Setting Up a Salt Water Fish Tank

Salt water fish tanks display some of the most colorful and amazing marine life. This type of aquarium is a splendor to behold. They require precise steps to achieve an inhabitable salt water environment. It is very important to properly set up your tank to avoid the unthinkable. Salt water tanks need certain items that must be obtained and several weeks of maintenance prior to introducing your first occupants. Any one willing to spend the money, time and research needed for accurately setting up a salt water fish tank will enjoy it for years to come.

Things You'll Need

  • Tank Tank stand Cover Light Power filter Sand or gravel (Crushed Coral) Hydrometer Heater Thermometer Live rock Salt water or marine salt mix Test kit Fish Power strip Tank cleaning kit
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Decide on a good location. The place you put your aquarium must not be close to any heater and cooling vents, near any windows or outside doors. Salt water fish do not do well in changing temperatures. The finished aquarium will weigh about ten pounds per gallon, so be certain the floor can sustain this. It should also be near a power outlet.

    • 2

      Purchase equipment considered necessary and set up aquarium. Buy a tank with lighted cover, power filter, hydrometer (to check amount of salt in water), sand, live rock and salt water or salt water mix. You will need to get a test kit to check the water for nitrates and ammonia. You could also get a background for the tank or other decorations, if wanted. Place the tank on the stand, add the sand and place the rocks in desired locations. Slowly add the salt water to the tank. Attach the heater and thermometer. Place the power filter in place and cover the tank with the lighted hood.

    • 3

      Cycle the water in your tank. There is no way to speed up this step and it is a very crucial one. Test the water ever few days with the test kit until it reads zero for both ammonia and nitrates for at least three days in a row. Add a few invertebrates (crabs and snails) a few at a time during this period to create the needed bacteria culture. This waiting game could range from three to six weeks. You can spend this time researching the specific breeds of fish you are considering purchasing or talking to other salt water fish enthusiast. Your local fish shop, library, bookstore or Internet can be used for this.

    • 4

      Purchase your salt water fish. Stock your aquarium with hardy breeds of fish to begin. This could be clownfish, cardinals or gobies. You could also add some shrimp and starfish. Try to not overcrowd them and stick to one fish per ten gallons of water. Do not add several fish at a time to permit the filtering system to adjust.

    • 5

      Maintain the tank regularly. You will have to keep an eye on the temperature and water condition often. The salt water fish tank should be cleaned and have a twenty percent water change monthly. Allow the salt water to stand for a couple days prior to adding it to the tank. You could even do lesser weekly water changes instead of monthly ones.