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Setting up a marine tank

First off you will need to collect a bit of equipment here is a list I have written up of what equipment you will need

•              The tank of course

•              Filter

•              Heater

•              Power head

•              Hydrometer

•              Lights (not necessary if u have a fish only aquarium but does show the fishes colours better if you have them)

•              Salt (never use normal table salt always use specially made salt that you can buy from  you local pet supplier)

•              Protein skimmer (not necessary if setting up a nano)

•              Bucket (for water changes)

•              Thermometer

•              Air pumps and diffusers

•              Test kit

•              Live rock (optional)

Now I have told you what equipment you will need I will tell you what each bit of equipment does and then I will tell you how to set up your marine tank.

Tank

Now days you can get many different shapes when you buy an aquarium, I recommend a rectangle aquarium as it is much easier to look after but you can also get round, hexagonal and many other shaped aquariums. Aquariums can come in 2 different materials you can get glass and acrylic although glass is much heavier it doesn’t scratch as much as acrylic. Acrylic can be moulded in to many different shapes the advantages of acrylic are that it is virtually crack resistant. When choosing you aquarium go for the biggest size you can accommodate and afford. As this will give you more choice in fish and will be easier to look after as there is a bigger amount of water so problems won’t spread so quickly.

Filter

You can get filters in many different types such as an canister filter, box filter, trickle filter, under gravel filters and foam or sponge filters these filters also come in many different powers, as some filters will not go on a certain aquarium as it either doesn’t pump enough water per hour or it pumps to much water per hour it will also depend on the amount of money you are will to spend on a filter as some of these filters can cost over $100 e.g. canister filter.

Heater

A heater is a very important piece of equipment in a marine tank as most marine fish and invertebrates like to live at a temperature of 25-29 degrees Celsius (77-85 faren height)

You can buy heaters in many different wattages ranging from as low as 25 watt to as high as 300 watt.

Power head

A power head is very important as most marine fish do not live in water that is very still the water is constantly moving so when you have a power head it creates this affect the power head should pump at least five times the size of your aquarium.

Hydrometer

A hydrometer is used to measure the specific gravity in your water you can buy three different types of hydrometers there is a refractor, floating hydrometer or a digital hydrometer

The refractor is probably the most accurate one to measure you specific gravity with but they can be quite expensive. Floating hydrometers are very cheap and are mostly correct. But your best option is still the refractor.

Lights

Lights can come in many different sizes, colours and brands lights are essential if you plan on keeping corals and live rock and lights will also show off you fishes colours better than not having any lights.

Salt

This is the most important thing you need to start a marine aquarium. They can come in many different sizes you are better off buying the biggest size you can afford, as you will need it at every water change.  

Protein skimmer

A protein skimmer isn’t necessary but most aquarist prefer to have it what they do is remove dissolved organic materials from the water. Since the build up of organic materials can have an adverse effect on aquatic organisms.

Bucket

This is used for you guessed it water changes it is pretty much self explained the only thing I will tell u is to either use a clear or white bucket as these have lest chance of leaking toxins into your fishes water.

Thermometer

This is used to find out what temperature your tank is at. They come in many different types there are glass thermometers stick on thermometers never use a thermometer that has mercury in it in a marine tank as it could break and leak into the aquarium.

Air pumps and diffusers

 In the wild marine fish and invertebrates need oxygen and by have an air pump and a diffuser you are giving the fish the oxygen they need. When buying your air pump buy a decent one they may be a bit more expensive but they will have less chance of failing on you

Test kit

A test kit is essential when setting up any type of aquarium you are better off buying a test kit that will let you test for ph, nitrite, nitrate and ammonia as these are the main problems that cause your fish to become sick and even die.

Live rock

Live rock is beneficial in many ways as it help cycle your tank and is also a very nice decoration for any marine tank live rock comes in many different types such as Fuji live rock and many others.

Setting up your marine tank

Ok now we are finally ready to set up our first marine tank I will do it step by step so you can follow the instructions very easy

  1)      First off you will have to collect all of your equipment so that you can easily put your aquarium together

2)      Wash the substrate thoroughly and then put substrate into aquarium

3) Now fill the tank up with water so that it is half full and then check for any leak

4) Now position filter, heater, air pump and diffuser and power head and make sure that they are firmly in place

5) Now that you have done that you can now add your decorations such as live rock and ornaments.

6) Now you can fill the tank up the rest of the way and then check if all of the equipment is working

7) Now you can add the amount of salt to your aquarium that is needed

Now that you have set up your tank turn the filter on and leave it on so that it will dissolve the salt properly. Set your heater to the correct temperature once that you have done that it will take about 6 weeks for your tank to cycle witch means you cant put any fish in until that has finished. When adding fish to your aquarium it is best to never add more then five because if you do it could cause an ammonia strike. While your tank is cycling it is best that you choose the fish that you want and then research them. After 24 hours you should check your specific gravity and then adjust the specific gravity by either adding additional salt or additional tap water. Check your water stats every week during the time your tank is cycling. After your tank has cycled and you have on more check over your equipment. Only then can you add fish.

Choosing your fish

When choosing your fish always check the tank that they are in and if there is any dead or sick looking fish don’t buy your fish from that tank. Also before going to your local pet supplier always decide on what fish you want and if they will be compatible together and always research your fish before you buy them

Adding corals

When adding corals make sure you tank is matured never add corals until your tank has been set up for at least 4 months as corals are living invertebrates not plants as some people may think so they require foods. Corals are arranged in groups e.g. brain corals. There are many species of brain corals. 

Selecting marine invertebrates

When selecting your marine invertebrates select carefully as many fish eat marine invertebrates. Invertebrates make a fantastic addition to a marine aquarium. Invertebrates are far more sensitive then fish when it comes to water quality. A disadvantage of keeping invertebrates is that they are very sensitive to the medications you usually use to treat your fish with so if you have to treat you fish either move it to a different aquarium or move the invertebrates to a different aquarium. When purchasing your marine invertebrates, you must follow the same procedure as if you where purchasing a fish. When selecting healthy invertebrates it is much harder to tell if they are healthy or not but there are signs such as crustaceans such as lobsters and crabs and shrimp should have be active and have bright colours not dull colours that are caused by stress.

Sea urchins should not have lost any spines or appearing to lose spines.

Sea anemones should have well expanded tentacles that are not contracted or shrivelled.

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