How to Start a Saltwater Aquarium
Whether setting up a new aquarium, converting an existing tank from fresh to saltwater, or upgrading from a fish-only to a reef tank, it is important to plan ahead "before" you begin. Research the many system design options there are to choose from, what equipment and supplies are needed for each, and once you've got your system planned out, put it all together and set it up.
Plan a System (5)
Maintain the Aquarium @
Buy Books @
More Ways to Start & Set Up (11)
Select a Tank @
Moving Fish & Inverts (11)
Select a Filtration System @
Emergency Help!! @
Select Equipment & Supplies @
FAQs & How To's @
Select & Add Livestock @
Quick Reference Help Desk (476)
Cycle the Aquarium (24)
Cycling a Tank and Establishing the Biological Filter
There are a number of methods for establishing the biological filter (also known as cycling) in a saltwater aquarium. From what the "cycle" is to how to establish the biological filter in a saltwater aquarium.
There are a number of methods for establishing the biological filter (also known as cycling) in a saltwater aquarium. From what the "cycle" is to how to establish the biological filter in a saltwater aquarium.
So, You Want to Be a Marine Aquarist? Step 2: Filtration Decisions
So, You Want to Be a Marine Aquarist? Step 2: Filtration Decisions - Part 2 of a series by Don Carner - Choosing a filtration system for your saltwater aquarium.
So, You Want to Be a Marine Aquarist? Step 2: Filtration Decisions - Part 2 of a series by Don Carner - Choosing a filtration system for your saltwater aquarium.
So, You Want to Be a Marine Aquarist?
From About Saltwater Aquariums, Don Carner covers the first steps in getting started as a marine aquarist, beginning with choosing a location and selecting the tank, stand and hood.
From About Saltwater Aquariums, Don Carner covers the first steps in getting started as a marine aquarist, beginning with choosing a location and selecting the tank, stand and hood.
How Much for a 10 Gallon Mini-Reef Clownfish Tank?
Here's a list of items and how much it would cost to buy everything to set up a simple 10 gallon "Nemo and Friends" mini-reef aquarium.
Here's a list of items and how much it would cost to buy everything to set up a simple 10 gallon "Nemo and Friends" mini-reef aquarium.
Saltwater Aquariums 101 - Getting Started
The gateway page to the Saltwater Aquariums 101 class. The "Saltwater Aquarium 101 - Getting Started" E -course walks you through the process, one step at a time. Each lesson in the course gives the information you will need to make the right choice for your new aquarium. You can start at day one and follow through, day by day, or download all of the lessons and proceed at your own pace.
The gateway page to the Saltwater Aquariums 101 class. The "Saltwater Aquarium 101 - Getting Started" E -course walks you through the process, one step at a time. Each lesson in the course gives the information you will need to make the right choice for your new aquarium. You can start at day one and follow through, day by day, or download all of the lessons and proceed at your own pace.
E-Course - Saltwater Aquariums 101
E-Course - Saltwater Aquariums 101- Getting Started is an e-mail course for starting a saltwater aquarium. This course takes you, step by step, through selecting the right equipment and putting it all together as well as selecting and caring for your tank occupants.
E-Course - Saltwater Aquariums 101- Getting Started is an e-mail course for starting a saltwater aquarium. This course takes you, step by step, through selecting the right equipment and putting it all together as well as selecting and caring for your tank occupants.
10 Easy Aquarium Set Up Steps
Once you have planned out what kind of saltwater system you want and purchased everything needed to put it together, by using these 10 easy steps you can have your new aquarium set up and running in no time at all. Starting with Step 1, here's how to get the aquarium ready.
Once you have planned out what kind of saltwater system you want and purchased everything needed to put it together, by using these 10 easy steps you can have your new aquarium set up and running in no time at all. Starting with Step 1, here's how to get the aquarium ready.
10 Most Common Mistakes Made By Aquarium Keepers
No matter what kind of aquarium keeper you are or may become, basic saltwater, reef, or freshwater, here is a list of what are considered by your About.com Guides to Saltwater Aquariums to be the 10 most common mistakes that are made, which are problems that can be avoided if you are aware of what they are before you start an aquarium.
No matter what kind of aquarium keeper you are or may become, basic saltwater, reef, or freshwater, here is a list of what are considered by your About.com Guides to Saltwater Aquariums to be the 10 most common mistakes that are made, which are problems that can be avoided if you are aware of what they are before you start an aquarium.
Top Saltwater Aquarium Myths
Over the past few decades, the science of saltwater aquaria has increased by leaps and bounds. In spite of the new knowledge, many of the old myths which arose during the years of experimentation are still professed by some as facts. Here are some of the most popular myths which are still in circulation.
