Have you ever seen salt water fish tanks that are so beautiful in their own right and are so large they make you feel as though they have transported you into an underwater wonderland?

For most people looking into the inside of a clear glass salt water fish tank is as close as they will ever come to the beautiful wonders that are lurking beneath the ocean’s surface. And for this reason a salt water fish tank or aquarium is as close to the natural habitat of its inhabitants as possible is a joy unto itself.

Maintaining and owning salt water fish tanks is not as easy as just dropping a rock into an aquarium and thinking or allowing things to automatically grow on it. However, there is a must follow process to ensure optimal benefits for both the large salt water fish tanks and the live rocks.

It is very simple process to cure live rock before placing it into your new salt water fish tank, but this is an important step that must be taken in order to prevent a build up of ammonia in the tank which could negatively affect the fish.

In order to cure live rock you first need to select a plastic container that is big enough to hold the amount of live rock you will be using, then fill it with water. Place a heater and water pump in the ‘tank’ for optimal temperature and circulation.

Once your water has reached the correct temperature it’s time to remove the heater, pump and half of the water from your bucket. Now we need to pre-clean the rock in the bucket of saltwater by swishing it around and remove any lose organisms or debris and place it in the prepared water in your salt water fish tank.

After the pre-cleaning of your rock, you need to consistently check the ammonia in the tank and the process is done when the water in which your new cleaned rock resides in is at zero and no longer giving off any unpleasant odors.

At this time it is safe to place the rock in your aquarium and allow Mother Nature’s perfect filtering system to work for you.

All this great information is just basic information to get you started setting up your salt water aquariums.

If you are in need of detailed information on salt water aquariums and tropical fish secrets then this you need to read. If you are serious about starting and maintaining your own Salt Water Aquarium you want to make sure you have the right knowledge and information. If you don’t want to waste money purchasing expensive tropical fish just to see them die the next week, then you want to try this book of tropical fish secrets.

If you already have salt water aquariums and your fish are dying then this is for you as well. Learn new secrets you may not already know!

You also receive for *FREE* right now is ‘How to Breed Tropical Fish’ and ‘Freshwater Tropical Fish Profiles: 50 of Your Favorites’!!! And I have no idea how long these freebies are going to last!

Jennifer Roberts is an aquarium enthusiast whether salt water or fresh water aquariums she has been around them her whole life and they have been a staple in her house as long as she can remember.

Author: Jen Roberts
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger

As compared to a freshwater fish tank a salt water fish tank is much more difficult to care for, there is no denying that. But, that doesn’t mean it has to be an uphill battle. If you have wanted a saltwater aquarium but were hesitating about the additional work or maintenance it may require you will want to read this article. Specifically, in this article we will discuss the basic steps involved in the set up, maintenance and choosing of saltwater fish and livestock for your aquarium.

First, you will need to decide which of the two basic salt water fish tank setups you want. The two main types are the fish only set up and the reef set up. The fish only set up can also house other species such as coral and clam but will not include any plant life. If you are worried about the cost or care of your fish tank than the fish only tank is probably the way to go. If on the other hand you are up for a challenge and have a little more money and time on your hands than the reef tank is a wonderful choice but you need to be prepared for the extra time and expense it will cost with this set up.

After you have chosen your salt water fish tank set up and the species of fish you will need to know how to maintain your new tank. Listed below are some tips that will help you to have a successful and healthy aquarium.

• Monitor and check the ammonia and nitrate levels of your fish tank at least every 6 weeks. After about 6 weeks the water will have cycled enough that it will start showing signs of excess ammonia and nitrate, this means it is time to change the water.
• Monitor the pH level in your tank on a weekly basis. In addition to monitoring the ammonia and nitrate levels, you will need to make sure the pH is at the proper level as well. Even minor differences in pH levels can be detrimental to your fish and other marine life.
• Monitor the water in your salt water fish tank. You should check water levels in your tank every couple of days as it is normal for water to evaporate from the tank over time.
• Clean the take of any algae. Over time algae will naturally build up in your tank, if you do not clean the algae from the tank it will quickly take over the tank and start suffocating the livestock. It’s a good idea to clean your fish tank at least every two weeks.

