Saturday, January 23rd, 2010 at
7:31 pm
Alot of times a new saltwater fish aquarium is associated with many obstacles that the owner has to get past in order to have a great tank. While the things that a new tank keeper can do wrong is long there is a few common things that most people do that could jeopardize their saltwater fish but are very easy to avoid with some good saltwater aquarium advice.
Saltwater Aquarium Advice For Successful Tanks
Relax And Take It Slow- In many instances people who just setup their new saltwater fish aquarium tend to get overly excited and may rush out to buy fish for the tank. This will surely lead to disaster because the tanks nitrifying bacteria has not yet reached high enough levels to neutralize toxic ammonia in the tank.
The ammonia is a by product of fish waste and un eaten food. If you are using cured liverock in your tank (which you should be) you can add a fish after a few days. But wait about 3 weeks before adding anymore and then space out new fish in 2-3 week intervals until your tank is fully stocked.
To make the wait between fish seem shorter buy a good saltwater aquarium guide and study up on some fish you like and narrow down your choices to your favorites.
Let The Tank Be- Out of excitement many new marine aquarium owners are often poking around the tank adjusting equipment and re arranging tank decor. While this may make you feel good it is stressing your fish out badly.
Fish that are stressed out are more prone to disease and other problems. So by letting your tank be and letting your saltwater fish adjust to their new home you will increase your chances at success.
Start Out With Hardy Fish- There are many easy to keep hardy marine fish that will do great in a new marine aquarium. They will be more tolerant of problems with water quality and often will eat most prepared foods.
A good book on the saltwater fish aquarium will be able to give you a good list of appropriate fish that you should have no problems keeping alive and thriving.
To learn how to set up and pick the right fish for your Saltwater Fish Aquarium grab a copy of our marine aquarium guide. This fully illustrated guide is full of tips and tricks that successful saltwater aquarium keepers use to establish stunning setups. Learn more at http://www.saltwatermethods.com
Saturday, January 23rd, 2010 at
7:28 pm
New marine aquariums bring with them some challenges that every tank keeper must over come. But there are a few common things that new tank owners do wrong to make matters worse.
Below you will find some saltwater aquarium advice that will help you get around these common problems so you can have a thriving tank that lasts along time to come
Have Patience
Many new owners of saltwater fish aquariums get to anxious and often add new fish much to fast. The new marine aquarium has a process in place that will naturally make you slow down, this is called the nitrogen cycle. The nitrogen cycle usually takes about 3-4 weeks to complete before you can safely add a fish.
After adding your first new saltwater fish you must not give into temptation and add to many fish at one time. This will overwhelm the tank and cause an ammonia spike that will kill the fish. Instead wait about 3 weeks between each fish and you should be safe.
Leave Your Tank Alone
A common habit among people keeping new saltwater fish aquariums is to constantly mess with the tank and maybe even constantly rearrange the decorations in the tank to get that just right look. This adds a lot of stress to the lives of your saltwater fish and can lead to disease or stress related death. So resist the urge and you will have a better marine aquarium with healthier fish.
Stick With Easy Fish
Some good saltwater aquarium advice for keepers of new marine aquariums is to try and stick with the easier and more hardy marine species. Not only are these fish generally less expensive they are also much more tolerant of beginners mistakes.
A good saltwater aquarium guide should be able to help you with a list of suitable beginner fish for new saltwater fish aquariums. Choose each fish carefully and research their behavior and needs.
To create a stunning properly stocked saltwater aquarium grab a copy of our Saltwater Aquarium Guide This illustrated guide will show you step by step how to properly set up your aquarium. It’s crammed with tips and secrets that the pros use to create stunning displays! Learn more at http://www.saltwatermethods.com
Saturday, January 23rd, 2010 at
7:24 pm
The marine fish tank is thought by many to be a very difficult and expensive undertaking. While that may have true many years ago today advances in the hobby and better understanding of saltwater fish allow even a beginner to keep a successful marine fish tank.
Tips For Planning a Successful Marine Aquarium
- Choose The Fish You Want First- This is very important because the types of fish you are interested in keeping will determine many things. The kinds of fish you are interested in will dictate how big a tank you will need and the amount and types of support equipment your marine aquarium will need to keep them healthy.
