| Marine Aquarium System | | | | filtration. Depending on the shape of the rock, the |
| INTRODUCTION | | | | period of curing may extend from 1 week to 2 |
| Setting up aquariums at home as a piece of | | | | months even. After draining some water out of |
| decoration has been a very common practice. | | | | the aquarium, place the live rock in the middle of |
| This, not only enhances the beauty of our room, | | | | it with the powerheads aiming at the rocks. You |
| but adds life to our room also. If you think more | | | | need to brush the rocks every after few days |
| in depth, this small piece of decoration can be | | | | regularly, but do not forget to turn off the power |
| categorized into a number of types depending on | | | | in the tank. You may use new rubber kitchen |
| the differences in set-up and constitution. A | | | | gloves or brush with plastic bristles to scrub and |
| 'Marine Aquarium' is a type which has to be | | | | remove the dead organisms in the rock. Now |
| decorated with marine plants and animals. This | | | | siphon the disposals and fill the tank with |
| again can be further subdivided into the following | | | | previously mixed saltwater. Do not forget to put |
| types;o Fish Only (FO)o Fish Only with Live Rock | | | | a powerhead and a heater in the mixing container |
| (FOWLR) ando Reef Aquaria | | | | in order to mix uniformly and keep on testing |
| Marine fish keeping is entirely different from the | | | | regularly to ensure that the tank is cycling. One |
| other types as this involves more knowledge and | | | | smarter way to understand that the live rock is |
| study. An extensive knowledge is required | | | | cured is that when the tank stops smelling bad. |
| regarding the composition of water, its chemical | | | | The tank water should be free from ammonia |
| properties and the adaptability of the inhabitants | | | | and nitrite, so do not miss out to test it at regular |
| of a marine aquarium. | | | | intervals. |
| To start with, let us first discuss the very first | | | | Adding substrate: once the curing process of live |
| step of installing a 'Marine Aquarium System' which | | | | rock is completed, you need to prepare your |
| includes the major components that are essential | | | | aquarium for the substrate layer. For that, first of |
| for a marine aquarium. | | | | all drain out some water to make a space for the |
| Major Components of a Marine Aquarium | | | | sand and then turn off the aquarium power. Take |
| The very first thing required for the installation of | | | | a large bucket, say about 5 gallon and pre-mix in |
| a Marine Aquarium is a sound knowledge of all the | | | | it about 2 gallons of saltwater. Add the sand in |
| major components of it. The usual volume range | | | | the pre-mixed saltwater and keep on stirring. By |
| of Marine Aquariums is from less than 80 litres to | | | | constant stirring, the dust and unwanted particles |
| over 1200 litres. The major components of a | | | | will rise up which you must drain out carefully. |
| Marine Aquarium are;o An Aquarium, made of | | | | Also drain out some saltwater from the mixing |
| glass or acrylico Filtration Equipmento Proper | | | | bucket and then with the help of a ladle or |
| Lightingo Aquarium Heater and Refrigeration | | | | something like that add the clean sand to the |
| Devices | | | | aquarium slowly. You might use a powerhead for |
| The material of the aquarium should be preferably | | | | blowing off, if any sand particles get into the live |
| made of glass or acrylic. Glass is used mainly | | | | rock. So, finally the marine tank set-up process |
| because of its holding strength, transparency and | | | | seems to have come to an end. Now at this |
| inexpensive too. Also, glass has a remarkable | | | | stage, the only thing that is advised is to allow the |
| feature of distributing the total pressure within the | | | | tank to settle down. For another few days, keep |
| whole aquarium. However, acrylic can also be used | | | | on monitoring the water parameters without |
| as an alternative to glass as it is light weight and | | | | disturbing the tank much. |
| can be moulded very easily to give varied shapes | | | | Set-up the Marine Aquarium - 3rd Part |
| and sizes. In addition, it is scratch resistant and | | | | Monitoring the tank: Once the aquarium is ready |
| provides a much better electric insulation, although | | | | with all the essential components, it needs a |
| its price is a bit higher. | | | | standing time of few days to settle down. During |
| The filtration set up of a marine aquarium is much | | | | this phase your most important task is to |
