| Over the course of the first 4 to 6 weeks your tank | | | | be enough light for the green algae to out-compete |
| will demonstrate the typical cycling process. During | | | | the diatoms. |
| this critical time, you should carefully watch the | | | | After the tank completes cycling, it will be time for |
| ammonia and nitrites in the tank. If the fish look | | | | your first major water change. Although the amount |
| stressed (darting around the tank, gasping for air, or | | | | of water you change is really up to you, it should be |
| not moving at all), a partial water change might be in | | | | a significant portion of the water. Something like 40 |
| order. If the fish look really bad, they may have to | | | | to 50%, with 100% of the water not being |
| be moved to another tank or storage location until | | | | uncommon. When changing the water, the gravel |
| the toxicity of the tank is reduced. You should | | | | should also be cleaned. There are many commercially |
| always keep salt mix and de-chlorinated water on | | | | available gravel cleaners on the market. |
| hand for impromptu water changes. | | | | The chemistry of the change water should be as |
| Along with monitoring ammonia and nitrites, you | | | | close to the tank's water as possible. The pH should |
| should keep a careful eye on the pH (you should | | | | be within 0.2 and the temperature should be within |
| always watch the pH, not just during the cycling | | | | 1-2 degrees. It is better to have the change water |
| process). The pH will tend to fall over time and will | | | | warmer than cooler (imagine the shock of a cold |
| need to be raised. The easiest way to raise the pH is | | | | shower and you will know how your fish will react to |
| through additions of sodium bicarbonate (i.e., baking | | | | cooler change water). |
| soda). Fish supply stores also supply various products | | | | Saltwater fish need varied diets. Alternating between |
| for this purpose. Mix a tablespoon or so of baking | | | | cut up shrimp and clam, flake food and frozen/live |
| soda in a cup of de-chlorinated water and slowly add | | | | brine shrimp makes a good combination. |
| it to the tank. Slowly means over the course of an | | | | Keeping a quarantine tank is especially important for |
| hour or two. Baking soda will cause a short term drop | | | | saltwater tanks. It can be very difficult to treat a |
| in the pH, but will bring the pH to 8.2 over time. | | | | sick fish when it is continually being harassed by |
| As time marches on, water will evaporate from the | | | | healthier fish. Also, some medications, namely copper, |
| tank and need to be replenished. The water that | | | | will kill invertebrates. You should NEVER put copper |
| evaporates is fresh water and needs to be replaced | | | | into your main tank. Contrary to popular belief, you |
| with fresh water. You should never use saltwater for | | | | will never be able to get all of the copper out of the |
| makeup water (unless you want to increase the | | | | tank. Also, using copper in a tank which contains live |
| salinity of the tank). | | | | rock will decimate the life forms populating the rock, |
| As the tank matures, algae will start to grow (usually | | | | as most of them are invertebrates. |
| around week 2 or 3). Typically brown algae, | | | | The best water purifiers on the market are reverse |
| otherwise known as diatoms, will be the first algae | | | | osmosis units. These, coupled with de-ionizing resins, |
| that show up in the tank. Brown algae will usually | | | | produce water which is 98% pure. If the price of a |
| cover everything in the tank and need to be cleaned | | | | RO/DI combination is too much, then you can always |
| every week or so. With time green algae should | | | | use distilled water (not spring water). However, |
| overtake the diatoms and the brown algae will | | | | distilled water may have been stored in copper |
| disappear all together. If it doesn't, there might not | | | | containers which will kill invertebrates. |