what tank will you choose for your saltwater aquarium

Saltwater Aquarium setup: Choosing the right tank

There are some factors involved when choosing the type of saltwater aquarium setup. Some major factors include what type of species do you want to stock, how much space do you have available, what is your spending power? First goal is to buy a saltwater aquarium setup you can afford and will fit into your lifestyle and environment.

Your saltwater fish and other creatures are your first priority for your aquarium. The invertebrates and fish which will be in your tank require room to swim and grow but also need an environment where there is plenty of oxygen in order to survive. This is determined from the size of your tank. So when you finally opt for the freshwater aquarium set up you want then remember this and give your fish a chance to grow.

One important aspect of your saltwater aquarium setup is oxygen. The surface area of your tank is the major contributing factor to the amount of oxygen it holds. This equates to the area of water exposed to the atmosphere at the top of the tank. As oxygen transfers to your saltwater aquarium from the surface of the tank the greater that area is means there is more chance of oxygen transferring from the air into the water.

As well as taking in oxygen a large surface area for your saltwater aquarium also allows toxic gases like carbon dioxide to escape. The aquarium will be much healthier the more this process is allowed to develop. Another factor which determines the amount of oxygen in the water is temperature. The cooler the water the higher the oxygen content will be in general.

With warmer water tropical fish with temperatures above 75 degrees less oxygen is available. This is why it is most important to have a larger surface area for your saltwater aquarium or else you may have to stock smaller or less marine animals. The bigger the tank you can acquire makes it much better for your marine life.

Determining your requirements needs thought as saltwater aquariums come in all shapes and sizes? It is not the size or volume of the tank which determines its surface area but the shape. Because of its shape a tank can have less surface area even though it holds a larger volume. For the gas cycle tall narrow aquariums do mot have the ideal area. The exchange of gas will be much better in a short wide tank.

With this in mind and your aquarium tank chosen, its time to move on to the inhabitants. The amount of marine inhabitants for your tank is directly determined from the size of tank you have purchased. One of the worst problems with a saltwater aquarium setup for beginners is overcrowding the tank. Too many inhabitants in your aquarium can overload and effect filtrating efficiency. Stressed fish living in cramped conditions is on of the major causes of fish death, diseases and illness.

You should start slowly when stocking up with fish. Introduce only a small amount at a time. First calculate how many gallons of water your aquarium holds. In the beginning and up to six months for every four gallon of water introduce one inch of fish. 15 fish would be the amount of fish in a sixty gallon saltwater aquarium. After the six months you can increase the amount of fish and have one inch of fish for every two gallons.

A 60 gallon tank example would be:-

Two 1-inch clownfish
One 1-inch Beau Gregory’s
Two 3-inch queen angel
Two 1- inch gobies
Two 1-inch blennies
One 2-inch Tang (surgeonfish)

Or any variables of these with your own favourite choices. After the six month period you can increase you fish to 30.

You may have to adjust the amount of fish you keep in you tank because when they grow they will require more space. Not only is the fish size an issue but also the shape. For heavier fish you should have a lower amount of fish in the aquarium.

Development of your saltwater aquarium takes time and is not an instant product. They do cost money and cutting corners is not the answer. It does not matter how much time and effort you put into your tank eventually you will have problems that need solving. Make sure you have the correct aquarium from the start because it can be a little disheartening if you choose wrongly and then have to buy another one. Think before you buy, a small tank at the beginning is probably not the best idea. Wait until you can afford at least a 30 gallon tank or bigger before investing in your saltwater aquarium.

You can choose from the vast array of saltwater aquariums in either acrylic or glass? Depending on choice it could be a reef tank already adapted for all your accessories? Choosing correctly is up to you so get advice. One good starting point is silicon sealed glass tanks. They come in all types of shape whether they are a standard rectangle, hexagonal or octagonal. Glass tanks are less prone to scratching than an acrylic tank although the acrylic aquarium is becoming more and more popular.

Acrylic tanks are much lighter than there glass equivalent. Large glass tanks are very heavy and hard to move. These tanks have quite thick glass. A good option is a glass tank with a plastic frame. Glass types are tempered which is stronger or shatter proof plated glass.

The popular option is an acrylic saltwater aquarium setup with moulded seems which are more transparent. One fault is that your view at the corners is distorted. The acrylic tanks on the market even outdo the glass variety in the amount of different shapes and sizes you can have. The downsides are they cost more and scratch easily. The things to watch for to avoid scratches is be careful with decorations and when removing algae. The good news is that scratches can be removed using special kits.

Whichever type of aquarium you purchase the priority is the health of your fish. You need time to look after it properly and also enough cash to keep it in good order and properly maintained. One up and running you will have hours of relaxation watching your new fishy pals cavorting in the water. You will obtain much pleasure and enjoyment out of your saltwater aquarium