| more complex compared to other freshwater | | | | constantly monitor all the delicate parameters so |
| aquariums and includes physical, chemical and | | | | as to ensure a perfect environment for the |
| biological filtration as well. The most commonly | | | | marine fishes. The monitoring includes;o Checking |
| used filtration equipments are; Wet and Dry Filters | | | | the temperature of the aquarium watero |
| and Protein Skimmers. A Protein Skimmer is a | | | | Checking the specific gravity of the aquarium |
| device which is used to remove organic | | | | watero Checking the pH balance of the aquarium |
| compounds from the water before they are | | | | watero Checking the ammonia levelo Checking |
| further broken into nitrogenous wastes. Protein | | | | the nitrite levelo Checking the nitrate level of the |
| skimming is an important process of filtration as | | | | aquarium watero Checking the carbonate |
| this is the only method of filtration where the | | | | hardness level of the aquarium water |
| organic compounds are removed physically before | | | | All the above parameters should be perfectly |
| they are decomposed - thus improving the water | | | | within the desired range. A little disbalance in any |
| property. Some of the marine aquariums also | | | | of these above parameters can be a threat to |
| contain a Refugium or a Sump. A refugium is a | | | | marine life. So, it is advised to perform this |
| small container, or more likely a small aquarium | | | | monitoring process very carefully. Any imbalance |
| which is laid beneath the marine aquarium and is | | | | if noted, must be rectified and brought to normal |
| connected to it by a water pump. A sump | | | | level before the addition of marine fishes. |
| however contains a number of chambers, each of | | | | The temperature range of the aquarium should be |
| which is filled with its own filtration material. | | | | between 75°F - 80°F (24°C - |
| Lights play a major role in marine aquariums, so | | | | 27°C) and the specific gravity should range |
| proper lighting is very much essential in this case. | | | | from 1.020 to 1.024. Moreover, the pH reading of |
| Although, it is advised to set a cyclical lighting | | | | the aquarium water should be between 8.0 to 8.4. |
| arrangement in order to stimulate the day and | | | | Note that the levels of ammonia and nitrite |
| night, but it varies depending on the type of | | | | content in the aquarium water should be 0. In |
| inhabitants of the aquarium. For a typical 'Fish Only' | | | | other words, there must not be any trace of |
| type, intense light is not required. But in case of | | | | ammonia and nitrite in the aquarium water. |
| aquariums containing invertebrates, an intense light | | | | However, the nitrate content of the water should |
| is preferred. The most commonly used lights are; | | | | be around 20ppm or less, especially for the |
| Fluorescent, VHO Fluorescent with very high | | | | invertebrates whereas, the carbonate hardness |
| intensity, Compact Fluorescent, LED and Metal | | | | range is 7 - 10dKH. The water we use daily is |
| Halide. Although there are a lot of variations | | | | generally rich in phosphates, which must be taken |
| regarding this sources of light, but all this | | | | care of. Presence of phosphate in the aquarium |
| technologies have its own advantages and | | | | water increases the chances of some of the |
| disadvantages. The two most important factors | | | | undesirable algae growth. While even a small |
| that should be taken into consideration while | | | | amount of copper in the aquarium could be a |
| selecting a lighting arrangement are; wattage and | | | | threat to snails, shrimps, starfishes and other |
| color temperature. The wattage of the lights may | | | | invertebrates - though not harmful for fishes. One |
| vary from tens to several hundreds, depending | | | | of the most important points to enhance water |
| on the type of lighting used. Color temperature, | | | | quality is to keep it in motion. A moving water is |
| on the other hand, is nothing but the color of light | | | | perfect for gaseous exchange so that it remains |
| emitted by the lighting system. Color temperature | | | | oxygenated and as a result good for the health |
| >5000K has proved to be best for growing | | | | of the fishes. The best way to keep the |
| plants in marine aquariums. A 10,000K lighting | | | | aquarium water in motion is by using a |
| system throws a bluish-white radiation which | | | | powerhead. Also, the pumps play an important |
| affects the colours in fishes and corals. A much | | | | role in driving out excess of carbon dioxide from |
