The number one mistake people make when buying a salt water fish tank is to buy one that is too small. Marine fish are used to a lot of space and deep water so you need to buy as large a tank as possible. Don’t worry about filling the tank with sea water, this is not recommended. You should use one of the commercial preparation packs on sale and make up a solution following the exact instructions.

If you are wondering what fish to populate your salt water fish tanks with, you need to speak to an expert. Just as you wouldn’t keep a cat and a mouse in the same compartment, there are certain fish that do not co-habitate very well. How many fish you buy will depend on the species i.e. what size they will grow to and also whether you are going to breed them or not.

You can safely combine clown fish with sea anemones although the later are fatal to most other fish. Normally any fish that comes close to the sea anemone will be fatally stung and consumed but not the clown fish which appears to be immune to the venom. Some people say that the sea anemone will eat scraps of food dropped by the clown fish but whether this is why the two species can live together is anyone’s guess. Angelfish are beautifully colored but are known to fight with members of their own species although the Black and Gold angelfish is less territorial. Everyone wants to have a sea horse in their marine aquarium but remember that these will require live food.

Salt water fish tanks give you an opportunity to observe these beautiful creatures at close proximity. Do look after them properly and provide them with the correct food but also some coral and other reminders of their old life.

To find what else you may not know about fish keeping, read our salt water aquariums, and other articles!

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Author: Chris Hartpence
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Many people do not get to experience the enjoyment of saltwater tanks because they think all saltwater aquariums are expensive to setup. The article below will help you see that the truth is that you can have a basic salt water aquarium setup without paying a lot of money.

The Tank- The best size would be right around 40 gallons. These tanks are not very expensive but still offer a great size for stability of all chemical and physical water properties. Stick with the standard glass tops and fluorescent lighting that come with the tank.

Aquarium Filters- A good canister filter will easily be able to handle a 40 gallon basic salt water aquarium setup with ease. Or you could even use a larger hang on tank filter which will cost less money and still give you good results

Other Equipment- You will have to get a heater, synthetic salt mix, aragonite gravel a thermometer and a hydrometer to measure salt levels in the water.

Decorations- This is where the money can disappear quickly. Many people use dead coral skeletons which are very expensive for larger pieces and need to be cleaned frequently.

Live rock is another option that also costs a fair amount of money but will do an excellent job of keeping the water quality high and the fish happy so it is worth the extra money.

Some people have used cheaper volcanic rock in their saltwater tanks but it usually shows algae very well and does not provide the bacteria and microscopic life that live rock does.

The Fish- A 40 gallon tank will allow you to keep at least 4-5 small fish. If you choose the right saltwater fish for your salt water fish tank you can stock it very cheaply. Stick with hardy species that do not cost a lot like clown fish, gobies, basslets, blennies and some more docile damsel fish.

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Author: Darin Sewell
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If you are interested in getting a saltwater fish tank, it means you probably want to have a load of lovely tropical fish in your home. But be warned they take more care than a freshwater equivalent. When choosing your new purchase, always buy the biggest tank you can afford assuming you have sufficient space available.

They come in either glass or acrylic but I would always choose the glass saltwater fish tank. It is easier to clean, won’t discolor with age or sunlight and is scratch resistant. People will tell you to choose acrylic as they weigh less but I don’t think that matters. Regardless of what type of marine aquarium you buy you will want to stand it somewhere very secure so that it doesn’t fall over or lean to one side causing a break or leak.

It doesn’t matter whether you buy the glass or acrylic version; never buy your fish at the same time. A saltwater fish tank has to settle before you move the fish into it. This process takes time and should not be rushed. You will need to check your nitrate levels and gravity. Don’t skip these steps as otherwise you will kill the inhabitants of your tank. You will have wasted your money and killed these beautiful creatures at the same time.

You should check your tank on a daily basis and make sure that all the fish are accounted for and looking healthy. If you notice something is wrong i.e. the fish are not behaving as they would normally then you need to check and find out what is causing the problem. The water could be too hot or cold, lacking oxygen or have too many nitrates in it. You may have overfed the fish or starved them. It is important to keep an eye on the inhabitants as it is only your vigilance that keeps them alive.

To find what else you may not know about fish keeping, read our salt water aquariums, and other articles!

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Author: Chris Hartpence
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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If you’re thinking of getting into the fish keeping hobby, the first question that will probably crop up is whether you should get a salt or fresh water tank. Many people have the misconception that both types of tanks are just similar and it doesn’t really matter which you choose. There is actually a lot of difference between the two in terms of cost, upkeep and the knowledge needed for their successful maintenance.

