| Having an aquarium is a fun hobby for many, and | | | | bigger species of fish. |
| it brings so much color and life into the room that | | | | The saltwater aquarium is more complex to |
| it is placed in. Before you go out and buy one, | | | | maintain and requires a lot more maintenance and |
| you need to decide whether this is a casual or | | | | hard work. With the saltwater tank the salt in the |
| serious hobby, and how much time you are willing | | | | water needs to be regulated along with its PH |
| to put into maintaining the water balance of the | | | | level and temperature. You should also place living |
| tank. | | | | rocks into the saltwater aquarium for about two |
| There are two main types of aquariums, the | | | | months to get the bacteria cycle going, as rocks |
| saltwater and the freshwater aquarium. Saltwater | | | | have the good bacteria present on their surface. |
| fish of course survive in a saltwater environment, | | | | Once the bacteria level has built up, then set up |
| while freshwater fish need fresh purified water. | | | | the filter. Thereafter the tank is ready for |
| Obviously, if you put freshwater fish in a | | | | saltwater fish. |
| saltwater tank it will not survive, as saltwater fish | | | | For more color and variation in your saltwater |
| need the saltwater environment and would | | | | tank, you can add corals or anemones. These are |
| "suffocate" in freshwater. | | | | living plants that have to be hand fed by placing |
| The freshwater aquarium is easier to maintain | | | | the food above them and they then curl their |
| than the saltwater aquarium, and setting it up is | | | | tentacles around the food and bring the food into |
| quite simple, with all that is needed are a filter, | | | | their mouth. |
| heater, thermometer and lights. You need to | | | | Do not put in the saltwater tank fish that eat the |
| leave the tank cycling for about four weeks to | | | | anemones, or bigger fish that may eat the smaller |
| cultivate the bacteria cycle, and also to keep the | | | | fish. Some saltwater fish are also poisonous, so |
| ammonia level down. The fresh water must not | | | | beware. Saltwater aquariums are only for the |
| contain any chlorine or ammonia, because | | | | serious as it takes a lot of work to get the water |
| ammonia is deadly to the fish as it makes | | | | conditions just right, namely the saltwater, |
| breathing very difficult. | | | | temperature and the PH must be at a safe level. |
| Once your tank is set up you can start out with | | | | Regardless of which type of aquarium you |
| smaller species of fish, until you become more | | | | choose, they are bound to brighten up your room |
| experienced, after which you can move onto | | | | and make it much more vibrant. |