How to Make a Brackish Water Tank

A brackish water tank has a higher salt concentration than fresh water but lower than a marine water tank. Brackish water has a specific gravity between 1.006 and 1.015. Brackish water tanks emulate natural brackish environments such as estuaries, swamps and mangrove forests. Brackish water tanks with hardy brackish fish, such as Archer Fish and Mono Argentus, are easy to care for as long as water quality and salt concentration levels are regularly monitored.

Things You'll Need

  • 1 gallon plastic bucket
  • Dechlorinator
  • Marine salt
  • Hydrometer
  • Water tank
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Instructions

    • 1

      Rinse clean a one gallon plastic bucket. Fill the bucket with clean, fresh water. Add dechlorinator, according to the dosage instructions on the dechlorinator bottle.

    • 2

      Decide the type of fish you want to keep. Certain species require a precise specific gravity to live. Green Spotted Puffers, for example, require a specific gravity range between 1.010 and 1.020.

    • 3

      Mix one to two tablespoons of marine salt into the 1 gallon bucket to attain a specific gravity between 1.005 and 1.010. Mix three to five tablespoons for a specific gravity ranging between 1.010 and 1.020. Place a hydrometer in the water to check the exact salt concentration. Add more salt or water as needed to achieve the desired salinity.

    • 4

      Pour the solution into your water tank. Repeat the mixing process as many times as needed to fill your water tank to your desired water level.