How to Landscape a Saltwater Aquarium

Saltwater aquariums, like fresh water aquariums, need landscaping in order to be aesthetically pleasing. However, landscaping in a saltwater aquarium serves a much more important purpose. The live rock that makes up the base of most marine aquarium tanks actually helps to remove harmful toxins from the water as well as provide shelter for some fish. Ensuring that your saltwater tank is landscaped correctly will go a long way in ensuring that your fish and other animals remain happy and healthy as well as reduce the level of maintenance required on on the tank.

Things You'll Need

  • Sand
  • Llive rock
  • Live coral
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place a layer of sand in the bottom of the tank. This is the first layer of landscaping and provides mechanical and biological filtration as well as releasing beneficial minerals back into the water. Many saltwater enthusiasts use aragonite sand as the particles are fine, which reduces the chances that the fish will harm themselves and it keeps the pH of the water up. However, aragonite sand can be more expensive than other types of sand. Play sand it also an acceptable substrate. Rinse the sand thoroughly under normal tap water until the rinse water runs clear. Place the rinsed sand into the bottom of the tank until you have a uniform depth of a few inches.

    • 2

      Place live rock into the tank. Despite the name, live rock isn't really a living creature. The plants and animals attached to the rock are, however. Live rock not only offers your fish a place to hide but helps to filter the water via the invertebrates that live on the rocks. Place the rocks along the bottom of the tank, leaving at least 2 to 3 inches in between them. This will allow for the water to circulate between the rocks and provide a healthier environment for residents of the rocks.

    • 3

      Create a hiding place for your fish. Some marine fish are naturally shy or prefer to live in less illuminated areas than others. The easiest way to do this is to add a long, flat piece of rock across two of your living rocks. The cave shouldn't be completely enclosed on either side, once again to allow good water circulation around all of the rocks.

    • 4

      Add live coral. Until now, most of the elements you have introduced to your tank have been relatively drab in color. A great way to add color to your saltwater tank is to add live coral. Unlike live rock, live coral is actually alive and will grow. The coral will also help filter the water like the live rock and sand. Place the corals along the bottom of the tank, keeping in mind to leave space between them as well as the live rocks.