Saltwater Fish Tanks

Algae are chlorophyll-containing groups of eukaryotic organisms that mainly live in aquatic environments. Rusty algae commonly grows in saltwater fish tanks, especially in new tanks. It isn't…

Ammonia, a chemical compound made up of nitrogen and hydrogen, is a tissue irritant for fish. It often causes gill hemorrhages, which reduce the fish's ability to absorb oxygen from the water. The…

The pH, or power of hydrogen, is a measure of acidity or alkalinity and is a constantly changing water-quality parameter for aquariums. The accepted pH range for saltwater aquariums is generally 8.1…

Saltwater fish include clown fish, blue tangs and butterfly fish that are popular because of their vibrant colors and exotic appearances. Despite their beauty and appeal, saltwater fish require a lot…

Though their names may sound similar, marine salt and aquarium salt are actually two very different products, each with specific purposes; they should never be used interchangeably. Marine salt is…

Salt can be used in fresh water tanks for live bearers, gold fish and other scaled fishes. When purchasing fish for your tank, ask the seller if the fish you select can tolerate salt. If you have fish…

Aquarium salt is a product that may be added to a fish tank to bring it to a therapeutic or treatment level of saltiness for freshwater fish. This product differs from table salt in that it lacks…

Fish hobbyists frequently use salt for both freshwater and saltwater (marine) fish species, and there is no difference between the basic salt used in freshwater aquariums and the salt used in…

Saltwater aquariums, like fresh water aquariums, need landscaping in order to be aesthetically pleasing. However, landscaping in a saltwater aquarium serves a much more important purpose. The live…

Georgia offers a diverse environment for a large group of mollusks. There are several different fresh and salt water varieties of mollusks. The most commonly found mollusks in this area of the United…

To maintain a balanced nitrogen aquarium cycle for your fish, it is important that nitrite levels are maintained at a low level, as nitrites are toxic and in large amounts can kill fish. The "nitrogen…

Sponges, known scientifically as phylum Porifera, and mollusks, or phylum Mollusca, are both invertebrates, meaning they have no back bones. Mollusks are the second most numerous of the invertebrates,…

The measure of a substance's acidity, pH levels range from 0 to 14. Higher numbers are more alkaline, while lower numbers are more acidic. Pure water has a pH of 7. Most fish prefer pH ranging from…

Water is a major part of every fish's life as it provides their environment, oxygen and hydration, among many other roles. When choosing and preparing water for your fish's aquarium, the most…

Saltwater aquariums add interest and serve as a dynamic focal point in any room. These aquariums are home to various types of marine organisms. Establishing a new saltwater aquarium requires that care…

The level of water in aquariums is affected by various factors. These include the types of filters that are being used and whether a sump has been incorporated. The species of aquatic creatures that…

Marine fish and invertebrate animals, such as sea anemones, are exquisitely beautiful and exhibit interesting behaviours. Many aquarists consider a marine aquarium to represent the ultimate in fish…

Saltwater fish and invertebrates, such as living corals and anemones, are fascinating creatures to keep in an aquarium. The best saltwater aquariums are correctly sized for the marine creatures they…

Specific gravity (SG) refers to the density of various ions in the water. These ions are made up primarily of salts and minerals. The more ions in the water (in other words, the denser the ions are…

Nitrite is part of the nitrogen cycle, in which fish waste and other organic matter are converted from toxic ammonia to relatively harmless nitrates. In a properly cycled aquarium, the nitrite levels…

A fish tank must maintain a certain amount of "good" bacteria that break down toxins harmful to fish in order to create a flourishing environment. A bacteria bed must be established in your biological…

Owning a saltwater aquarium gives fish enthusiasts the chance to simulate an ocean environment in their own home. While putting together a saltwater environment can be fun, it is important to be…

A saltwater aquarium can be home to a wide variety of aquatic organisms: fish, crustaceans, even invertebrates such as coral, anemones and sea stars. Many people think if you have salt and water in an…

Choosing the material is the first major decision for anyone buying an aquarium. The two most popular aquarium materials are traditional glass and modern acrylic. Acrylic has been gaining momentum as…

When considering what fish to add to your marine aquarium, you need to give careful consideration to whether the fish will be compatible. On top of environmental factors such as temperature, you need…

Although not always commercially available, mollusks are interesting additions to the salt water aquarium. These creatures make up a varied and plentiful group of invertebrates that are found in…

Knowing how to clean a saltwater tank is essential to keeping a saltwater species as a pet. Saltwater tanks take different considerations to maintain than freshwater tanks, so knowing how to take care…

