Saltwater Aquarium setup: Choosing the right tank

There are some factors involved when choosing the type of saltwater aquarium setup. Including how much space and what environment you have other factors include the type of fish you want to keep and how much they cost? Buying the largest saltwater aquarium setup you can afford which will fit within the environment you have chosen to use should be your first goal.

The first priority is to the comfort of your saltwater fish and any other species as they grow in your aquarium. The invertebrates and fish which will be in your tank require room to swim and grow but also need an environment where there is plenty of oxygen in order to survive. This is determined from the size of your tank. So when you finally opt for the freshwater aquarium set up you want then remember this and give your fish a chance to grow.

One important aspect of your saltwater aquarium setup is oxygen. The surface area of your tank is the major contributing factor to the amount of oxygen it holds. This equates to the area of water exposed to the atmosphere at the top of the tank. Having a greater surface area for your saltwater aquarium means oxygen has more of a chance of transferring from the air into the water.

The surface area of your saltwater aquarium is not only for the intake of oxygen but also to let harmful substances like carbon dioxide t leave. The aquarium will be much healthier the more this process is allowed to develop. Water temperature is one more factor that determines the amount of oxygen it holds. In general the lower the temperature the more oxygen it will hold.

With warmer water tropical fish with temperatures above 75 degrees less oxygen is available. You may have to stock less marine animals if you do not have a large enough surface area for your saltwater aquarium. Therefore the larger aquarium you can keep the better it is for your saltwater fish.

Saltwater aquariums come in all shapes and sizes so how can you determine your requirements? It is the shape that determines the surface area not the size or volume. Because of its shape a tank can have less surface area even though it holds a larger volume. Tall and narrow aquariums will not have the ideal area for the gas cycle. The exchange of gas will be much better in a short wide tank.

With this in mind and your aquarium tank chosen, its time to move on to the inhabitants. Like we mentioned depending on the size of the tank will determine the amount of inhabitants you can keep in comfort. One of the worst problems with a saltwater aquarium setup for beginners is overcrowding the tank. Your aquarium relies on an efficient filtration system and too many inhabitants will overload it. Stressed fish living in cramped conditions is on of the major causes of fish death, diseases and illness.

Do not rush and stock up you fish slowly. Only a small amount should be introduced in one go. First calculate how many gallons of water your aquarium holds. For the first six months introduce fish at one inch per fish for every four gallons of water. A sixty gallon saltwater aquarium setup would therefore have 15 fish. More fish can be added after six months at an increase of two gallons for every inch of fish.

A 60 gallon tank example would be:-

Two 1-inch clownfish
One 1-inch Beau Gregory’s
Two 3-inch queen angel
Two 1- inch gobies
Two 1-inch blennies
One 2-inch Tang (surgeonfish)

You can mix and match as long as you get the basic sizes right. After the six month period you can increase you fish to 30.

You may have to adjust the amount of fish you keep in you tank because when they grow they will require more space. Not only fish size but shape is also an Issue. Less fish is needed in an aquarium with heavier stock.

{The development of your saltwater aquarium takes time}. They do cost money and cutting corners is not the answer. Problems will occur even when you have spent lots of time developing your tank. with a bit of thought getting the right aquarium from the start is better than having to change it because you choose wrongly. Think before you buy, a small tank at the beginning is probably not the best idea. Wait until you can afford at least a 30 gallon tank or bigger before investing in your saltwater aquarium.

The choices of saltwater aquariums are vast starting with do you get a glass or acrylic tank? Will it be a ready made reef tank already suitable for all your filtration and other equipment? Choosing correctly is up to you so get advice. One good starting point is silicon sealed glass tanks. The range is vast from unusual hexagonal and octagonal shapes to the more conventional rectangular types. Glass tanks are less prone to scratching than an acrylic tank although the acrylic aquarium is becoming more and more popular.

Acrylic tanks are much lighter than there glass equivalent. Glass aquariums are heavier and difficult to manoeuvre if moving. These tanks have quite thick glass. A good option is a glass tank with a plastic frame. Glass types are tempered which is stronger or shatter proof plated glass.

The popular option is an acrylic saltwater aquarium setup with moulded seems which are more transparent. Your view in the corners may be distorted which is a small problem. Because of the material acrylic tanks can have even more shapes and outdo the glass variety with many more models. They cost more money and scratch easier which is a downside. The things to watch for to avoid scratches is be careful with decorations and when removing algae. The good news is that scratches can be removed using special kits.

The health of your fish is the priority whatever type of saltwater aquarium you go for. You need time to look after it properly and also enough cash to keep it in good order and properly maintained. Total relaxation can be found when watching your new marine friends playing in your aquarium. Your saltwater aquarium will give you much enjoyment and pleasure

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 23rd, 2008 at 3:27 am and is filed under Fish. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.