Over the past few decades, the science of saltwater aquaria has increased by leaps and bounds. In spite of the new knowledge, many of the old myths which arose during the years of experimentation are still professed by some as facts. Here are some of the most popular myths which are still in circulation.
Checklist of Items Needed to Start an Aquarium
Here's your Guides checklist of all the items that are needed to start a saltwater aquarium, other equipment and components that are considered optional, but recommended, and some things that are optional altogether.
Here's your Guides checklist of all the items that are needed to start a saltwater aquarium, other equipment and components that are considered optional, but recommended, and some things that are optional altogether.
What is a Reef Tank?
What is a Reef Tank? describes exactly what a reef tank is and how it differs from a Fish Only or Fish Only With Live Rock aquarium.
What is a Reef Tank? describes exactly what a reef tank is and how it differs from a Fish Only or Fish Only With Live Rock aquarium.
Top 10 1 to 50 Gallon Aquariums
Whether you are a beginner looking for your first tank, or an experienced aquarist contemplating creating a quick and easy micro or mini reef tank or a refugium, one of these top pick aquariums between 1 to 50 gallons in size might work for you.
Whether you are a beginner looking for your first tank, or an experienced aquarist contemplating creating a quick and easy micro or mini reef tank or a refugium, one of these top pick aquariums between 1 to 50 gallons in size might work for you.
Small Aquariums - 40 Gallons or Less Keys to Success
Although you may decide to set up an aquarium less than 40 gallons in size, any seasoned aquarist will tell you that the larger the volume of water you are dealing with, the better. The main reason? Because there are fewer concerns with environmental changes occurring rapidly. Before you put together a small saltwater aquarium, look at these important keys to success you should know about.
Although you may decide to set up an aquarium less than 40 gallons in size, any seasoned aquarist will tell you that the larger the volume of water you are dealing with, the better. The main reason? Because there are fewer concerns with environmental changes occurring rapidly. Before you put together a small saltwater aquarium, look at these important keys to success you should know about.
Reef Safe Fish List
Not all fish are "reef safe". There are those that will pick at and eat corals, consume other fishes, munch down various types of crustaceans and invertebrates, as well as some that can quickly destroy an aquarium due to their size. Here is a species list of fish that are generally considered by experienced aquarium keepers to be safe for reef tanks.
Not all fish are "reef safe". There are those that will pick at and eat corals, consume other fishes, munch down various types of crustaceans and invertebrates, as well as some that can quickly destroy an aquarium due to their size. Here is a species list of fish that are generally considered by experienced aquarium keepers to be safe for reef tanks.
10 Easy Corals For Your New Reef Tank
Many novice (and experienced) saltwater aquarists are a bit leery about starting a Reef Tank, in fear that all of their corals will just die. Some corals are hard to keep while some species are fairly forgiving, making them good "starter corals". Here are some "beginner" corals which are considered easy to keep in a tank.
Many novice (and experienced) saltwater aquarists are a bit leery about starting a Reef Tank, in fear that all of their corals will just die. Some corals are hard to keep while some species are fairly forgiving, making them good "starter corals". Here are some "beginner" corals which are considered easy to keep in a tank.
Reef Safe Invertebrates
Not all invertebrates are "reef safe". Many of them will tear up corals, consume fish and otherwise destroy other tank inhabitants. The invertebrates listed here are some (not all by any means) generally considered by experienced reef tank keepers to be safe for reef tanks.
Not all invertebrates are "reef safe". Many of them will tear up corals, consume fish and otherwise destroy other tank inhabitants. The invertebrates listed here are some (not all by any means) generally considered by experienced reef tank keepers to be safe for reef tanks.
BYB Mini-Aquarium Kit Considerations
Smaller is not always easier, or better, so before you buy a mini-aquarium kit, here are some important things you should consider about these compact all-in-one systems, because they are not for everyone.
Smaller is not always easier, or better, so before you buy a mini-aquarium kit, here are some important things you should consider about these compact all-in-one systems, because they are not for everyone.
Stan & Debbie's Step-By-Step 92 Gallon Reef Tank Set Up Process
A large reef aquarium is something we your Guides Stan and Debbie had dreamed of for a long time. After much planning and having saved for this system, here is a step-by-step outline that simply shows you how we set up our 92 gallon reef tank. By using pictures and explaining each step of the process from start to finish, you can clearly see what we did to put it all together, which is something anyone can do just as easily with any size and style aquarium desired. To begin, here is a list of...
A large reef aquarium is something we your Guides Stan and Debbie had dreamed of for a long time. After much planning and having saved for this system, here is a step-by-step outline that simply shows you how we set up our 92 gallon reef tank. By using pictures and explaining each step of the process from start to finish, you can clearly see what we did to put it all together, which is something anyone can do just as easily with any size and style aquarium desired. To begin, here is a list of...
