Comments on: How to Set Up a Saltwater Aquarium

on 10/30/2008 what will happen if i use tap water to start my saltwater aquarium, instead of dechlorinated or R/O water?

on 6/25/2008 Usually I use the best file searcher- http://megaupload.name/

on 6/19/2007 I just started a salt water fish tank about 3 weeks ago.
Everything in the tank is turning black w/ algea, even the gravel. What can I do

Helpless in Hawaii

on 6/17/2007 Its been about 3 weeks now since I started my salt water tank. I have a about 4 damsels in my 20 gallon tank. The walls of the tank is starting to turn black w/ I guess looks like algea. And everthing else in the tank has algea growing on it. What can I do ?

Bryan from Hawaii 06/17/07

on 12/16/2006 Poss - You can use water from the ocean. I did it for a 1000 gallon reef system in college. You don't water from the beach, you need to collect it further out to avoid contamination.

on 12/20/2006 is it ok to use salt water from the beach or clean river mouth to start an aquarium.

on 3/28/2006 I really though my 65 gallon tank was level, something happened and I had 65 gallons of saltwater leaking all over the floor. I read again and again on set ups, you are the only site that said anything about 1/4 inch Styrofoam. I have replaced my tank and did get 1/4 Styrofoam.

on 6/11/2007 Make sure that you supply your saltwater aquarium with a good protein skimmer. A cheap one that does nothing serves no purpose and is pointless. Spend the extra 100 bucks if you can for a good protein skimmer. I promise it will be worth the money.

on 11/22/2005 Patience is a virtue! Do not rush the nitrogen cycle! If the cycle is rushed it will just come back and beat you in the end. Do not use chemicals to cycle the tank. Let the tank cycle naturally. If your tank is cycled naturally it will have a very strong background bacteria in case of a sudden crash in your system. When cycling your tank after the first 24 hours put in pre-cured live rock.
The live rock will help increase the biological bacteria's strength in your system. An average cycle is from 4-6 weeks. Be patient, it'll pay off in the end.

on 11/22/2005 Make sure you tank is level. Shims under your stand can help a ton with this.