| Marine life is regarded as the most beautiful of all | | | | you must be prepared for a power outage. Fish |
| life forms in the universe. An aquarium with fish, | | | | may survive for a day without water circulation, |
| invertebrates, and marine plants, is a glimpse of | | | | which creates oxygenation. However, other |
| the astonishing beauty of our world's oceans. | | | | marine life including corals, inverts and |
| Taking time to learn about the right equipment, | | | | microorganisms that live within the live rock, will |
| and care requirements will pay off. | | | | soon start to die. Therefore, a back-up power |
| One of the main factors to consider when | | | | supply is a worthy investment. |
| selecting the right size aquarium depends on the | | | | You must select the right type of lighting for your |
| livestock that you plan to keep. Several larger | | | | saltwater aquarium. There is a wide variety of |
| species of fish will need to have sufficient space | | | | aquarium lighting to choose from, including |
| to live and thrive in the aquarium. There are a | | | | metal-halide and compact-fluorescent, typically |
| variety of ready-made saltwater reef aquarium | | | | measured in "PAR" (Photosynthetically Active |
| tanks in different shapes and sizes available, and | | | | Radiation). Therefore, before purchasing, reading |
| with a little luck, finding a suitable one should not | | | | up on the various lamp types and lighting |
| be hard. Remember to check online aquarium | | | | spectrums is recommended. Setting up the lighting |
| supply stores, which typically have a wider | | | | is easy, once you understand the lighting that |
| selection than local neighborhood fish stores. | | | | your particular aquarium inhabitants will need. |
| Components to consider when setting up an | | | | You will need to select a good quality synthetic |
| aquarium may include a tank stand and hood. | | | | salt, substrate, and live rock. There are different |
| More importantly, what you need to decide is | | | | types of live rock available from different parts |
| whether you want to start with a fish-only tank, | | | | of the world, including Fiji and Tonga. Live rock is |
| or if you want a fish-only-with-live-rock tank | | | | typically sold per pound, as cured or uncured. |
| (F.O.W.L.R.), or if you want a reef tank which may | | | | Cured is more expensive, because it has been |
| include live fish, live rocks, corals and | | | | cleaned and acclimated for immediate use in your |
| invertebrates. One thing to bear in mind when | | | | aquarium. |
| setting up a saltwater aquarium is its placement, | | | | Not all fish and invertebrates are compatible for |
| as you cannot shift it around once it's filled to | | | | living together in a saltwater aquarium. So before |
| capacity with water. Therefore, careful thought | | | | purchasing any marine life it is important to read |
| and planning must go into the decision of where | | | | about which are compatible together and which |
| the aquarium is to be finally placed. | | | | are not. In conclusion, you must do thorough |
| Other major components will include the right | | | | research on saltwater aquariums, and how to |
| type of filtration system for your tank. There are | | | | care for the marine animals you intend to keep. |
| different types of filtration systems available, and | | | | Don't rush this process. Take your time. There |
| it would be best to read about them before | | | | may be some trial and error, but with time, you'll |
| deciding which one to get. Your filtration | | | | be rewarded with a beautiful piece of the ocean |
| apparatus, including water heater, pumps and | | | | you'll be proud of. |
| protein skimmer, will be powered by electricity, so | | | | |