Saltwater Aquarium : What is it?
| Saltwater aquariums, also called marine aquariums, imitate marine or ocean environments and house various marine plants and animals. They contain water with a salt level between 30 to 40 parts per thousand (PPT), the same level as natural seawater. Basic saltwater systems include a transparent tank, filtration system, skimmers, and hood lighting. All components are made of coated material to prevent corrosion from the saltwater. They can also contain live rock, which are covered with healthy algae and support smaller forms of marine life. Saltwater aquariums are considered more challenging than freshwater aquariums because they require more maintenance, equipment and water changes. |
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Kinds of Saltwater Aquariums include the following: |
Fish only (FO) tanks
Fish only tanks contain only saltwater fish and some aquatic plants.
They require more frequent water changes to eliminate accumulated nitrates, which can inhibit growth and affect the immune system of the fish.
They need constant monitoring of pH, ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels.
They usually contain only one of each species, because similar fish can get aggressive.
Fish only with live rock (FOWLR) tanks
FOWLR tanks contain live rock, which provide natural filtration against biological contaminants like bacteria and viruses.
They require more intense lighting to stimulate algae growth on the live rock.
The creatures living on the live rock assist in the nitrogen cycle, so there is less accumulation and less frequent water replacement.
Reef tanks
Reef tanks contain mostly live rock, corals, anemones, and invertebrates.
They are set up only by highly experienced aquarists because they are very hard and expensive to maintain.
They require very intense lighting to encourage coral growth, regular water supplements, deionized water, powerful filtration systems, and daily monitoring. |
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Tank material: Choose an acrylic tank if you want a large aquarium. Acrylic is lighter, clearer, and easier to clean than glass. However, glass is more heat-resistant and may be a better choice for smaller tanks, since they heat up faster than large tanks.
Live rock: Make sure the amount of live rock is appropriate for the size of the tank. The recommended proportion is one to two pounds of rock per gallon. Get live rock with a healthy growth of beneficial algae, such as coralline. Fiji rock is usually the best type, but also the most expensive. |
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