- Establish Your Budget- Like anything the bigger your saltwater aquarium setup is the more it is going to cost. By not planning you could wind up with a big tank and no money to finish it or for fish. By knowing your budget you will not be setting yourself up for frustration or a poorly set up saltwater aquarium that will ultimately fail
- Pick The Biggest Tank You Can Afford- Larger marine aquariums are more stable and therefore easier to care for and keep healthy fish in. Knowing the types of fish you want and your salt water fish tank budget can help you decide on the right size.
- Educate Yourself- Even after your salt water fish tank is setup and running do not stop learning. There is ever evolving information when it comes to saltwater fish keeping. Some of the best information can be found in hobby magazines, on the Internet and through fellow saltwater fish keepers
Learn all The Secrets To Setting Up a Stunning Saltwater Aquarium With our saltwater aquarium guide available at http://www.saltwatermethods.com
Sunday, October 4th, 2009 at
4:35 pm
What temperature should saltwater fish aquariums be kept at? This is often a question many new saltwater fish tank keepers are unsure about and there is actually more then one right answer.
If you are only keeping a saltwater fish aquarium and no other invertebrates other then crabs and snails you can generally get away with keeping your tank around 75-76 degrees Fahrenheit.
This lower tank temperature will keep the oxygen levels high in your tank and keep your fishes metabolisms at a normal rate.
If you are keeping live corals or delicate invertebrates like shrimps and live corals that come from shallower reef areas you need to keep your saltwater aquarium around 77-79 degrees. This temperature will also keep your corals metabolisms in the normal range
Anything less then 77 degrees and you may start to see reduced activity or corals that do not open fully due to the lower temperatures.
The highest you ever want your tank to go is about 81-82 degrees. If it goes higher then that you may need to invest in a chiller to control the temperature in your tank.
However many experts argue that captive corals grow faster at higher temperatures but it is a fine balance and a risky one at that. At higher temperatures oxygen levels can fall and animals metabolisms can increase to the point where they need more food.
Problem algae also seems to be more common in systems that have higher tank temperatures, this is thought to be because the lower oxygen levels provide a better environment for the algae to grow in.
Want a crystal clear successful Saltwater Fish Aquarium with healthy vibrant fish. Our marine aquarium guide can show you step by step how to set up and care for your tank the right way. Then check out our full saltwater aquarium guide that costs less the $10 at http://www.saltwatermethods.com
Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 at
5:32 pm
How many fish can I put in a 30 gal saltwater tank is a common question asked by new aquarium owners? With the growing popularity of saltwater aquariums more and more people are venturing into the hobby. Most of these people seem to gravitate to smaller systems under 40 gallons mainly for cost reasons.
While small tanks maybe affordable they can also severely limit your fish choices due to the nature of many marine fish.First you have to realize the saltwater fish are not like freshwater fish. They are territorial and some will protect that territory to the death.
With that in mind you will need to provide your marine fish with ample room to call their own. As a very basic rule of thumb you can have one small fish per 10 gallons of tank volume. This is dictated however by the tank shape and fish type.
Tips For Adding Fish To Your Tank
- A critical step in stocking a smaller saltwater aquarium is to research your fish choices before you shop, never impulse buy saltwater fish! Once you see some fish that you like you can dig further into their characteristics and see how they may get along with other tank mates.
- Do not let size fool you, some of the most brutal and violent fish are small. Fish like some dottybacks and damsels will attack fish twice or even three times their size, and often times kill them in the process.
- If you feel one of your choices maybe a little aggressive you may want to add them last. Often times adding a semi aggressive marine fish last will eliminate some of the territory battles that can take place. It is not guaranteed to work this way though because fish like people have different personalities.
- A good saltwater aquarium guide will be able to help you determine the types of saltwater fish you can keep in a smaller tank. Then you will want to go to the local fish store and see them in person and see if they look and behave how you want.
If you are setting up a new Saltwater Aquarium and feeling a little confused then you need to have our marine aquarium guide on your side. Our marine aquarium guide will give you a complete step by step plan to follow for a successful marine aquarium full of healthy thriving fish. You can learn more by visiting www.saltwatermethods.com
Wednesday, April 1st, 2009 at
2:26 am
Are you not sure about taking the plunge and getting a new marine aquarium because the thought of starting a beginner saltwater aquarium makes you nervous. Well relax because this article will briefly cover what is needed to set up a new marine aquarium as a beginner.