Salt water tanks are a lot more attractive than its fresh water counterpart, but they can be very expensive and hard to maintain. Tropical salt water fish come in very beautiful colors and so do the corals and rocks you can grow in your fish tank. The downside of these tanks is that they demand a lot of time and work. Constant cleaning and maintenance of the tank environment is highly needed to duplicate the conditions in which these creatures thrive at sea. You might need to change water in a salt water tank weekly, which you normally don’t need to with a fresh water aquarium. You also need to do constant check on salt and chemical levels in the tank to ensure that the most favourable living conditions are maintained for your plants and fish.

Even experts in salt water tank keeping attest to the intricacies involved in maintaining them. The cost to do so is a lot more expensive than fresh water tanks. The fish themselves can be quite costly to purchase, although you do get a reward of very beautiful and exotic colors that fresh water fish don’t normally give you. Each salt water fish can cost anywhere between $50 to $100! And unless you are quite confident about your skills in raising them, it would be quite a risk to invest so much in something you haven’t mastered yet.

The most sensible thing to do if you haven’t had any experience in fish tank keeping is to start with the fresh water varieties. They are quite affordable and very easy to maintain. Start with the smaller tanks and move on to bigger ones as you progress. And when you have developed the necessary skills to raise and even breed some fish, you might be ready to give salt water fish keeping a try.

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Author: Andrea Dilea
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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The ocean is the vastest of all the water bodies. It’s the home to millions of species – playful, colorful, savage and awe-inspiring. The array of fish, their colors, playful lives – part mystery and part comprehensible, ignites a desire to have them close at home. The idea of a salt-water fish tank is the solution. The display of diversity and range is what a salt-water fish tank can offer, as it’s a mini ocean. The salt-water environment provides a scope to display a wide assortment of fish whose lives and behavior patterns are intriguing. Angels, Anglers, Basslets, Batfishes, Cardinals, Clowns, and Damsels – the list is endless.

One has to read, interact with aquarium shops, hobbyists and learn a lot before embarking on this hobby. Education and information can ensure that the fish live healthy and longer, saving lots of money.

A few things like the tank size, water salinity and chemical composition, lighting and filtration, fish combination etc. if taken care off, and then one can have an enjoyable experience as an aquarist.

Seawater can be used in the tank if one is living near a sea or special salt available at the aquarium shops can be mixed with fresh water. When you use seawater, make sure the water is unpolluted. Fetching seawater far from ports and harbors is advisable in this regard. Cooking salt is never mixed to fresh water to create marine water for aquariums.

A compatible combination of fish should be chosen for the tank. Surely, you don’t want to have a fish in the tank, which can have the other fish for breakfast. There are lists of compatibility available and the choice of fish should be based on that to avoid aggressive fish killing tender and shy fish, fish unable to adjust to change in habitat, invertebrates getting killed by treatment for saltwater “ich” of fish etc.

There is plenty of literature around, on this hobby. If studied carefully and followed, the aquarist hobby can be an enjoyable one. The sweat involved initially may be salty but the end result will definitely be sweet. The salt-water fish tank would symbolize color and life in your home.

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Author: Roger Donovan
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Having low PH levels in marine tanks can lead to all sorts of problems. Algae can grow, fish can have trouble breathing and get sick to mention a few of them. Knowing how to increase PH of water in tanks with this problem is critical if you want to keep a clean tank with healthy saltwater fish and a PH over 8.0.

Do Not Over Stock Your Aquarium With Fish

Having to many fish in a saltwater fish tank is a almost guaranteed way to reduce the PH levels in your tank. This happens because the fish produce C02 which in high concentrations can bring the PH down. By sticking to the old rule of thumb f one small to medium size fish for every 10 gallons of aquarium volume you should be safe. If you are above this level you may want to consider removing some fish.

Keep The Water Flow Up In Your Tank

Keeping a good flow of water in your salt water tank will help to increase PH levels in marine tanks. Make sure that whatever flow you have causes ripples and surface agitation. These ripples will release C02 and bring oxygen into the water. In saltwater aquariums adequate flow is usually having at least 10 times the amount of tank volume for flow, so a 25 gallon tank would need 250 gallons per hour.

Use The Right Gravel For Saltwater Aquariums

Saltwater tanks need a special kind of gravel called aragonite. This gravel is made from crushed coral or collected from tropical beaches. It will dissolve when the PH starts to decrease and release buffers that will try and increase the PH. While it will not overcome a poorly setup or over stocked tank it works nicely in the right conditions.

Chemicals and Additive Solutions

If the PH levels in marine tanks just cannot be raised you may have to turn to chemicals to help you out. The aquarium market is literally flooded with additives that are designed to increase and maintain PH. If you use this method always have a test kit and start slowly testing as you go until you get the right dose levels down. And test once or twice a week after that to make sure the levels are maintained.

