| Should you buy a fresh or saltwater
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| | Substrate lies on the bottom of the
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| aquarium? Ask most aquarists, and you
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| | aquarium, and it must be near the top of
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| will hear a persuasive argument on their
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| | your list of considerations. Gravel
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| tanks' merits and the other's
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| | typically lines the bed of freshwater
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| shortcomings. Yet, there are many
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| | aquariums. It is inexpensive and comes in
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| enthusiasts who find both tanks to be
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| | a variety of vibrant colors. Marine
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| praiseworthy. There is no litmus test for
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| | aquarists, on the other hand, swear by
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| choosing between the two. Your preference
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| | live rock. Most attest that saltwater
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| for what goes into the aquarium and your
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| | fish and invertebrates thrive in a reef
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| budget is what will make the decision
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| | environment with live rock. It costs
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| easier.
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| | considerably more than gravel, but it
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| Aquarium Life
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| | lends to the aquarium's natural beauty.
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| Fresh water fish originate from lakes,
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| | Lighting is a necessity to illuminate
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| rivers and streams. Naturally occurring
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| | the beauty and preserve the health of
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| fluctuations in their environment make
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| | aquatic life in fresh and saltwater
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| these creatures remarkably adaptable. As
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| | aquariums. Lighting for marine tanks
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| such, they are more likely to adjust to
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| | comes at a higher price. Fish-only tanks
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| variances in the aquarium. Pet stores
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| | usually require a single full spectrum
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| carry an abundance of plant life of the
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| | tube. If your heart is set on saltwater
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| freshwater variety. The same cannot be
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| | invertebrates, be mindful that they
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| said for invertebrates, which fare better
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| | require very intense full spectrum
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| in salt water.
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| | lighting, augmented with actinic blue.
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| Saltwater/Marine fish and invertebrates
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| | Keeping water at the appropriate
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| propose a challenge, as they are
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| | temperature and having proper filtration
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| sensitive to environmental changes. The
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| | is a must in all aquariums. Full reef
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| temperature, salinity, ammonia, nitrate,
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| | systems require additional filtration
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| nitrate, and most importantly - the pH -
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| | through protein skimming. This process
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| must be kept at appropriate levels.
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| | strips any organic particles that form in
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| Despite the care required, the vast array
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| | the water before they can be converted to
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| of colorful saltwater fish more than
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| | nitrates. It is important to keep the
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| compensates for the extra effort required
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| | water in either tank moving, especially
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| and their higher price tag. They can have
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| | saltwater aquariums.
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| a lot of company in the tank. Salt water
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| | You will also need a testing kit for
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| offers a host of invertebrates such as
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| | your aquarium. There are more levels to
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| eels, clams, crabs, corals, and starfish.
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| | monitor in a marine environment, but
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| Marine plants, conversely, are difficult
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| | there is not a stark difference in price
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| to harvest and are also pricier than
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| | between the freshwater kits. Since
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| their freshwater equivalent.
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| | salinity is a factor in saltwater tanks,
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| The Necessities
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| | an inexpensive hydrometer is necessary to
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| The differences between freshwater and
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| | ensure a proper balance.
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| saltwater systems aren't limited to
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| | Either system you choose will require an
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| tank's inhabitants. The equipment needed
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| | investment of your time. While the
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| for their survival varies as well. Marine
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| | freshwater versus saltwater debate will
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| aquariums are generally more expensive
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| | undoubtedly persist, no one can dispute
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| than freshwater tanks, but your costs
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| | the joy of putting your patience and
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| drop slightly if you opt for a fish-only
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| | creativity into an aquarium.
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| system.
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| | Copyright 2006
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