How to Buy Salt Water for a Fish Tank

Salt water fish tanks require more maintenance than fresh water models. You just can't go to the beach and fill your tank with water. For your fish to thrive, follow these steps when you are ready to buy saltwater for your tank.

Instructions

    • 1

      Search online or in your city's yellow pages for specialty fish stores. A pet store will work, but you must make sure it carries a full line of salt water for fish tanks and you're bound to get everything you need at a shop that specializes in fish.

    • 2

      Write down your fish tank size, how many fish you own or plan to buy and how long your tank has been set up. Also note the type of fish you have in the tank and their approximate age. All this information is extremely important in helping the fish experts determine what type and how much of the supplies you'll need. Fish are very delicate and the wrong kind of water balance will kill them.

    • 3

      Ask an employee who specializes on working with fish which type of salt water would work best for your tank and your fish. You can buy pre-mixed salt water or sea salt in a bag and mix it yourself. Take care when mixing your own solution as too much salt with offset the balance of the tank and could kill your fish. If you're not sure, don't guess--buy the pre-mixed stuff.

    • 4

      Go home and slowly and gradually add the salt water mix or sea salt to your tank. Enjoy your salt water fish tank.