The very first thing that you have to establish is the size of the tank that you can and want to keep. Take into consideration, your budget, and the room you have in your house. If yo have the room and money try and start with something over 55 gallons but under 125. This range will give you a stable tank but it will not be so big that its overwhelming to care for.
Once the appropriate size tank as been picked you need to figure out what kind of saltwater fish you want to keep in it. Saltwater fish are much different then freshwater varieties, putting the wrong fish together could result in constant fighting or worse yet one of the fish could eat the rest.
You can find information on marine fish at a fish store in your area or through aquarium guides and books. Once you have decided on some fish that seem interesting to you do some more research and eliminate the ones that will not fit in your tank, are to hard to care for and ones that may not fit with your other choices.
After settling on the saltwater fish choices you must move on and plan your filtration system. If this is a simple fish only tank then you can look at canister and hang on type filters. Just make sure to buy the right sized filter for your tank, and if you can afford it buy one slightly bigger then recommended because as the get dirty their performance drops off.
Next you must decide how your beginner saltwater aquarium setup is going to be decorated. Are you going to use live rock or just artificial decorations? Most new saltwater aquarium keepers are not sure of this part of the plan.
If you are not sure the best thing you can do is make a trip to a fish store in your area and look at their marine aquarium setups and see what you like. Once you settle on a style you buy your decorations and begin setting up your new saltwater aquarium and that is where the fun begins!
If you want to create an easy-to-maintain saltwater aquarium grab a copy of our Saltwater Aquarium Guide. This illustrated guide will show you step by step how to properly set up and stock your aquarium. It’s crammed with tips and secrets that the pros use to create stunning marine displays! Learn more at http://www.saltwatermethods.com
Saturday, March 21st, 2009 at
12:53 pm
MYTH
Cycling a Saltwater Aquarium Takes A Long Time
FACT
It used to be that people used fish like damsels to cycle their saltwater aquariums and this used to take 3-6 weeks. Today however with the wide use of live rock and live sand cycling can take as little a few days.
MYTH
Huge Water Changes Are needed To Control Nitrates And Algae
FACT
Today advanced protein skimmers and other methods like refugiums, deep sand beds and live rock have all proven to be effective ways at keeping nitrates and algae low and within safe levels. While water changes are still needed they do not need to be any more then 20% of the tanks volume every month.
MYTH
Your local fish store is the best place for information on saltwater fish tanks
FACT
While their are many good saltwater fish stores across the country that give good advice many of them actually are not versed very well in saltwater. To determine if your store is knowledgeable in marine aquariums look at their displays, are they crystal clear or full of algae and dirty? A good marine aquarium store will have healthy algae free tanks.
MYTH
Large Water Changes Are Harmful To Saltwater Fish
FACT
As long as the salinity, temperature and PH of the new water is the same as the water it is replacing this will have no negative affect on your fish
MYTH
Saltwater fish Tanks are Hard to Take Care Of
FACT
With todays advances in equipment and understanding of saltwater animals keeping a saltwater aquarium has never been easier. In fact if you choose some of the easier species keeping marine aquariums today is as easy as keeping freshwater fish.
The easiest way to create a stunning and easy-to-maintain saltwater aquarium is to grab a copy of our Saltwater Aquarium Guide. This illustrated guide will show you step by step how to properly set up and stock your aquarium. It’s crammed with tips and secrets that the pros use to create stunning aquatic displays! Learn more at http://www.saltwatermethods.com
Friday, March 13th, 2009 at
9:17 pm
Setting up a salt water fish tank setup is not a hard thing to accomplish, it just takes the proper planning in order to get it right the first time. If you research and learn a little bit before you act you will be able to learn how to set up a salt water aquarium that will give you little trouble and be enjoyable.
The First Step For Setting Up Saltwater Aquariums
Really the first thing you need to do is learn a little bit about the types of saltwater fish that are available and decide what type you would like to keep. This step is often overlooked by new people that are setting up saltwater aquariums and one that can end up costing you a lot of money.
The benefits to picking your saltwater fish before anything else is that you will be able to pick your tank size and filter sizes based on the fish you wish to keep.
For example if you decide on a larger tank with a few bigger predatory fish like triggers or lion fish you will have to invest much more in a larger filtration system then you would for a smaller tank with a few clown fish.
