| p>Marine fishes and invertebrates are part of | | | | biological wastes in your aquarium. Other |
| what make saltwater aquarium maintenance quite | | | | attractive and harmless species that can be |
| a bit more complex than fresh water fish tank | | | | placed in your tank include feather dusters, brittle |
| maintenance. A complicated saltwater ecosystem | | | | stars, sea stars, and snails. As a cautionary note, |
| requires both knowledge and patience. | | | | snails do reproduce rapidly and can overtake a |
| Saltwater aquariums come in a large variety | | | | tank, so ask for technical support and guidance if |
| including acrylic and glass and they usually come | | | | you are planning to bring them into your |
| with mechanical filters and chemicals, as part of a | | | | aquarium's ecosystem. |
| package. Other necessities include a hood, stand, | | | | Tropical fishes that you bring into your aquarium |
| heater and lighting. Most stores have aquarium | | | | will be quite pleased if you have an adequate |
| sizes varying from thirty to sixty gallons, with | | | | filtration system. Refugium and hang-on filtration |
| industrial places housing much larger custom | | | | systems are readily available at your local pet |
| saltwater aquariums. | | | | stores. It is of the utmost importance that you |
| Maintaining a saltwater aquarium means keeping it | | | | have an efficient mechanical and chemical filtration |
| clean, through regular quality water changes. | | | | system, coupled with biological filtration. The latter |
| Infrequent changes improper water changes with | | | | is provided by the refugium filter system. |
| non-prepared, chemically imbalanced water makes | | | | If some of the above material seems |
| for unclean and possibly unsafe water conditions. | | | | overwhelming, you can always try your hand at |
| A big part of a proper ecosystem involves | | | | freshwater fish. This type of ecosystem is a lot |
| selecting appropriate and compatible fishes, corals, | | | | easier to maintain and gives you good practice, on |
| invertebrates, and plants. You should regularly | | | | a simpler level, in maintaining and cleaning a tank. |
| monitor the pH level, alkalinity and oxygen levels. | | | | However, saltwater tanks are not as hard to |
| A reliable reading for saline levels should be 28 to | | | | maintain once you get used to the equipment and |
| 32 PPT, while a healthy specific gravity level | | | | scheduled cleanings. It's all a matter of being |
| should be 1.020 to 1.024. An instrument that | | | | conscientious and knowledgeable. |
| determines proper levels in your tank is called a | | | | As a final note, make sure that you have good |
| hydrometer. | | | | store technical support. Even the most seasoned |
| If you are a fan of herbivores and detrivores, | | | | fish tank owners occasionally need advice, and |
| then live rock is an absolute must if you want | | | | having a reliable store close by is a very |
| these species to feel at home. Detrivores | | | | comforting and often necessary option. |
| maintains an ecological balance by feeding on the | | | | |