| higher spectrum, say 14,000K and 20,000K | | | | the water, which may result in low pH otherwise. |
| produces a deep blue radiation, like that of under | | | | It is advised to keep the levels of salt, calcium, |
| the sea and creates a similar environment. | | | | alkalinity and temperature stable. Allow a standing |
| A Marine Aquarium temperature should be | | | | time to the aquarium water so that the water |
| maintained at 24 to 28 degrees Celsius, which is | | | | chemistry comes to a stabilized state which is |
| similar to the natural environment of the marine | | | | very important. |
| inhabitants. In cases, where the aquarium | | | | A quick highlight of the water chemistry: |
| temperature is less than this desired temperature, | | | | - Temperature Range: 75°F - 80°F |
| an 'Aquarium Heater' is used. On the other hand, if | | | | (24°C - 27°C) |
| the temperature is greater than desired, a | | | | - Specific Gravity Range: 1.020 to 1.024 |
| refrigeration device known as 'Chillers' is used to | | | | - pH Range: 8.0 to 8.4 |
| lower down the aquarium temperature. | | | | - Ammonia Level: 0 |
| Set-up the Marine Aquarium - 1st Part | | | | - Nitrite Level: 0 |
| Once you are ready with all the essential | | | | - Phosphate Level: 0 |
| components of a Marine Fish Tank, the second | | | | - Copper Level: 0 |
| major step is the setting up process. It is a | | | | - Nitrate Range: 20ppm or less, especially for the |
| lengthy process and might take 4 to 8 weeks | | | | invertebrates |
| before you can actually add any marine life into | | | | - Carbonate Hardness Range: 7 - 10dKH |
| the set-up. The major steps included in the set-up | | | | Set-up the Marine Aquarium - 4th Part |
| process are;o Deciding the aquarium size and | | | | Adding Marine Fishes: Once the water chemistry |
| locationo Arranging the essential aquarium | | | | comes to a stabilized state and the tank is totally |
| equipmentso Setting up the aquarium with all the | | | | cycled and ready, it is the perfect environment to |
| equipmentso Adding previously mixed saltwater to | | | | add marine life into your Marine Aquarium System. |
| the aquariumo Curing of live rocko Adding the | | | | Marine species not only includes marine fishes, but |
| substrateo Monitoring the water thoroughly and | | | | also anemones and other marine invertebrates. |
| allow the tank to cycle.o Adding marine fishes. | | | | Maintaining saltwater fishes involves a lot of |
| So let's discuss all the major points by step. | | | | behavioral understanding, additional skill sets and |
| Aquarium size and location: The size of the | | | | knowledge. This is because the marine fishes in |
| aquarium varies with the type of marine fish you | | | | general are physiologically different and are less |
| would like to keep. This is because the size and | | | | adaptable compared to the freshwater species. All |
| growth of marine fishes varies from an inch to | | | | you need is a stable environment and some |
| about 12 or 18 inches. It is always better to avoid | | | | special treatments and conditions - no other extra |
| smaller tanks as this requires frequent water | | | | pampering is actually required to maintain the |
| testing and greater maintenance. A perfect place | | | | fishes. Compared to freshwater aquariums, a |
| to set up your marine system is in that area | | | | saltwater or marine aquarium supports a wider |
| where the external sources such as windows or | | | | range of extraordinarily beautiful fishes. Some of |
| heater vent hardly affects the light and | | | | the most popular saltwater fishes are Damsels, |
| temperature of the aquarium. Last but not the | | | | Lionfish, Clownfish, Triggerfish, Blennies, Butterfly |
| least, the stand should be strong enough to hold | | | | fish and marine Angelfish. Among a wide range of |
| the total weight of the aquarium. | | | | marine fishes certain species like Clownfish, |
| Essential aquarium equipments: It is advisable to | | | | Wrasses, Anthias and Marine Betta throws a |
| list down and arrange all the essential equipments | | | | vibrant color to your aquarium. Once your marine |
| required for setting up a marine aquarium before | | | | aquarium system is ready, it is advisable to start |
| the set-up process so that you do not miss out a | | | | with the popular sturdier marine fishes and |
| single. The first thing you need to decide is the | | | | Damsels are perfect for such cases. Damsels, |
| type of filtration. A combination of live rock as a | | | | unlike other popular marine species are much |
| biological filter and protein skimmer as a method | | | | more sturdy and also less expensive compared to |
| for mechanical and chemical filtration is perfect in | | | | others. |
