How To

How to Maintain a Saltwater Tank

By Rachael Gerkensmeyer, eHow Editor
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Nothing can be more relaxing than a salt water aquarium. This is due to the fact that there is something appealing and calming in watching beautiful fish swim around in their environment. In addition the sounds of the gurgling water beautifully reflecting the glow of small wattage light adds to the calming effect. Also, with a salt water tank the enjoyment of the fish in the tank can be further enhanced due to the various brightly colored and exotic tropical fish that can be placed in the tank. Read on to learn how to maintain a saltwater tank.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Observe the tank frequently. This simply means that you should observe it on a daily basis for just a couple of minutes to make sure the fish are behaving normal and the water in the tank looks OK.

  2. Step 2

    Perform a number of safety checks at least once a week. These safety checks should include the cleaning of the protein skimmer receptacle, and observing the water temperature as well as monitoring the aquarium’s equipment. An example of equipment to monitor is the pump. It is important to listen for any variations in sounds that may deviate from the norm. This could be an indicator that the pump may be breaking down.

  3. Step 3

    Monitor the water levels once a week. It is important to understand that the tendency of water is to evaporate. Therefore, at least once a week it’s important to replace any lost water by replacing it to the recommended level.

  4. Step 4

    Remove any build up of algae everyday, or as needed. It's also important to keep the aquarium free from salt buildup, so the build should be removed on a consistent basis as well.

  5. Step 5

    Finally, make sure that a partial water exchange is routinely accomplished on a weekly basis. A partial water exchange helps to make sure that the level of salinity is maintained within the tank. It’s important to monitor the process and make sure that the exchange between fresh water and the salt water are functioning at the proper level. Generally, this level is at 10 to 25 of the tank’s capacity.

Tips & Warnings
  • Routinely check for fish that may have died.
  • Replace bulbs every six months.

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