Creating your saltwater aquarium is easy with our Saltwater Aquarium Guide. This illustrated guide will show you step by step how to properly set up and maintain your aquarium. It’s crammed with tips and secrets that you can use to create a stunning marine aquarium! Get it now at http://www.saltwatermethods.com.

Author: Darin Sewell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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The setup of your saltwater fish tank is only the beginning. You may have to make many adjustments to the water, lighting, food, and the items in your saltwater fish tank. One frequent problem many people complain about is algae.

Algae can be green or even brown colored. Diatom or brown algae in a saltwater fish tank is easy to get and will need special attention to remove. Fortunately, there are just a few causes for brown algae problems. Once you’ve identified and removed the source, your problem will be solved.

Brown algae, just like the green algae, need light and a few other ingredients to survive. It could be tank lights or sunlight feeding your algae. The other ingredients are nitrates and silicates that help the growth of brown algae in a saltwater fish tank. Therefore, the first step to get rid of brown algae in a saltwater fish tank is to consider the lighting.

If your tank is placed where sunlight hits it for any length of time, you’ll want to move it to a different location. Also, evaluate to make sure the tank lights aren’t too bright, thus giving the brown algae a good growth environment.

Remove Ingredients

The best way to remove brown algae in a saltwater fish tank is to get rid of the ingredient feeding it. Getting rid of the silicates alone will kill the brown algae. It’s also a good idea to remove high levels of nitrates.

The best way to check your nitrate and silicate levels is to buy a test kit. Adjust your water accordingly, cut down on your lights and the brown algae in a saltwater fish tank should be a problem of the past.

What is the best way to get rid of silicates?

Silicates can enter your saltwater tank through many different ways. They can get in with certain sea salts, through the tap water you use, or enter on the substrate inside your tank.

Since the problem could be coming from any of the above sources, the best thing to do is to remove any sand in the tank unless it actually came from the ocean. Start using only RO/DI water no matter what kind of tank you have. Finally yet importantly, check the salt you use for high silicates.

Follow these simple steps and verything in your tank will not only look better but will be healthier. Your salt water fish will have a clean and happy home.

Cris Stanford is the publisher of www.saltwater-aquarium-secrets.com where you’ll find money saving advice and expert tips on subjects like fighting brown algae in a salt water tank.

Author: Cris Stanford
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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It was probably 4 years old when Santa Claus brought me my very own salt water fish tank. I don’t remember what size it was, but I’m sure it wasn’t very big. The first experience led to a fascination that has become my life long hobby, passion and livelihood.

For those of you that have wanted to get into the hobby, I’m going to explain the “do’s and don’ts” which will help you be successful. Hopefully, I can assist you in avoiding some of the frustrations that you may encounter as you begin in this hobby. The first goal is to find a good salt water fish store.

Here are the first “do’s” to consider: do the background research required and secondly, do consider if you have the time and financial resources to maintain a healthy marine system. The first frustration that you will experience is finding a trusted source of educated advice and quality products. As you start out on what should be a lifetime of enjoyment, it will only become an expensive disaster if you don’t do it properly. This can be avoided by finding the staff of an aquarium store that will take time to teach you the basics.

How do you determine the quality of the store? The best advice I can give you is to find a clean store with no evidence of dead fish. Look for nice clean, clear water but most importantly, look for well-educated employees that exhibit a passion for what they do and are willing to take time to explain any questions or choices that you may have. Remember, you are the customer, and simple mistakes can be expensive.

The aquarium sections of “big box stores” are managed by great people that know very little about the specifics of being successful with salt water aquariums. With the complexity and prices of salt water aquariums and livestock, the choices can be intimidating to beginners. Although they are comparably low maintenance pets, keeping fish, in general, requires some basic knowledge and patience. The sensitivity of salt water marine life can be higher than their freshwater counterparts. When you experience a team of individuals who have a common passion about their business, you will get the same advice no matter what you ask. You can leave with comfort that have done your research well and have made a good decision.

With a trusted source for your aquarium and livestock and some basic knowledge, you can start and adventure with living beauty that will last a lifetime.

Find out more about salt water aquariums at: http://www.aquariumcenterinc.com

Author: Bill Swiderski
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Choosing the between all the various salt water fish tank filtration systems can be confusing to say the least. But, before you choose your specific system, there are a few points you must know no matter which system you choose. Keep in mind filtration is a very important part of your tank, so don’t rush through this step.

In natural habitats, the fish have an ample areas in which to live. In your tank, they are confined to a relatively small quantity of water. In your tank, waste products can quickly build up and spell disaster. That’s where the filter comes in.

Four factors have a huge impact on the success of your tank, and your filtration system. You must have an adequate biological base, the appropriate choice of animals, not over-populate, and don’t over feed. Get one of these factors wrong, and you most likely will have problems with your saltwater tank.

