How to Create an Aquatic Environment in a Salt Water Aquarium Tank

When creating an aquatic environment in a sea water aquarium, the hobbyist needs to recreate both the physical and chemical properties of a coral reef. Fish and invertebrates, such as anemones and sea urchins, come from the reef's complex environment. Hard and soft corals, sponges, gorgonians and higher algae grow in abundance and the live rock is full of caves and smaller crevices. Select species, like the wrasse, rest and sleep under the substrate, while clownfishes hide among the stinging tentacles of the giant sea anemones.

Things You'll Need

  • Aragonite substrate, fine grained and smooth
  • Large pieces of base rock
  • Smaller pieces of live rock
  • Assorted pieces of small polyp stony coral
  • Marine aquarium cement
  • Synthetic sea salt
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a high quality aragonite, because it will slowly leach out beneficial minerals and trace elements that will benefit the overall chemistry of the water.

    • 2

      Place a thick layer of aragonite sand onto the bottom of the aquarium. Build the aragonite slightly higher at the back of the aquarium. By doing this, accumulated dirt, can work its way toward the front, where it can easily be removed.

    • 3

      Use a fine-grained smooth aragonite so that wrasse can bury into the substrate without damaging their fins or body. This fine grain will also allow the aragonite to be populated by substrate shifting creatures, like tiny brittle stars and marine worms.

    • 4

      Position a number of pieces of large base rocks toward the rear of the aquarium. Dig their bases into the aragonite to prevent void pockets that detritus and debris can accumulate in. Space the rocks, to allow for optimal water circulation.

    • 5

      Build at least one cave by placing a large, flat piece of rock horizontally between two round, fist-shaped rocks.

    • 6

      Position smaller pieces of living rock onto the base rock. Ensure that each piece of rock is stable and will not tumble down and crack the aquarium glass.

    • 7

      Place a select number of living coral pieces between the live rocks. Cement pieces onto live rock, using marine aquarium cement, as required.

    • 8

      Use a high-quality synthetic sea salt when replacing water to ensure that the all-important chemical environment remains optimal for reef life.