As you can see although there are a lot of steps involved with caring for and setting up a salt water fish tank if you keep the above tips in mind you can easily have a healthy aquarium for all your friends to admire.

You can get a lot more detailed information on creating a perfect marine fish tank from my favorite saltwater aquarium site here: http://www.saltwater-aquarium-secrets.com/.

Author: Cris M. Stanford
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

A large salt water fish tank intimately resembles the environment found in oceans that supports the salt water fish as against fresh water fish. It is not easy to upkeep the salt water fish in a large salt water fish tank. This is because salt water fish, unlike the fresh water fish, are less tolerant to fluctuations that may happen quickly in the enclosed space of the large salt water fish tank. It is important that the large fish water fish tank is able to function on a self-supporting basis, because every element in the large water fish tank is dependent on every other element for sustaining itself in a stable manner. This imply that salt water fish that are kept in an environment such as the large salt water fish tank is a balancing act that involves maintaining specific parameters to ensure that the entire eco system remains stable.

Salt Water Fish Prefers A Large Salt Water Fish Tank, Or A Small Salt Water Fish Tank?

It actually does not matter whether you choose a large salt water fish tank or a small salt water fish tank. The most important factor is that you actually choose a suitable fish tank that is of a right size for your salt water fish, and more importantly, create a stable environment for the salt water fish.

You need to remember that our ocean environment is typically quite stable, which is exactly what the salt water fish needs. It is important that you create this stable environment within the large salt water fish tank. An example is to not to allow a sudden drop or rise of the temperature within the salt water fish tank. Temperatures within the large salt water fish tank must either rise or fall slowly – just like the ocean. Otherwise, a sudden change of temperature in your fish tank will almost likely cause your salt water fish to fall ill.

There are other factors, you need to consider of having a salt water fish tank. An example if the pH level. The pH level should be 8.2. The nitrates should be

Tangopang is the author and owner of [http://www.fishtanksupplieshome.com] For more information on Saltwater Aquariums visit Fish Tank Supplies Home [http://www.fishtanksupplieshome.com]

Author: Tango Pang
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Tropical Fish Guide

A tropical fish guide will help you to select the right fish for your aquarium. If you are a beginner you will want to start with fish that are easy to maintain. It is very important to balance your fish tank and that means having fish that like to swim at different levels of the tank as well as those who are good at sharing enclosed spaces with other species. There are some types of fish that are too territorial to share a fish tank and others that may look on their cohabitates as food!

Keeping tropical fish healthy can be better achieved if you educate yourself about their species, their favorite foods, natural habitats etc. For example members of the family chaetodontidae or butterfly fishes and angel fishes as they are more commonly known love to spend their days picking at coral. The live on or near the coral reef so it is best to try and replicate this in the fish tank. Pay attention to what the tropical fish guide advises you to do when caring for these beautiful fish. For example angelfishes are territorial and will fight with members of their own species possibly more often than with other species of fish.

A tropical fish guide will help in other ways as well. It will provide details of that particular species including how big in size they become when fully grown. This will have an impact on balancing your aquarium. The guide will also help you with advice on how to feed certain species, what types of diseases they are more prone to and the warning signs you should watch out for in case something is amiss.

When you have allowed your salt water fish tank to settle and are ready to populate it, consult a tropical fish guide before you go to the aquatic store. If you know which species you want to buy it will help cut down on the often bewildering choice available at the store. Also you will know in advance whether the species you have chosen are compatible. You will know that a clown fish can share with a sea anemone whereas most other fish can’t. Establishing a list of the varieties of fish you want to populate your tank is a great idea as is having mixture of those that prefer to live in the top water, the middle and on the bottom of the tank.

Be careful when it comes to buying your fish. If you are an amateur and don’t know the dealer, bring an experienced fish owner with you. Use common sense and the knowledge gained from your tropical fish guide to pick out the fish. Don’t buy from a store with dirty tanks or dead fish floating in the water. Don’t get emotionally involved either. Don’t make the mistake of buying fish with broken or damaged fins just because they remind you of Nemo.