Biological filtration is the most important sector of salt water fish tank filter systems. The biological filters are living organisms within your tank. They consume oxygen and waste material within your tank. It’s not something you can add. They will occur naturally within your saltwater fish tank.

Mechanical Filtration

The second type of filtration for your tank is mechanical filtration. This is where you choose the type of salt water filter system you will use in your new tank.

Mechanical filtration strains the solid particles from your tank water. It will not remove solids trapped by gravel, or other items within your tank. A good mechanical filter traps enough solids to keep your water clear, without becoming clogged frequently.

Smaller openings catch finer particles and are clogged faster than a larger opening. Keep this in mind as you choose your mechanical filtration system.

Types of Mechanical Filters

For years, the corner filter has been the least expensive and most used type of salt water fish tank filtration systems. These clear plastic boxes sit inside the tank. An air stone bubbles air through an airlift tube, which forces water through a bed of filter floss mechanically filtering the water.

Today there are better methods,that don’t take up space, look nicer, and perform well.

Power filters are used by many. You’ll find many styles of power filters. The most common hangs on the back of the tank. A siphon tube pulls water from the tank into the filter box and passes the water though a mechanical filter. An internal pump returns the filtered water into the aquarium. Power filters come in many sizes suited for small to large aquariums

Under-gravel filters work by slowly passing water through the gravel on the bottom, which sits on top of a perforated plate. The water pumped with an airlift, with bubbles air lifting the water in a vertical tube attached to the filter plate. One problem is that the gravel clogs up with waste creating a health risk for your fish.

Sponge filters are an efficient,cheap form of biological filtration. Water is forced through porous foam by air bubbling through an airlift tube. Water flowing though the sponge allows the growth of a colony of beneficial bacteria that neutralizes toxic ammonia.

Chemical Filtration

Chemical filtration removes dissolved wastes from aquarium water. The most popular chemical filtration is the carbon filter method. Your water is filtered through gas activated carbon. The best GAC for filtering water is made from coal and is macro-porous (larger pores).

Cris Stanford is the publisher of www.saltwater-aquarium-secrets.com where you’ll find money saving advice and expert tips on how to set up the perfect salt water fish tank filter systems.

Author: Cris Stanford
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Saltwater fish tanks have their own unique qualities and demands. But, for the reef aquarium lover, it’s well worth the effort.

You’ll get many hours of enjoyment without hassle if you get your salt water fish tank setup correctly. If you miss a few steps, you’re sure to have problems. They may not show up right way, but your fish will suffer in the long run. So please, be patient and follow all the steps in order.

Before You Begin

Do your research before starting your salt water fish tank setup. If you haven’t yet purchased your system, you find many choices available. Don’t hesitate to research and ask questions as you’re making your choices. Each set requires different parts and equipment, but most specialized aquarium stores are more than happy to help you get started.

What basic equipment do you need? You’ll need filters, pumps, heaters, lights, test kits, and sea salt mixtures, and substrate material (maybe something like coral). There’s other optional equipment, but these are the basics.

Once you’ve chosen your system, you’re ready to begin the setup. First you’ll need to clean and level the tank. Then you can begin to arrange your background making sure to leave room for the necessary system pieces that must go into the tank.

Starting the Saltwater Fish Tank Setup and Testing

Once your tank is set, level, and the background is installed, you’re ready to test your new system. Follow directions for your specific saltwater tank precisely. This may take some time, but it’s worth it. Test your system before you put it into your tank. Once that’s done, you can go on to the next step of your salt water fish tank setup.

If you have not already put in your saltwater solution now is a good time to do this. Once your solution is in, turn your tank on, and let it run for around 24 hours. During this test run, you can make changes to the water, if necessary. Just make sure everything is working correctly with no leaks.

Saltwater Aquascaping

Turn off any equipment that may be running. Put aside equipment that may get in the way. You have to siphon out half the water in the tank and save it. After removing some water, arrange your rocks and decorations how you want them. Once you like your design, add the water back into your tank to the proper level.

Next, turn on the system and let it run. Let your tank cycle. After the cycling is complete – and never before – you can add your fish. Make sure to do routine tests and add water as needed.

Second Tank

After you have your first salt water fish tank setup, why you should look into another tank? Well, one thing that is important when adding a lot of different saltwater fish is to have a quarantine tank to observe each fish before they are put in with others.

It’s important to keep you new fish alone for a while to make sure they’re not carrying any diseases. The last thing you want to do is put a new fish who’s unhealthy in with your thriving fish. Once introduced to the tank, disease spread quickly. It’s better to be safe than to lose all your saltwater fish.

Cris Stanford is the publisher of www.saltwater-aquarium-secrets.com where you’ll find money saving advice and expert tips on creating a fantastic salt water fish tank setup.

Author: Cris Stanford
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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