A Guide For Setting Up Saltwater Aquariums (Parts II + III)

What Equipment is Needed ?Now that we aresystem thriving. A good size tank is around 55
comfortable with the basic factors of a saltwatergallons. As a note, scrutinize hoods carefully. Many
aquarium, let's look into what is needed to run aof them are designed for 48" tanks, but require
successful tank. The components needed to run atwo 24" lamps rather than one 48" lamp. (24"
successful saltwater tank depends a lot on wholamps are usually more expensive than 48"
you talk to. You should never operate solelylamps.)Avoid Direct Exposure to SunlightOnce you
under the advice of one person. For example,have decided on a tank, make sure you have a
many people advocate using under gravel filtersplace to put it. The tank should not be in direct
for biological filtration. This however, must besunlight or in an area which is very drafty. Also,
tempered with wisdom. A saltwater tank runningmake very certain the stand will be capable of
an under gravel filter (UGF) with minimal circulationholding the weight of the tank, plus substrate, plus
will be much more work than a than a systemrocks, plus water. In total, a 55 gallon tank will
running a wet/dry filter and a couple of powerprobably weigh over 800 pounds.Selecting the
heads. Wet/Dry filters tend to require lessSubstrateAfter selecting the tank, consideration
maintenance, as UGF's tend to become cloggedmust be given to the substrate. It is best to use
over time.a calcareous substrate such as crushed coral or
Not to get too buried in details, the basicdolomite. These substrates will, at least initially,
components of a saltwater tankhelp buffer the water by adding ions to the
are:TankDecorationsfiltration (including proteinbuffering system. Generally the substrate should
skimming)lightingwatertest kits Size of Tanknot be so tiny as to get sucked into the filter or
One of the most important decisions in starting apumps, and not so large as to make the tank
saltwater aquarium will be the size of the tank.unsightly. Also, some fish (e.g., Gobies) like smaller
The basic rule of thumb is the bigger the better.grades of substrate over larger ones. Something
A larger tank will be easier to control and gives ain the 2-5mm department seems average. Live
bit more leeway for mistakes (which aresand is one substrate which has recently gained a
inevitable). The smallest tank for beginners shouldfair amount of publicity. This technology is really in
be no less than 20 gallons, with 55 gallons beingits infancy and is not recommended for beginners.
even better. For someone versed in fish keepingYou can find more information in the
(i.e., converting from fresh to saltwater), a 10 orARCHIVE.Filtration SystemAfter you select a
15 gallon tank will work, but is not suggested. Insubstrate, consider the filtration system you plan
general, fish like long, wide tanks. The moreto use. Your choice in filtration may impact the
surface area a tank has, the better the gasamount to substrate you need. A UGF or RUGF
exchange will be and the happier the fish willfilter should have about 2-3" (5cm) of medium
be.Fish DensitiesBefore finalizing on a tank size,grade (2-3mm) substrate covering the filter plate.
remember that fish densities are much lower forYou do not need substrate when you use
saltwater than freshwater. That is, you can notnon-UGF filters (e.g., hang-on-the-back power
put as many fish in a saltwater tank as you can infilters), but, most people use between a 1/2" to
a freshwater tank. Putting more than 2 saltwater1" for such tanks. It's interesting to note that too
fish in 10 gallon tank is asking for trouble. Amuch substrate in a non-UGF system might lead
general rule of thumb is 4" (10cm) ofto dead spots, which can kill your inhabitants (a
small-to-medium fish per 10 gallons, or 2" (5cm) ofplug for
larger/fast growing fish per 10 gallons. This is justregular gravel cleaning).Decorations Next, consider
a rough estimate of the number of fish. There isthe decorations, of which there are a cornucopia
no exact number since finding the stockingof choices. Dead coral, lava rock, tufa rock, live
density has to take into account the filtration,rock, and many more. Coral pieces are the most
maintenance, feeding schedule, etc.. Beyond thepopular, but are also some of the most
number of fish you wish to keep, the tank's sizeexpensive. Lava and tufa rock are inexpensive
will also affect your filtration and lighting choices,and may also be stacked to make interesting
both in cost and design. Tanks which are 48reef looking tanks. Live rock is one of those buzz
inches (122cm) long are usually cheaper to lightwords that people like to throw around and one
because the lamps are more readily available.which gets a lot of hype. Live rock is simply rock
However, the larger the tank, the more light youtaken from a reef system which has been
will need to provide your inhabitants. Moreover, apopulated by many different organisms.
larger tank needs efficient filtration to keep the