What Kind of Equipment Do You Need for Saltwater Aquariums?

By Clifford Woods

Saltwater fish tanks are generally not as easy to maintain as you might initially believe. Because of this fact, it is recommended that before purchasing a saltwater aquarium, you should take some time learning a few of the features and maintenance that comes with owning one.

Unfortunately, on the subject of owning a saltwater fish tank, it is definitely NOT a simple task of carrying the fish tank home and putting your fish in it. You need to be qualified about how exactly to put it together properly, along with learning about how to take care of your aquarium when you have it all set up.

Lighting and Temperatures for Saltwater Tanks
One of the most common types of heating unit used in fish tanks that support saltwater fish are the underwater heaters that are regulated by a thermostat. These specific designs of heating units are offered for your aquarium to help sustain the water at a temperature that the fish find satisfactory.

Just about all species of saltwater fish would rather be in water that is at a temperature of close to seventy-five to eighty degrees Fahrenheit. These types of conditions are definite for the saltwater fish in your aquarium as this is the temperature range they came out of in the aquariums at the fish store where you bought them.

In case you have one of the massive sized aquariums, then it is crucial that, instead of buying one heating unit, you purchase two. Both of these need to be set up at either ends of the fish tank to ensure that the water is warmed up to an appropriate temperature range regularly. Also, it is recommended that you own a thermostat that can you can use to regularly check the temperature inside of the tank.

Lighting is essential in any fish tank not only for visual appeal, but you will also discover that it is vital to the overall health and wellness of the fish within. With the use of the perfect lighting system, the correct eight to ten hour light cycle can be generated, which will then replicate the surroundings of life in nature for the different types of fish that you get for your saltwater tank.

You will have a choice about whether it is better to install fluorescent lights within your aquarium or go for a LED system. LED systems are one of the best to have as they can replicate natural lighting much better than fluorescent. Metal halide lights are also an option.

A good light source will help boost the growth of algae that the coral needs to be able to flourish. However, if your algae problem become too much to handle be sure to purchase an all-natural anti-algae product that has the proper ingredients necessary, ideally beneficial microorganisms, to control the algae completely.

Substrate and Other Accessories
One more important bit of equipment you will want for your fish tank is a substance to cover the bottom of the aquarium with. There are two main options to choose from. Typically the majority of people who have a saltwater aquarium in their house want to have both ocean sand and live rocks within it.

Unfortunately, ocean sand alone is not preferable for fish tanks. Instead, gravel is used as it performs better and is more helpful in the maintenance of the aquarium and it also makes sure it continues to be safe for the fish within.

The gravel, in fact, has their own microorganisms residing on them which helps with the filtration of the water in the aquarium, and reduces the amount of ammonia. Sea sand and live rocks can be used in saltwater and coral reef fish tanks in addition to the gravel.
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Clifford Woods is the CEO of Effective Environmental Services and Organic Environmental Technology
We brew Beneficial Microorganisms that eat toxins and offer Natural Organic Solutions.