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Where do I start?
Are you dreaming of owning a saltwater aquarium but feel overwhelmed with the research and work necessary to get started?
Setting up a marine tank is not always easy, but learning about creating a healthy ecosystem for fish, critters and corals can be rewarding.
With our help, proper planning, preparation and patience, you will have an enjoyable experience starting your unique reef tank.
Over the next few blog posts we will share valuable tips to help make setting up your aquarium simple and stress-free. Start here to discover some important steps when considering setting up a new life-filled wonderland in your home!
What Size?
When selecting a tank, there are many factors to consider. Size, shape, and material are all important variables when choosing the right tank for your needs.
Marine aquarists often prefer larger tanks because they provide more swim space, a stable environment, and increased water quality.
You should also consider whether you want one with an integrated filtration system such as a sump or if a canister filter is what you need for added mechanical/chemical filtration.
Taking the time to weigh all options thoroughly is essential for setting up a successful marine aquarium that will last for years!
Your sump should be large enough to house all your husbandry equipment such as your skimmer, heater, bio balls and filter socks.
We will go into more detail regarding sumps in our next blog.
What layout?
Setting up a marine tank can be both enjoyable and challenging. It is important to carefully consider the kind of layout you wish to use. Think about which colours, textures, and shapes would look best in the environment, and choose rock layouts that will fit in with the overall design of your tank. Background decorations can also be useful for hiding any unwanted items on view. When selecting you’re display you can choose between live rock or imitation rock which is now more readily available.
Think about designing your rock work before you fill your tank and how you would like your hiding areas, swim throughs and coral displays.
With careful selection and positioning of your décor, you can turn a simple tank into an unforgettable beautiful seascape.
What Stock?
Adding fish and other marine life to a tank is an exciting part, provided you have done all the necessary preparation. It would be best to research which fish and coral are compatible with each other so they can co-exist peacefully.
Furthermore, the environment should be properly matured to ensure the safety of the inhabitants and water tests are imperative before introducing your new house mates. For accuracy we recommend using digital Hanna Checkers.
Once this has been achieved, adding your livestock can be educational and enjoyable. Remember to add them in small batches so as not to cause any stress or disruption to existing species in the environment. With patience and thoughtful attention, you can create a beautiful, vibrant ecosystem that will surely be enjoyed for years to come.
Setting up a marine tank is an exciting process. Still, the most important part is deciding which fish and other marine animals to add. There are many options, from Fish only to Corals and Clown Anemones to Sea Horses.
When stocking your tank, it is important to consider the compatibility of the tank’s inhabitants, their mature size, and the footprint they’ll take up, both in terms of tank capacity and bioload. Finding the right balance can take some trial and error.
Still, the options are practically endless with the wide array of fish and marine invertebrates available!
Next time we go more into detail about sump set ups!