How to Build a Salt Water Aquarium

Clown Fish

Fish keeping is quickly becoming a popular hobby. Deciding between keeping salt water and fresh water fish can be difficult and may depend on the amount of money (and time) that you are willing to invest. But having a salt water aquarium doesn't have to be too much more work or too expensive. Read on to learn how to build a salt water aquarium.

Things You'll Need

• Fish tank (aquarium)
• Water
• Light fixture
• Water filter
• Thermometer
• Heater
• Salt
• Chemical testing kit
• Algae scrubber
• Fish net
• Bucket
• Fish
• Coral

Instructions

Decisions

1. 

   Decide what kind of salt water aquarium you want to o. You can choose between a reef, fish or combo tank. The reef tank is exclusively for coral. The fish tank can have all sorts of marine life forms including fish, shell fish, crabs or even mussels. The combo tank has both fish and coral and might be a little more like a piece of the ocean than any exclusive tank.

2. 

   Decide on the size. There really isn't a specific "salt water" tank, you just need to decide how big of a fish tank you want. Your decision on Step 1 might affect your choices here. If you want a combo tank, then you need to get a decent sized aquarium (20 to 40 gallons); if you just want a reef or fish tank, then you could have any tank size you wish, including tiny (8 to10 gallons) tanks that are called nano tanks.

Research

1. 

   Research the kind of fish and/or coral that you want to keep. This section could be done along side with Section 1 because your research might influence your decisions. However, you cannot skip this section because this is one of the most important steps at starting and keeping a successful salt water aquarium. You want to make sure that you are well aware of the kind of fish and/or coral that you will buy. Some fish have temperature requirements, or temperaments that do not mix well with other fish. Also, some fish can be really expensive, really difficult to find, or really hard to keep (or all three). Warning, some fish can even be dangerous.

2. 

   Research all the other things that you need to buy. If you research the different kinds of filters, light fixtures and salt water tank accessories, then you might not be fooled into spending more money than you need to once you go to the store to buy all your supplies. Remember, your decisions on step one can help you with your decisions at the store. If you have a fish only tank, you don't need to buy a light fixture that has been specially designed for reef tanks and so on.

Putting It All Together

1. 

   Shop for the best deal. By now you should have done your research and made your decisions so this should be easy. The easiest way to get all the things you need is to go to a local fish store and buy all the stuff there. Some big, chain pet stores might carry most of what you need but they might be a little more expensive. If you find a good local fish store, you might also find some fish enthusiast that can give you hints and help you out. Do not buy any fish or coral yet. I know its really tempting to get your fish as soon as possible, but you need to hold off, buying fish or coral now can mean failure.

2. 

   Put it all together. Now that you bought all the essentials make sure you start with building your aquarium. First get the fish tank and rinse it. You don't need wash it, and you definitely don't want to put any soap in it but rinse it off.

3. 

   Add sand, gravel or any other decorations you might have bought for your tank. If you didn't buy any then just go to Step 4.

4. 

   Fill it up. Now you can add the water and the salt into your tank. Make sure that you read the instructions on the aquarium salt or the recommendations you found while researching your fish or coral.

5. 

   Now put the filter in, the heater, thermometer and any other accessory you might have bought for your tank. These things should not require any extra assembly, but if they do, make sure that you follow the instructions that come with that particular item.

Cycling Water and Getting the Fish

1. 

   Cycle the water. You haven't bought any fish or coral yet and that is because you need to make sure that the water is ready for your livestock. Fish, just like all other animals, need bacteria to survive. If you put delicate salt water fish into a brand new aquarium, they could die from stress. You need to allow your tank to accumulate some of that bacteria by running it with just the water for about six days.

2. 

   Get your fish or coral. You can finally go out and get your fish. If you want to be on the safe side, take a water sample to your local fish store for sampling. Remember that aquariums have a population limit so don't buy too many fish or coral.

3. 

   Acclimate the fish. Before you just throw your fish into the water, make sure that you let them get used to your tank by letting the plastic bag you bought them in float at the top of your tank for 15 to 20 minutes.

4. 

   Let the fish out and watch them explore their new home. Once the water is cycled and the fish are acclimated, just let them free and sit back and watch them. Some fish might react funny but that is normal. If you don't see them get better after a day, contact the shop you bought them at and ask for help.

Tips & Warnings

• Look for a local fish shop, they will be willing to help with any questions you might have.

• Some fish can be too dangerous to keep.

• Do not buy fish or coral until you've cycled the water!