| How many of you, who are new to the hobby of | | | | making it worth its weight in gold! I have no |
| keeping a marine aquarium, have quickly become | | | | hesitation in recommending my favorite book, |
| disheartened and disillusioned when your hobby | | | | "Ultimate Secrets To Saltwater Aquarium Fish and |
| doesn't go the way you planned? If you are being | | | | Invertebrates" The author, Andrej Brummer, will |
| honest, I'd say at least 60% of you! Let me tell you, | | | | teach you how to optimally set up a saltwater fish |
| I was one too! | | | | aquarium and maintain a pristine environment for your |
| I very nearly gave up keeping a saltwater fish | | | | fish and corals. His detailed book covers everything |
| aquarium, as I made some terrible blunders in my | | | | the novice right through to the experienced, needs |
| quest to have that stunning reef aquarium. In my | | | | to know. |
| eagerness to launch my hobby, I spend a lot of | | | | 3. TIPS FOR SETTING UP your saltwater fish |
| money on equipment and fish, only to discover that I | | | | aquarium. |
| should have done my research beforehand. These | | | | Locate your fish tank out of direct sunlight and in |
| mistakes cost me more time, more money, more | | | | a well ventilated space. |
| effort and were a sure-fire way of stealing my | | | | Always buy the biggest aquarium you can afford. |
| natural enthusiasm for my hobby. I got there in the | | | | Bigger aquariums are easier to maintain and keep |
| end, but had I known then what I know now, my | | | | healthy. |
| journey would have been far easier, far more cost | | | | Select a quality biological filtration system. This is |
| efficient and with a great deal less effort. | | | | essential to water quality. |
| So here are 4 pieces of vital advice that you should | | | | Understand your fish and invertebrate lighting |
| heed before you embark on this most rewarding | | | | and heating requirements and purchase the correct |
| hobby. This advice is relevant for anyone regardless | | | | equipment to provide for their needs. Corals are |
| of experience, because at one time or another you | | | | particularly dependent on specific lighting and will not |
| may set up a saltwater fish aquarium. | | | | survive if it is not provided for. |
| 1. DECIDE EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT. Do you | | | | 4. CYCLE YOUR AQUARIUM before adding your |
| want fish only? Do you want fish only with live rock? | | | | marine life. Biological cycling is nature's way of |
| Do you want a reef aquarium? Do you want jellyfish? | | | | recycling waste which would otherwise build up to |
| Decide! Each choice has different equipment and | | | | toxic levels and kills all marine life. If your saltwater |
| setup requirements and being clear on what you | | | | fish aquarium is not cycled properly before you |
| want will ensure that you get it right. A "fish only" | | | | introduce fish and invertebrates, you will find that the |
| aquarium is good for beginners. You can later convert | | | | water will not remain optimal, resulting in your marine |
| it to reef aquarium by adding what you need. A reef | | | | creatures stressing and becoming ill. All marine |
| aquarium consisting of mostly corals, invertebrates | | | | creatures have evolved in the ocean, which is a very |
| and one or two fish requires complex lighting and | | | | stable environment. The ocean has enormous water |
| organization. | | | | buffering capacity because of its large size (this |
| 2. DO YOUR RESEARCH! Get some good quality | | | | means stable pH levels, temperature, oxygen, specific |
| guide books. The outlay you spend on quality | | | | gravity, nitrate and other chemicals). The key here is |
| information is only a minute fraction of what you | | | | high-quality, stable saltwater, which is actually easy to |
| need to outlay for your saltwater aquarium setup. A | | | | achieve! Learn about water quality and how to |
| quality guide will save you money down the track | | | | correctly cycle your aquarium before you start. |