Because many marine fish will eat or fight with each other you can eliminate the possibility of putting predator and prey in the same tank, or mortal enemies for that matter.
Once you choose your fish you will have to decide on the filters and decorations you will use in your salt water fish tank setup.
The best thing to do to help you deiced is go to a good local fish store and look at their displays and see what you like. Take notice what fish they have in the tanks and how the tank looks.
If it is similar to what you want to have talk to them about the equipment they use because it maybe the right salt water fish tank setup for you.
Buying the right equipment only once will help ensure you do not get frustrated with the hobby of saltwater fish tanks and quit for the wrong reasons.
To create a stunning and easy-to-maintain saltwater aquarium grab a copy of our Saltwater Aquarium Guide This illustrated guide will show you step by step how to properly set up and stock your salt water aquarium. It’s crammed with tips and secrets that the pros use to create stunning successful displays! Learn more at http://www.saltwatermethods.com
Wednesday, March 4th, 2009 at
3:17 pm
If you are starting a saltwater aquarium for the very first time you are no doubt excited and ready to go. But before you dive in consider the three tips listed below, they will help you on your journey to a beautiful thriving marine aquarium that you can enjoy for years to come.
Get The Biggest Tank You Can Afford- When starting a saltwater aquarium for the first time many people buy smaller tanks because they cost less. While a small tank can work a larger tank in the range of 75 gallons is better for the beginner.
A bigger tank will allow you more fish but it is also more forgiving and is more stable because it has a larger volume of water in it. A more stable aquarium leads to healthier fish.
Plan For Your Fish First- Most first time saltwater fish keepers make the mistake of setting up their tanks first then choosing the fish. While this can work in some situations it is best to take some time to research the fish you want to keep in your tank.
You will be able to properly set up your tank for the fish you want and will also be able to eliminate any potentially aggressive or delicate species from your list. Researching potential fish can save you a lot of time, frustration and wasted money.
Take Your Time And Learn- Starting a saltwater aquarium is not like a freshwater tank at all. the fish are more sensitive to changes in water chemistry and need to be introduced slowly over a period of weeks rather then all at once. Also be sure to plan your fish stocking schedule so you add the most aggressive fishes last.
This will help you avoid any major territorial issues that can arise when saltwater fish are introduced to fast or in the wrong order.
Want a successful Saltwater Aquarium with healthy colorful fish? Our saltwater aquarium guide will show you step by step how to set up your tank and avoid the common mistakes. To learn how to create a stunning saltwater aquarium visit http://www.saltwatermethods.com
Saturday, February 28th, 2009 at
3:30 pm
Keeping your water clean and fresh is a great way to ensure that your saltwater fish stay healthy and colorful. But it must be done correctly or else it can actually stress the fish out and possibly cause disease to set in. The article below will go over how to change water in a saltwater aquarium the right way.
How To Change Water In A Saltwater Aquarium
The first thing you need to do is have a container that will only hold saltwater and nothing else. This will eliminate the possibility of using a container that had potentially toxic chemicals in it that could kill or sicken your fish.
In this container you should mix your saltwater up and let it mix with a small aquarium power head for at least 24 hours. Letting it mix 24 hours will ensure that all the chemicals dissolve and the properties of the water equalize. It will also allow any ammonia that can occur when mixing new salt to dissipate.
You should also have a heater in the water and have it set so it is within two degrees of your main tank. Also make sure that you mix the replacement water so that it is exactly the same salinity as your display tank.
After your water is mixed and ready to go you should shut off all equipment in your tank. Make double sure to unplug your heater because a unsubmerged heater may turn on and get hot. When the colder aquarium water touches it it could shatter!
You must then siphon the old tank water out making sure to vacuum the gravel bed to remove settled debris or if you have live rock try and remove any settled debris from it.
A good way to do this is take a small power head and blow the rock off just before you drain the water from your aquarium.
After the water has been drained pour the new water in slowly making sure to not disturb the tanks decorations or gravel to much. At this time you may also want to change any filter pads or material so the tank get s a fresh clean start.
Try and change at least 25% of your tanks water every month and split it up into two or three smaller changes rather then one large one. This will lessen the stress on your saltwater fish.
For more Saltwater Aquarium Tips that will help you have a trouble free tank check out or marine aquarium guide? It will show you how to set up and care for your tank the right way. Learn more at http://www.saltwatermethods.com