Saltwater Aquarium FAQ, Some Ineresting Info
Here are some interesting saltwater aquarium FAQ or frequently asked questions that turn out are very common.
When comparing saltwater fish and freshwater fish, there are a number of things to take into account. Let’s start from the beginning and examine where these different species come from.
Rivers, ponds, streams and lakes are homes for freshwater fish. On the other hand, saltwater fish come from oceans and seas. The latter doesn’t adapt as well to temperature and chemical changes. They are also collected from their original source rather than from a farming situation) and cost more due to, among other things, shipping.
Saltwater inhabitants prefer a bigger tank, usually in the range of thirty to fifty-five gallons. The bigger the tank, the easier it is to maintain a crucial chemical balance needed for these types of species to survive.
As for the amount of fish per tank, there are many different theories with respect to measuring this ratio. A simple one to follow is one fish for every five gallons of saltwater. Although it is possible to house more fish than this ratio, it is best to stick with this number, especially in new tanks or in aquariums with a minimal filtration system. A less than adequate filter can cause raised levels of ammonia, phosphates and nitrates, all of which can be extremely bad for your saltwater
Saltwater fish do not react as well as freshwater fish do in overcrowded and chemically imbalanced situations. With respect to the former scenario, overcrowding can bring out the worst in territorial, aggressive fish leading to very unpleasant circumstances. Be careful.
Both freshwater and saltwater fish can be fed safely twice daily. If your food is sinking to the bottom after a minute or so, you’re probably giving your inhabitants too much.
Spreading out the length of time (within a feeding) that fish can eat will provide herbivores and carnivores in your tank with the right conditions for maximum nutrition. Interestingly enough, herbivores have a longer digestive track than carnivores. This makes the digestion of algae and its protein extraction a longer process. Carnivores have a shorter digestive tract and a shorter protein extract process than herbivores do.
As a final note, fish and invertebrates can live in the same tank. However, this type of situation does invite many associated problems. Reef fish are beautiful, but some are carnivores that feed on invertebrates or live coral. Also, diseases, some of which can be very hard to eradicate (like ich) can become a reality in your aquarium. In the case of ich, the cell structures between invertebrates and parasites are similar enough that the effective treatments for ich will also kill the invertebrates.
Both saltwater fish and fresh water fish have their pros and cons. Saltwater tanks look extremely flashy, but they do require more care and attention.
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