| "Marine" is a word used to describe salt water | | | | Protein skimmers basically work by creating tiny |
| environments. Marine fish need different | | | | bubbles that rise through a plastic column and into |
| environments to live in than tropical fish do, so | | | | a collection bowl above the surface of the water |
| you need different equipment if you want to | | | | in the tank. As the bubbles rise they collect sticky |
| keep a marine fish tank than you would to keep | | | | proteins from the water that would otherwise be |
| a freshwater fish tank. | | | | converted into potential toxins, such as ammonia |
| The most obvious difference between marine and | | | | and nitrate by biological filtration. |
| fresh water aquariums is that marine tanks | | | | There are many of different kinds of protein |
| require salt. Do not get this confused with table | | | | skimmers available, including internal and external |
| salt, what you actually need is marine salt. This is | | | | models, but whichever type you go for get the |
| either made by a desalination process of natural | | | | biggest one you can afford that will fit your tank, |
| seawater or man-made with the correct balance | | | | as it will always be the most efficient. |
| of elements and additives. | | | | If you are buying a new tank and aim to keep |
| Typical seawater usually contains between 33 and | | | | marine fish make sure it can take a skimmer. |
| 36 ppt of salt (equal to 33-36 grams per litre). | | | | Another piece of equipment you will need for a |
| Warm salt water can evaporate rapidly, a large | | | | marine tank is a chiller, or a cooler. These are a |
| size tank can lose over 25 litres a week, and as | | | | kind of refrigeration unit that is connected to the |
| marine fish are not used to large fluctuations in | | | | tank and as water gets pumped through the unit |
| salinity an automatic top-up device can be used to | | | | it is cooled down and then returned to the tank. |
| regulate the environment. | | | | Because of all the equipment, such as |
| Such a device involves a float switch that is | | | | high-powered lighting, being used in fish tanks |
| located in the main tank and connected to a | | | | these days more and more power is being used, |
| pump in the top-up water. When the level drops | | | | which in turn produces heat, and marine tanks do |
| the switch alerts the pump to top up the main | | | | not require that much heat. |
| tank. | | | | You may need other equipment for your marine |
| To indicate how much salt is the water in your | | | | tank as well but these are the basic requirements. |
| tank you will need a vital piece of equipment called | | | | Do some thorough research about the type of |
| a hydrometer. These are inexpensive and easy to | | | | fish you'd like to keep and take some expert |
| use, and should always be used when making up | | | | advice before you buy any, and bear in mind that |
| water for a water change, and occasionally to | | | | keeping a marine fish tank can be an expensive |
| check the levels in the main tank. Some even | | | | hobby, so make sure you are aware of all the |
| come with a built-in thermometer. | | | | costs before you start. If you are converting a |
| Another vital piece of equipment you'll need is a | | | | fresh water tank make sure it can take all the |
| protein skimmer, as this will help to maintain clean | | | | equipment you need to keep marines successfully. |
| marine water. A protein skimmer should be used | | | | Most important of all keep learning as you go |
| alongside a conventional biological filtration system | | | | along and enjoy your marine tank, as they can be |
| or as part of a natural filtration system in | | | | so rewarding. |
| conjunction with living rock in your tank. | | | | |