buy? | | | | Water: Is the water clear or cloudy? Is the |
| Before you buy you need to consider where you | | | | temperature right? Is the filter system working |
| are in life. I know that may seem like an | | | | correctly? Are the chemical levels correct? |
| existential thought, but it matters if you are in a | | | | (Salinity, pH, Alkalinity, Ammonia, Nitrite, |
| season of constant transition. Are you going to | | | | Phosphate, Iodine, Calcium) |
| move soon? Do you have an apartment? If that | | | | These parameters will help you determine how |
| is the case then you may want to consider a | | | | often you should clean your saltwater aquarium. |
| smaller tank for practical reasons: mobility, shock | | | | The quality of the filtration system will also help |
| to the creatures if you move, or just how will it | | | | determine how often you clean you saltwater |
| look at your place. What is your budget? An | | | | aquarium. The more you clean it the easier it is to |
| empty large tank is not very appealing. You also | | | | clean for you the next time. There are a lot of |
| need to consider if you are going to purchase an | | | | filter options out there but if you are looking for |
| acrylic tank or a glass tank. Glass tanks are | | | | something built in you may want to check out |
| difficult to scratch and keep their clarity but can | | | | Eclipse, SeaClear. These are quality systems that |
| be difficult to move and are less expensive. | | | | can filter 150 gallons an hour! |
| Acrylic tanks are easy to scratch, lighter, and | | | | |