| this case. Arrange the live rock, sand and a power | | | | However, one thing that should be kept in mind is |
| strip. Live sand or aragonite based sand, especially | | | | that Damsels are a bit aggressive in their nature |
| from caribsea is the best choice. You can also use | | | | and so are not friendly with many of the other |
| crushed coral as a best choice, but avoid using | | | | marine species. For another six months keep your |
| sandbox or playground sand as these are harmful | | | | marine aquarium on some of the few hardy |
| for your marine life. | | | | marine fishes and do not miss out to keep a |
| Set up your aquarium: Avoid using soap or | | | | close eye on the conditions of the aquarium |
| detergents to wash the tank as the soap | | | | water. If everything goes well and well balanced, |
| residues prove to be harmful for marine fishes. | | | | after approximately six months or so, try adding |
| Wash it up with water only and fill it up with fresh | | | | some of the hardy invertebrates. Among the |
| water for smoke and leakage testing, if any. Drain | | | | hardy invertebrates, you can start with adding of |
| out the water once the test is done and the next | | | | soft corals, algae's, shrimps, anemones, starfish |
| step is to fix a background. It is advisable to paint | | | | and urchins. You can also fill your marine aquarium |
| the background as there are no chances of salt | | | | with some of the other popular creatures like |
| creep getting in between the background and | | | | worms and sponges. After the successful addition |
| glass. The painting should be done at the outside | | | | and maintenance of these invertebrates and after |
| wall of the backside and not in the inside wall. A | | | | about one to two years, you can start |
| black background is ideal for marine tanks as this | | | | considering the comparatively sensitive |
| enhances the color of the fishes. Alternatively, | | | | invertebrates such as stony corals, clams etc. In |
| you can also use deep blue as this helps in | | | | an advance stage, you can even house your |
| creating an illusion of water depth. After the tank | | | | marine aquarium with somewhat larger |
| has been left for a day in order to allow the paint | | | | invertebrates such as jellyfish and octopus. So by |
| to dry off, install the heater, filter and protein | | | | now, you could well guess that a marine aquarium |
| skimmer. Do not forget to use a drip loop on all | | | | is capable of housing a much wider range of |
| the power cords and check back the aquarium | | | | creatures than you could actually imagine in case |
| electrical paths. | | | | of freshwater aquarium. |
| Set-up the Marine Aquarium - 2nd Part | | | | Last but not the least, a healthy and spacious |
| Add pre-mixed saltwater: You can use most of | | | | environment is required for the healthy growth of |
| the commonly available mixtures, unless you are | | | | the marine fishes. In order to provide a healthy |
| setting a reef tank. Take a 5 gallon bucket, fill it | | | | environment, never ever overstock your |
| up and remove the chlorine and chloramine using | | | | aquarium, which is a very common practice |
| suitable additives and medicines for Aquariums.. | | | | among beginners. Another very common mistake |
| Then slowly add the salt mixture to the water at | | | | that should be avoided is overfeeding of the |
| room temperature with constant stirring. Once | | | | fishes that may lead to poor quality of water and |
| you are sure that the whole salt mixture has | | | | even sickness leading to death of your aquarium |
| dissolved completely, test it with a hydrometer or | | | | fishes. It is always advisable to feed your marine |
| refractometer. Once the specific gravity reaches | | | | fishes in small amounts so that it all gets eaten |
| between 1.021 and 1.024, the water is ready to | | | | up, thus preventing the water from getting poor. |
| be added into your aquarium. Make sure to allow | | | | Keeping aside all the technical points, one major |
| the water to circulate for about a day or two by | | | | job should be to check your aquarium fishes and |
| turning the aquarium on. | | | | invertebrates - their health and movement. Any |
| Curing the live rock: Though quite expensive, but | | | | signs of illness if noted, it is advised to check your |
| live rock falls under the essential part of Marine | | | | water conditions, look for the symptoms of the |
| Aquarium. This is only because live rock is | | | | disease and then consult your marine aquarium |
| considered to be the best form of biological | | | | retailer or Internet books for advice. |