The tropical fish identification guide will help you to spot good fish. Yes it is not as good as having an expert in person but it is better than nothing. Don’t buy your fish all at the same time. It is a good idea to buy them in batches at least ten days apart so that the first lot can settle in before you add more into the fish tank. Buying them in batches means that the fish shouldn’t get together and pick on one newcomer and is less likely to lead to aggression. As the tropical fish guide will warn you, some species would pick a fight with a paper bag and are best left out of the fish tank altogether. A Humbug Damsel for example will often adopt a particular piece of coral or rock and can become aggressive towards other species.

Some tropical fish have sharp bony scalpels such as those belonging to the Surgeons, Tangs and Unicorn fishes of the family Acanthuridae. Although they can inflict wounds, they often become tame in captivity and have been known to accept food from your hand. But as your tropical fish guide will advise you this is not a good habit to get into.

Trigger fishes are another species of tropical fish that can cause problems in adulthood when they can become aggressive. These fishes have two dorsal fins and are found in the pacific or Indian oceans. They have sharp teeth so be careful when feeding. A lovely looking fish is the Moorish Idol. You will have seen this one in tropical fish pictures. It is a very distinctive black and yellow fish and would make a beautiful addition to your salt water fish tank but it is not suitable for a beginner. They can be difficult to feed and may die if you have little or no experience in looking after fish. Learn to look after easier fish first before introducing this one to your tank. Pay attention to the advice given in the tropical fish guide.

Custom Fish Tanks

Custom fish tanks come in all shapes and sizes and in different materials. They are usually designed to fit a specific space in your home or office. Some people like to put an aquarium into a wall space while others just like unseal shapes. Custom aquariums are by definition more expensive than the fish tank you buy from your local pet store. You will often see them in fancy offices or stores where the owners like to amuse their customers while they are waiting to be served.

Regardless of whether you are buying custom fish tanks or the regular mass produced ones, the same rules about being responsible fish owners apply. In their natural environment fish are well developed to look after themselves. Obviously they don’t survive every threat but they have self preservation instincts to act on. When they are hungry they hunt down food and when they are under threat they seek shelter. Some species thrive in a shoal environment and will die from loneliness if placed in an aquarium on their own. Others are quite happy to mix with other species of fish provided of course they are not sharks or other predators.

Whether you set up custom freshwater fish tanks or a marine aquarium you are taking responsibility away from the fish and imposing it on yourself. You become responsible for their food, water, oxygen levels and basic survival. You have to educate yourself about the species of fish you put in your fish tank and be careful not to put those that are known to be aggressive in with those that cannot defend themselves. It also makes a lot of sense not to put large fish that eat the smaller fish in the same tank. Obviously you would keep freshwater fish separate to those that live in salt water. You could always have two custom aquariums, one for each type although if you are a beginner you should learn how to manage one type before trying both.

If you decide to install custom fish tanks, be careful to put them somewhere that will tolerate water spillages as these are common. You need an electric socket nearby for the filter system and/or lights. It also helps to be relatively near a source of water. You do not want to put the fish tank on a window sill as you cannot properly control the temperature of the water if it is subject to direct sunlight.

As we mentioned you have to control the quality of the water in custom fish tanks. Fish in the wild do not need to worry about being surrounded by their own waste products as the sheer volume of water takes care of any issues. This is not the case in the aquarium. The fish are dependent on waste products being removed either by natural filtration devices or mechanical or a mixture of both. If you go on vacation it is very important that you leave your fish in capable hands as they will not survive in dirty water for long. The hardness of your water supply will be a factor in the quality of water in the first tank. There are commercial kits available to test this for you.

You will need to invest in custom fish tank stands. Do not try to make one at home. You should buy the stand at the same time as you order the tank. An aquarium will get very heavy given the quantity of water it contains and it needs to be kept level at all times. You will also need a custom made hood as some fish are very good jumpers and will not survive for long periods outside water. It is best to prevent them being able to leave the tank in the first place.