Sample 55g FOWLR Saltwater Tank
Here is a plan for an easy, sure-fire 55g FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) tank. This set up includes a tank, filtration, power head, light hood and a list of fish and invertebrates which are sturdy, colorful and actually get along with each other.
Here is a plan for an easy, sure-fire 55g FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) tank. This set up includes a tank, filtration, power head, light hood and a list of fish and invertebrates which are sturdy, colorful and actually get along with each other.
Converting from Freshwater to Saltwater
If you are a freshwater aquarist that has considered converting your tank over to a saltwater system, undoubtedly you have asked if the same equipment and components you presently have can be used to do so? Your About Guides say of course they can, with a few exceptions.
If you are a freshwater aquarist that has considered converting your tank over to a saltwater system, undoubtedly you have asked if the same equipment and components you presently have can be used to do so? Your About Guides say of course they can, with a few exceptions.
Aquarium Equipment & Set Up Polls
A list of quick polls created by your Guides to help them give other aquarists a perspective on what pieces of equipment, types of supplies, and aquarium set up choices are most often chosen by hobbyists like yourself. Participate and vote in the polls, or just view the polling results for some input.
A list of quick polls created by your Guides to help them give other aquarists a perspective on what pieces of equipment, types of supplies, and aquarium set up choices are most often chosen by hobbyists like yourself. Participate and vote in the polls, or just view the polling results for some input.
Choosing the Right Substrate
Much more than just the "stuff on the bottom of the tank", substrates are an integral part of any aquarium system. Besides contributing to the visual appeal of a tank, substrates also serve other purposes. The wrong substrate for your tank can create problems, rather than solving them.
Much more than just the "stuff on the bottom of the tank", substrates are an integral part of any aquarium system. Besides contributing to the visual appeal of a tank, substrates also serve other purposes. The wrong substrate for your tank can create problems, rather than solving them.
Tips for Buying Livestock
Understanding the different levels of care that various fish and invertebrate species require can be difficult, but by following a few simple guidelines to begin with, half the battle can be won at the onset of buying new livestock.
Understanding the different levels of care that various fish and invertebrate species require can be difficult, but by following a few simple guidelines to begin with, half the battle can be won at the onset of buying new livestock.
Aquascaping & Decorating
From your About Guides Debbie and Stan discuss the details of choosing and using each of the following aquascaping components; substrate, rocks and stones, living, non-living and synthetic corals, shells, live and plastic plants, backgrounds, and other decorations.
From your About Guides Debbie and Stan discuss the details of choosing and using each of the following aquascaping components; substrate, rocks and stones, living, non-living and synthetic corals, shells, live and plastic plants, backgrounds, and other decorations.
The Importance of Proper Areation
Your Guides explain why proper areation is important, and how the oxygen-carbon dioxide gas exchange takes place.
Your Guides explain why proper areation is important, and how the oxygen-carbon dioxide gas exchange takes place.
What Is A Refugium?
From your About Host-Guide Don Carner, Don explains what a refugium is, how to plumb and put one together, what lighting to use and what you can place inside of it.
From your About Host-Guide Don Carner, Don explains what a refugium is, how to plumb and put one together, what lighting to use and what you can place inside of it.
My Tank Has Finished Cycling - Now What?
Now that your new saltwater aquarium has reached the end of the nitrogen cycling process and completed its task of establishing the beginning of your tank's biological filter base, what do you do next? If you are not careful, you could find yourself back on square one.
Now that your new saltwater aquarium has reached the end of the nitrogen cycling process and completed its task of establishing the beginning of your tank's biological filter base, what do you do next? If you are not careful, you could find yourself back on square one.
A First-Aid Kit for Saltwater Aquariums
Unforeseen situations with your aquarium can occur at any time, and if you are not prepared to handle a critical problem if it arises, losses to your aquarium community can be costly. You should be ready at any given time to be able to perform a partical or complete water change, treat a sick fish, or handle any number of other emergenices.
Unforeseen situations with your aquarium can occur at any time, and if you are not prepared to handle a critical problem if it arises, losses to your aquarium community can be costly. You should be ready at any given time to be able to perform a partical or complete water change, treat a sick fish, or handle any number of other emergenices.
Siamese Fighting Fish & Lily Plant Aquarium Setups
A nice gift, or is it? Your About Guides address this freshwater issue, because although beautiful, if proper fish care and diligent maintenance is not provided, these types of "so-called" aquarium set ups are not a conducive environment for fish to live in.
A nice gift, or is it? Your About Guides address this freshwater issue, because although beautiful, if proper fish care and diligent maintenance is not provided, these types of "so-called" aquarium set ups are not a conducive environment for fish to live in.