Maybe your goldfish seems a little bored in its bowl-shaped habitat with river rock and a single plant. Maybe you're ready to invest in the salt water aquarium you've been thinking about for a long…

The breathtaking colors, bizarre shapes and interesting behavior of coral fishes and invertebrates, such as starfish, draw progressively more people to the hobby of marine aquarium keeping. Not all…

Copper enters your saltwater aquarium either because you have filled the tank with tap water from copper pipes or because you have given your fish medications that contain copper. Copper is a popular…

When considering aquarium size, most hobbyists select large tanks. This reasoning is sound, because the larger the volume of water an aquarium holds, the more stable the water chemistry will be.…

Artificial seawater is composed of more than just sodium chloride, also including additional minerals found in natural seawater. It is important to obtain a balance of these minerals in your tank.…

If you change your apartment or house from one side of town to another, or even across the country, it means you have to move your established saltwater fish tank as well. The fish and living plants…

White marble chips are commonly found in landscaping supply houses as well as in pet stores in the aquarium supply isle. All aquarium rock found in pet stores or specialty fish stores are guaranteed…

Detailing your water tank can be much like decorating your own room: it is all defined by your taste and your fish's needs. But don't limit your decorating to just plants and rocks when there are so…

Saltwater fish are usually captured from oceans and seas, where they have lived in a steady environment. There is a lot of maintenance to keeping up a saltwater tank, including the chemistry and…

Live rock is used in saltwater aquariums to help sustain life in the aquarium by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and small animals. When the rock is dried, the life found on the rock…

Adding a saltwater aquarium to your home or office is an exciting adventure. From choosing the fish to setting up its habitat, there is much involved--but that doesn't mean it can't be fun! Below is a…

There are many fish that do best in brackish water conditions. Brackish water is a mixture of sea water and fresh water, common where two bodies of water with the opposite composition meet. There are…

At first glance saltwater and freshwater aquariums appear to be quite similar. But other than holding fish, water and decorations they are quite different. The set up for each aquarium is different…

Saltwater tanks are the gold standard of aquariums. Brightly colored marine fish are beautiful and fun to watch. The adventurous hobbyist can even build a tropical mini-reef, complete with live coral…

Silk plants are a realistic alternative to real plants for aquariums. They are pretty and easy to clean and maintain. Fish love silk plants as many are very similar in texture and appearance to the…

Saltwater fish are exotic pets that require special care. The tank and accessories must be similar to the natural habitat of the fish. Fish that are not properly cared for will become stressed and…

Saltwater fish are among the most beautiful in the world, and setting up your own saltwater aquarium is an excellent way to bring that beauty into your home. While it is true that saltwater aquariums…

Although freshwater aquariums outnumber saltwater tanks, the saltwater aquarium hobby in the United States is gaining popularity, according to the University of Florida. Do not be intimidated by the…

A hydrometer is not only an extremely important piece of equipment for a saltwater aquarium owner, but it is often a much overlooked tool for many novice owners. Hydrometers simply measure the density…

A healthy saltwater tank should have no measurable amount of ammonia. Ammonia is the chemical produced from decaying organic matter such as fish waste and food. Ammonia is highly toxic to fish and…

Algae in a saltwater fish tank are a necessity for a healthy ecosystem for your fish. However, the algae can quickly get out of hand, leading to a tank overrun with brown algae that must be removed.…

Since not all saltwater species coexist happily in an aquarium environment, saltwater aquariums are categorized into several different types of systems based on the species living in the tank and how…

Setting up and maintaining a saltwater fish tank can be difficult, and it is best to stay away from finicky fish unless you are very experienced. Saltwater fish are expensive and are fished in the…

"Substrate" is simply a fancy word for what you put on the bottom of your aquarium. For most reef aquarists, live sand is the substrate of choice, but crushed coral or gravel may be used with or…

Although they have a reputation for being harder to take care of than freshwater tanks, having a saltwater fish tank in your home can be a dream come true for any fish enthusiast. Building one…

Saltwater fish are very popular with advanced aquarium hobbyists, but because they are relatively difficult to care for and are generally far more expensive that freshwater fish, many pet shops do not…

Maintaining a saltwater aquarium can be a very difficult task and is not often recommended for beginners. There are many different observations that must be made daily and measurements that must be…

Non-iodized mineral salt--sometimes sold commerically as "aquarium salt"--can sometimes be a useful addition to a saltwater aquarium. But while there are some benefits associated with the…

