How to Start a Marine Aquarium

Use water to clean the inside of your chosen tank. You can use any size tank you would like; however, if this is your first marine aquarium, it is recommended you start with a minimum of 15 gallons since larger tanks are easier to maintain. Do not use soap when you are cleaning the tank, because soap residue can cause problems with the fish.

Set your tank on your tank stand in a location that is out of direct sunlight and away from air vents. You do not want to battle these factors when maintaining the temperature and light requirements in your tank.

Install the filter, protein skimmer and heater in your tank. Depending on the models you choose, set-up will vary. Follow the instructions for the models you purchase. Also install a thermometer in your tank.

Fill a 5-gallon plastic bucket with room temperature tap water. Treat the water with a chlorine and chloramines remover. Add your salt mix to the bucket and stir, using a hydrometer. Adjust the salt mix until your hydrometer reads between 1.021 and 1.024. All of these supplies can be found at your pet supply store. Because the different products may require different mixing instructions, follow the specific instructions on the packaging. Pour the water into your tank. Repeat the entire process until you have filled your tank 3/4 full.

Turn on the filter, protein skimmer and heater. Leave the tank alone for 24 hours.

Place your live rocks in the tank and turn the filter heads so that they are directed towards the rocks. Using a siphon, suck up any debris that is released.

Use a toothbrush or small scrub brush to wipe away any dead matter from the surface of the rocks, every four days. During this cleaning, turn your filter and protein skimmer off and use a siphon to remove the dead matter. Repeat this every four days until your water shows no ammonia or nitrites and low nitrates when tested with a water test kit.

Prepare a bucket of water to add to your aquarium one day in advance of cleanings. Use the chlorine and chloramines remover as well as the salt mix and hydrometer to reach the same specific gravity as your tank. Allow the water to sit for 24 hours before adding it into the tank.

Prepare your substrate by adding it into a bucket of prepared pretreated water. Use your hands to mix the substrate and water together and then let it settle. Siphon off any debris that is in the water. Using a plastic cup, scoop the substrate from the bucket and pour it into your tank. If necessary, adjust the water level in the tank by removing excess water or adding additional water.

Leave your tank, substrate and rocks to sit for four more days. Test the water with your water test kit. You want a pH of 8.0 to 8.4, carbonate hardness between 7 and 10 DkH, ammonia and nitrites should be 0 and nitrates should be less than 20 ppm. Check your thermometer and adjust the water temperature as needed. It should be between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Use your hydrometer to test the specific gravity, which should be between 1.020 and 1.024. If your readings are off, leave the tank for another 24 hours and then retest.

Add your chosen fish one to two at a time, making sure to condition them before releasing them into the tank. To condition the fish, empty the bag the fish came home in, fish and water, into a 5 gallon bucket. Scoop one cup of water out of the tank and add it to the bucket. Add an additional cup of water from the tank into the bucket every 10 minutes for an hour. Transfer the fish from the bucket into the tank after an hour using a fish net and discard of the bucket's contents. Allow the fish to acclimate to its surroundings for three to four days before adding additional fish.