| g an aquarium is a fun hobby for many, and it brings | | | | The saltwater aquarium is more complex to maintain |
| so much color and life into the room that it is placed | | | | and requires a lot more maintenance and hard work. |
| in. Before you go out and buy one, you need to | | | | With the saltwater tank the salt in the water needs |
| decide whether this is a casual or serious hobby, and | | | | to be regulated along with its PH level and |
| how much time you are willing to put into maintaining | | | | temperature. You should also place living rocks into |
| the water balance of the tank. | | | | the saltwater aquarium for about two months to get |
| There are two main types of aquariums, the | | | | the bacteria cycle going, as rocks have the good |
| saltwater and the freshwater aquarium. Saltwater fish | | | | bacteria present on their surface. Once the bacteria |
| of course survive in a saltwater environment, while | | | | level has built up, then set up the filter. Thereafter |
| freshwater fish need fresh purified water. Obviously, | | | | the tank is ready for saltwater fish. |
| if you put freshwater fish in a saltwater tank it will | | | | For more color and variation in your saltwater tank, |
| not survive, as saltwater fish need the saltwater | | | | you can add corals or anemones. These are living |
| environment and would "suffocate" in freshwater. | | | | plants that have to be hand fed by placing the food |
| The freshwater aquarium is easier to maintain than | | | | above them and they then curl their tentacles around |
| the saltwater aquarium, and setting it up is quite | | | | the food and bring the food into their mouth. |
| simple, with all that is needed are a filter, heater, | | | | Do not put in the saltwater tank fish that eat the |
| thermometer and lights. You need to leave the tank | | | | anemones, or bigger fish that may eat the smaller |
| cycling for about four weeks to cultivate the bacteria | | | | fish. Some saltwater fish are also poisonous, so |
| cycle, and also to keep the ammonia level down. The | | | | beware. Saltwater aquariums are only for the serious |
| fresh water must not contain any chlorine or | | | | as it takes a lot of work to get the water conditions |
| ammonia, because ammonia is deadly to the fish as it | | | | just right, namely the saltwater, temperature and the |
| makes breathing very difficult. | | | | PH must be at a safe level. |
| Once your tank is set up you can start out with | | | | Regardless of which type of aquarium you choose, |
| smaller species of fish, until you become more | | | | they are bound to brighten up your room and make |
| experienced, after which you can move onto bigger | | | | it much more vibrant. |
| species of fish. | | | | |