Finding worms in your salt water tank can be quite alarming, but while they may not be the prettiest things in your tank, most worms don't pose a threat to your fish or the other critters in your…

Saltwater aquariums are popular for their ability to house vibrant fish that thrive in a sea water environment. Requiring a bit more maintenance that their freshwater alternative, one of the most…

When buying saltwater fish, it's important to understand that the setup, care and maintenance of saltwater fish is much more involved than with typical fresh water fish, such as a goldfish or guppy.…

There are many different types of filtration devices that can be used to filter saltwater fish tanks. One popular system uses activated charcoal to absorb chemicals and other pollutants from the…

Copper is used in saltwater fish tanks to treat certain illnesses, such as ich. However, copper is unsafe for reef tanks that contain invertebrates, so removing this chemical before adding any…

Saltwater aquascaping -- the practice of decorating a marine aquarium -- is a challenging and rewarding hobby. Saltwater aquascapes often reflect a coral reef ecosystem for two reasons: the majority…

Setting up a saltwater aquarium is simple, but requires more expensive equipment than when setting up a fresh water aquarium. A properly set-up and maintained marine tank can lead to hours of…

In aquarium terms, R/O water is water that has passed through a reverse osmosis filtration system. This type of filtration system removes impurities and heavy metals from the water, making it safer…

Saltwater fish tanks can enthrall and relax with vivid colors and quirky animals. They can also be a lesson in chemistry. The constant measuring and supplementing can be challenging but also…

One of the easiest ways to diversify your fish collection is to switch from a freshwater aquarium to a saltwater aquarium. While this may sound like a daunting and complicated task, in reality it is…

The aquarium hobby can be educational and rewarding, but many beginners wonder if a freshwater or saltwater aquarium is the best choice. It is important to weigh the pros and cons of both options,…

Setting up a saltwater aquarium requires some preparation to be successful. Education about the proper techniques for maintaining a saltwater tank helps create a hardy, beautiful aquarium.

Saltwater tanks have been known to be less maintenance friendly than freshwater tanks. Yet saltwater tanks can host a larger variety of aqua-life such as corals, mussels and exotic fish. You may find…

A saltwater fish tank can be a stunning showpiece in a living room or den. A saltwater tank is generally more expensive than a freshwater aquarium and requires more maintenance. The types of fish and…

When deciding to set up an aquarium, you'll inevitably be faced with the question as to whether you want to invest in a freshwater or saltwater setup. While both have advantages and disadvantages,…

Aquarium ownership is a hobby that's not only educational, but therapeutic as well. Freshwater aquariums contain animal and plant life that are found in fresh water sources, and saltwater aquariums…

Saltwater fish tanks are beautiful and can include fish, coral, sea invertebrates, and other marine life. While many people like the idea of having a saltwater tank, they are much more difficult to…

Salt water fish tanks require very specific care, and how long the lights are left on is a common concern. The idea is to mimic the natural periods of lightness and darkness in the ocean with your…

When looking for a saltwater fish tank, it's important to find something with a large strainer so that fish won't be stuck in the pump. Discover how to clean and maintain fish tank pumps, or power…

The lighting for a saltwater fish tank should have a standard fluorescent hood with a normal output bulb. Find out how to identify a normal output bulb for a fish-only tank with help from the owner of…

When starting a saltwater fish tank, some of the equipment needed includes a stand, a cover and a light. Learn about using salt mix and a mixing bucket solely for a fish tank with help from the owner…

Saltwater aquariums are increasingly popular because they're eye-catching. A variety of specimens, including fish, coral, live rock and invertebrates like sea urchins and anemones make up saltwater…

A saltwater aquarium setup includes a standard fish tank and filter but uses sand or crushed coral substrate. Setup a saltwater aquarium with tips from the manager of a fish pet store in this free…

Many people would love to have a saltwater aquarium, but don't know where to start. Here, we will go over the basics of what you will need to choose the right sized tank for your new hobby. Also,…

If you have a saltwater aquarium, you need to make sure you have the proper lighting for your fish and plants. You can find and purchase this lighting on the Internet, at an independent pet store, or…

When starting a new aquarium you should test the water every four to five days. Test an established tank at least monthly, but more frequently is recommended for some tests. Monitor your aquarium…

Salt water fish tanks require more maintenance than fresh water models. You just can't go to the beach and fill your tank with water. For your fish to thrive, follow these steps when you are ready to…

The vast variety of corals and the many stores that sell them make it essential to know what you're looking for before you enter the store. Knowing how to choose a coral for a saltwater fish tank will…