Setting Up Your Marine Aquarium
The right kind of fish is often difficult to purchase when you are setting up a marine aquarium. One thing is for certain. If you’re a beginner, it’s best to stick with fish rather than jumping into the world of invertebrates. As for fish, they all have different needs and require different types of maintenance. For example, certain species thrive on live food while others are not as dependent on this type of nutrition. Then again, there are some fish that need established water chemistry in order to thrive. In other words, they adapt better to an aquarium that has been in existence for a while, rather than a brand new one.
The trick in getting started is to pick species that are hearty. The last thing that you want is a group of temperamental fishes in a brand new aquarium tank. In addition to researching different species of fish, a technical support staff member in a reputable fish store is a valuable assistant in helping with your first hearty fish purchases.
So how many fish should you keep in your saltwater aquarium? Perhaps a better question is: What specifications determine the amount of fish that you can keep in my tank? The weight of the marine animal, the type of substrate, the water temperature, and various water quality parameters all factor in. However, in simple terms, here’s a rule of thumb: two inches of animal for every ten gallons of water. For example, a twenty gallon tank can hold no more than two to three fish about two to three inches in size.
Can’t fish all just get along? No! Some are rather playful, and others are very territorial and challenging. Coral reef fishes tend to be more territorial. This behavior is magnified when these fishes are in closer confinement in a fish tank. Once again, knowing your species and their behavioral characteristics is gold. Often, the amount of a particular species that you purchase depends on the skill at which you provide boundaries and hiding spots in you aquarium. These are important in making for a compatible coexistence between particular species.
When you are finally at the point of purchasing a few fish, look for signs of ill health like labored breathing, sluggishness or difficulty in swimming. Another sign to look for is good clarity in the eyes of a fish, rather than a cloudy look. Reddened lesions and other ominous discolorations are also red flags. The fins of the fish should also be clear and intact without frayed areas. Frayed fins could be caused by a fight with another fish in the tank or a bacterial.
PH and temperature level should be closely monitored in the first few weeks of your functioning tank, or in the first few weeks after new fish purchases. Purchasing correct fish for your tank go hand in hand with his monitoring process, with the result being aesthetically pleasing saltwater aquariums filled with fish that will give you much pleasure in your life.
