| #ffffff;" /> | | | | aquarium setup will hold by stocking one inch of fish |
| Following on from our introduction to saltwater | | | | per four gallons of water for a period of six months. |
| aquariums this segment is designed to give you some | | | | After this period increase the number of fish slowly |
| idea of a typical saltwater aquarium setup. | | | | to one inch per two gallons. This means that a 40 |
| The type of saltwater aquarium setup you choose | | | | gallon aquarium should not contain more than 10 |
| depends on a few factors. For example, the kinds of | | | | inches of fish for the first six months. |
| species you want to stock, the space you have | | | | So, for example, you might choose one 3-inch queen |
| available, and your budget. In general you will want to | | | | angel, two 1-inch clownfish, one 2-inch regal tang, one |
| buy the biggest saltwater aquarium setup you can | | | | 1-inch bicolor blenny and two 1-inch Beau |
| afford that will fit nicely into your living environment. | | | | Gregory’s. Once the six month period is over |
| This is so that your fish and other animals can have | | | | you could increase the total number of inches in your |
| the most comfort possible as they grow. The fish | | | | saltwater aquarium setup to 20. |
| and other invertebrates that you choose to stock | | | | Of course, your fish are going to grow so you have |
| your tank with need enough space to swim and | | | | to adjust for the changing sizes of your fish. The |
| grow in and enough oxygen to survive. When you | | | | shape of your fish is also important. If your fish are |
| choose a saltwater aquarium setup remember that | | | | likely to be on the heavy side you will need to stick |
| these two factors are determined mainly by the size | | | | to the low end of the capacity of your saltwater |
| of the tank. | | | | aquarium setup. |
| So let’s talk about the oxygen component of | | | | A saltwater aquarium setup will cost you time and |
| a saltwater aquarium setup. The amount of oxygen | | | | money so accept this and don’t skimp. Even |
| in the water is related to the tanks surface area. This | | | | if you devote considerable time and effort to a small |
| means the amount of area on the tank’s | | | | tank you can still encounter problems. If you choose |
| surface that is exposed to the air. The greater the | | | | the wrong one initially you will probably end up having |
| surface area of your saltwater aquarium setup, the | | | | to buy another one and this may be discouraging. In |
| more room there is for exchange of oxygen to | | | | short, if you don’t have the money to buy a |
| happen at the surface. | | | | tank that’s at least 30 gallons, don’t |
| The more oxygen that is allowed to enter the tank | | | | invest any money at all. |
| and the more harmful gases like carbon dioxide are | | | | When you choose a saltwater aquarium setup there |
| allowed to leave the healthier your saltwater | | | | are many options. You can choose from glass and |
| aquarium setup will be. The oxygen content of the | | | | acrylic and you can even get reef-ready styles |
| water is also influenced by its temperature. In | | | | complete with pre-drilled holes for equipment and |
| general, the warmer the water, the lower the | | | | plumbing. Glass tanks sealed with silicon rubber |
| oxygen content will be. | | | | cement are a common choice. Rectangle designs are |
| Most marine species from the tropics like water that | | | | popular but they are also found in octagon and |
| is 75 degrees or higher so this means that less | | | | hexagon. They are non-toxic and don’t |
| oxygen is going to be available to them. This is when | | | | scratch easily. |
| it becomes important to increase the surface of the | | | | The downside to a glass saltwater aquarium setup is |
| tank by making sure your saltwater aquarium setup is | | | | that they are heavy. This means that large tanks will |
| as large as possible. | | | | have very thick glass. Try to find one with a plastic |
| How do you do this? There is no typical saltwater | | | | frame that will make the tank more stable. Plated |
| aquarium setup. Marine tanks come in a variety of | | | | glass is shatterproof but not as strong as tempered. |
| shapes and size, but it is the shape of the tank, not | | | | An acrylic saltwater aquarium setup is molded with |
| its volume that influences surface area. This means | | | | few seams so they are more transparent. However |
| that even where two tanks have identical volumes | | | | your view may still be distorted at the corners. |
| they might not have the same surface area | | | | Acrylic tanks are not as heavy as glass and so come |
| depending on their shape. A saltwater aquarium setup | | | | in a wider variety of shapes and sizes. Acrylic is also |
| that is tall and slender won’t get a good rate | | | | stronger than glass. On the downside acrylic tanks |
| of gas exchange. An ideal design would be one that | | | | can get scratched and are more expensive than |
| is short and wide. | | | | glass. They are easily scratched by algae scrapers |
| Once you’ve chosen your tank its time to | | | | and decorations. It is possible to buff these marks |
| start thinking about its residents. Of course the size | | | | out with a special kit. |
| of your tank is going to dictate how many fish and | | | | Whichever saltwater aquarium setup you choose |
| invertebrates it can house. The main thing to avoid in | | | | make sure it provides a healthy environment for your |
| your saltwater aquarium setup is overcrowding. Too | | | | fish. You also need to make sure that you can afford |
| many inhabitants and your tank’s filtration | | | | to maintain it properly and that it suits your lifestyle |
| system will be overloaded. Fish living in cramped | | | | and available time. Once you have everything set up |
| conditions become stressed and this can lead to | | | | correctly you will be able to enjoy the colorful antics |
| illness and death. | | | | and shapes of your fishy friends, corals and other |
| You can calculate how many fish your saltwater | | | | invertebrates. |