You will need to set up your custom fish tank before you buy the fish. Usually you would put a layer of gravel at the bottom of the tank. This serves a number of purposes. It provides a place for some species of fish to bury themselves just as they do in the wild. It allows for the growth of bacteria organisms whose job it is to remove the nitrates and other waste materials from the water. It also provides a base for filters so don’t buy the very fine gravel as it will block the filters. You should purchase the gravel from the aquatic dealer as you do not want to upset the quality of the water by introducing the wrong elements. Some people will tell you to buy coral sand. This is perfect for a saltwater fish but not for custom freshwater fish tanks.

I would not be in a hurry to add live plants to your custom fish tanks. You will have a lot to look after in the first couple of years of owning your fish particularly if you are new to this. Looking after live plants as well may be too much. You can always add them at a later date and do with artificial plants for now. You can buy decorations such as rocks and other formations from the aquatic center. These will not only make your custom fish tanks look pretty but could provide shelter and homes for your new fish.

Salt Water Fish Tanks

There are various salt water fish tanks for sale so when buying one don’t make the mistake of buying too small a tank. Marine fish are used to having plenty of space and deep water so will not adapt well to a small space.  You really don’t want a tank smaller than one capable of carrying 20 gallons of water.  It should be made of glass and not aluminum or other metals that will corrode when in contact with the sodium in the water.  People forget that this advice also includes the lid.  A metal lid will lead to condensation forming which eventually drips back into the tank and could prove toxic to your new inhabitants.

Salt water fish tanks can be filled with seawater but it is safer to use a mixture made from a saltwater mix. Always follow the instructions especially in relation to measurements as the PH of the water is very important. You should use a plastic and not metal bowl for mixing.  The problem with seawater is that the water lying near the shore can be polluted with contaminants that don’t harm the fish in large quantities of water i.e. the open sea but have an effect when put into a small bowl.  You will need to test the water with a hydrometer which will test the gravity of the water.  You can add more salt to increase the gravity and freshwater to lower it.

You will need to decide what type of filtering system you are going to use in salt water fish tanks.  Some people use the natural method.  They buy live corals and sponges to help clean the water in addition to allowing algae to grow in the tank.  If you are going to rely on natural cleaning then don’t use a gravel base or if you do, only use a thin layer.   Most people prefer to use a compromise which is a semi natural system. It combines the use of a filtering system with the natural cleaners to get optimum results.

If you are putting a filter into salt water fish tanks you have to put a deep layer of base material in as well. It is standard practice to put in crushed shells first followed by a layer of finer coral sand and topped up with a layer of silica sand.  There are certain species of fish that love to bury themselves in the base.  These include the Wrasses.

You can add rocks or dead coral for decoration so long as you have cleaned them correctly.  The easiest method is to wash them using household bleach and then rinse them until the bleach smell has disappeared.  Some fish like to hide behind coral and sleep under it so it is a nice addition to salt water fish tanks.  Others owners will put in live coral as a species in its own right. You may find that you have to replace it regularly depending on the fish species you put into the tank as some eat it.

The only green food you are likely to see in a marine aquarium is algae. Unlike with freshwater fish tanks, it is a good thing in a saltwater environment as it helps to purify the water and also provides a food source but it should be kept under control. You do not want it covering the whole tank.   Salt water aquariums have to settle just like the freshwater variety.  This means that the water must retain a steady ph level of about 8.3 depending on the salt mix you used.  You also need to check the nitrates level when starting salt water fish tanks.  If you add the fish too early you will kill them as the nitrate level will be too high.  It will gradually reduce over time.  You can speed up this process in different ways but it might just be worth waiting for it to happen. If you don’t have the patience you can try adding some base medium from an established tank and rechecking the nitrates level.

It doesn’t matter whether you buy custom salt water fish tanks or not, the process of setting one up does take time and as you will be responsible for the living creatures in your new aquarium, it is worth doing it properly.

When choosing your fish keep in mind that you are buying juveniles which can mean that they grow much bigger.  Be fair to the new occupants and give them plenty of space.  You can always add more fish when the first lot has settled in. Take advice if you have never purchased fish before.  Some species are lovely to look at but can be dangerous to their neighbors.   Don’t think about using your first salt water fish tanks for breeding.  Some species do breed in captivity but if this is your first marine aquarium you may not be ready for that experience just yet.