| The saltwater aquarium is not recommended for | | | | forms of pollution. The enormous water mass |
| the beginner aquarist. It is however uncommon | | | | that constitutes the ocean will rapidly dilute organic |
| for beginner aquarists to even wish to start out | | | | waste down to very low levels. Marine creatures |
| with a saltwater aquarium instead of a freshwater | | | | are therefore not used to high levels of soluble |
| aquarium. | | | | waste and do not know how to cope. There are |
| Setting up a basic saltwater aquarium is much | | | | of course many freshwater species to be found |
| more expensive than setting up a basic | | | | that are also highly sensitive to organic waste and |
| freshwater aquarium, and this means that it is | | | | very difficult to keep in aquariums. |
| typically the dedicated aquarist with years of | | | | Generally speaking, it is however much easier to |
| freshwater experience that decides to spend the | | | | find sturdy freshwater species since freshwater |
| necessary money on a saltwater aquarium. | | | | fish can live in small lakes and even puddles where |
| The film "Finding Nemo" did however cause a | | | | the levels of organic waste can reach very high |
| saltwater boom, since a lot of people who saw | | | | levels. |
| the film wanted to keep a "Nemo fish", i.e. a | | | | Compared to marine species, these fishes will also |
| marine clownfish. Unfortunately, a lot of | | | | typically be more suited to cope with all forms of |
| clownfishes ended up in the hands of unsuitable | | | | change. In a smaller body of water, the |
| keepers that weren't prepared to spend enough | | | | temperature can for instance shift rapidly. Water |
| time, effort and money on their new pet. | | | | hardiness and pH can also be affected by external |
| If you are a comparatively inexperienced aquarist, | | | | factors. |
| you can still become a highly successful saltwater | | | | Trying to keep the environment in a freshwater |
| aquarist if you are prepared to spend a lot of | | | | aquarium as stable as possible is therefore good |
| time and energy on learning how a saltwater | | | | training if you plan on setting up a saltwater |
| aquarium really works. Investing in suitable | | | | aquarium in the future. |
| equipment and choosing some of the hardiest | | | | The overall chemistry and ecology are also |
| saltwater species will also greatly increase your | | | | different in a saltwater aquarium, since the |
| chance of success. Do not hesitate to contact a | | | | presence of salt affects chemical as well as |
| saltwater aquarium club or a saltwater aquarium | | | | biological processes. |
| forum online and ask for advice and guidelines. | | | | This is however not only a problem, it is also a |
| Most saltwater aquarists are happy to share their | | | | possibility. You will for instance be able to use a |
| knowledge with new aspiring saltwater aquarists. | | | | protein skimmer in a saltwater aquarium; a very |
| One of the reasons why saltwater aquariums are | | | | powerful form of filtration that will remove tiny |
| more difficult to maintain than freshwater | | | | organic waste particles before they begin to |
| aquariums is that marine species tend to be much | | | | decompose. |
| less tolerant to organic waste products and other | | | | |