DIY Salt Water Fish Tanks

Saltwater tanks have been known to be less maintenance friendly than freshwater tanks. Yet saltwater tanks can host a larger variety of aqua-life such as corals, mussels and exotic fish. You may find that once you get a saltwater tank started with the proper equipment, cycling and testing, the time invested is worth the work.

  1. Equipment

    • The equipment needed for a saltwater fish tank is mostly geared toward proper water cycling and filtration. The smaller the tank, the more filtration you'll need. A protein skimmer helps remove extra bio-waste from the water bubbles by skimming it off of their surfaces. Power heads, which are miniature fans, keep the saltwater cycling to prevent stagnant water, which can invite algae and mosquitoes. For natural filtration, it is suggested that you get several pounds of live rock. Live rock absorbs fish bio-waste and promotes the growth of healthy bacteria and waste-eating creatures such as copepods. You'll also need to install fish tank lights, preferably three-phase bulbs that simulate dawn-to-dusk light cycles. A heater will keep your water temperature at optimum levels.

    Cycling

    • Once you have all the equipment in place, don't plug any of it in. You'll need to start cycling the saltwater and get it to an acceptable natural state before the filtration process begins. Failure to do so before adding your keeper fish can kill any fish or livestock you plan to keep for awhile. Start by adding live sand to your tank. Two inches of sand should be good for a 50-gallon tank. You would then mix the sea salt with freshwater in a separate container. Use a hydrometer to get the proper salt-to-water ratio, which should be between 1.021 to 1.024 to start. Be sure to use triple-filtered water for better success. Once the water is mixed, add it to the tank, turn on the electrical equipment, and let it cycle for two days.

    Testing and Fish

    • After two days of water cycling, add your cured live rock and allow for another week of water cycling. Start to add one or two "test" fish such as Damsels. They can dirty up the tank with the necessary biological debris needed to encourage positive growth of copepods and good bacteria. Test your tank using a saltwater testing kit. You'll want to get good levels of nitrites, nitrates and ammonia. Continue testing every few days for two weeks to ensure your levels are consistent. You can then start adding one or two of your favorite fish at a time. However, make sure you remove the tester fish to keep your tank from being too dirty. Research your specific fish to see what other preferences they may need, such as more salinity or extra light.