What Do You Need for a Salt Water Aquarium?

Starting a salt water aquarium is exciting and many people want to rush out and get started. This is generally something that takes some planning and cannot be rushed into if you want it done right. Not only are there are a lot of considerations, much of what goes into a salt water aquarium can be quite costly so consider that when getting your salt water aquarium supplies. Caring for salt water animals requires many things to take care of them properly.

  1. Tank Considerations

    • Start thinking about where to put a tank, because where you put it will dictate size and shape to a large extent and consider whether an acrylic or glass tank is more preferable for your use. Both tanks are perfectly acceptable, but some consumers feel more comfortable with an acrylic tank because it is not as prone to breakage over time. The tank of your choice can be purchased locally at a pet or fish store or you can buy it through the Internet.

    Lighting the Tank

    • Consider how you will light your tank. Besides needing light to see your aquarium, the livestock in your tank require light to live, as well. There are different requirements for a fish-only tank, for one that has reef elements, and those that contain coral. Consider both florescent and halide lighting to meet the needs of the livestock in your tank.

    Adding Salt

    • A salt water aquarium needs salt water. Choose a sea salt mix that will create an environment that is as close to sea water as possible. There are different brands from which to choose from but you may need to experiment a bit to see which one works best for you. With all the different options out there, you will need to determine what level of salinity needs to be achieved for your specific animals, which can be learned through your sea water livestock provider. One of the most popular brands of mixtures that even beginners succeed with is Instant Ocean. Instant Ocean contains directions on the back of the package to help you create the right salinity level for your specific tank.

    Hydrometer Importance

    • Because the salinity of the water is so important to the health of your livestock, you need to buy a hydrometer. This tool will help you determine the salinity of your tank at any given time. The way that the hydrometer works is that it measures the salt content of the water at any time. This will help you determine when to add more sea salt mixture and when you may need to dilute the salinity with fresh water for the health of your livestock.

    Filtration Systems

    • A filtration system cannot be overlooked for your salt water aquarium. When you buy your tank you will probably find that there are filtration systems that are recommended for it. For ease of use, buy a filtration system that boasts ease of use. There are different kinds of filtration systems, including biological filtration systems, canister filters and wet try trickle filters. Most people choose a combination of biological filtration and one of the others for the best overall coverage.

    Other Necessary Items

    • Substrate is another important consideration for your tank, Substrate is the material that you will choose for the bottom of your tank. You can choose living and non living substrate such live sand or rock or you could even choose a non-living sand or gravel. What livestock you will have in your tank may or may not influence your choice, as will the time you have to dedicate to the tank. If you want a low maintenance tank a non-living substrate would be your best choice.
      Salt water tanks, like freshwater tanks, need to be kept at certain temperatures, which your livestock will dictate. You help control the temperature with a heating system. When choosing your heater, be sure that it will adequately heat your tank. Be aware that larger tanks often require two heaters. With your heater, you will also need to purchase a thermometer that will help you control the temperature of the water. There are many different types such as stick-ons, floating and remote reading thermometers.

    Maintenance Items

    • Maintenance of any tank is a big responsibility and you will need a few items on hand to clean your tank any time it is necessary. Maintenance items to have on hand include a couple of plastic buckets, a siphon tube and hose used for cleaning the bottom of a tank, as well as an algae magnet or scraper. A test kit is a good purchase as it will allow you to test the pH of the water as well as calcium additives that are often needed in tanks where there are live rocks.