How hard is it these days to run a Salt Water fish tank?
I really think id like to get a good size fish tank going in another year or so. However I would like to go less ordinary… People have always told me that its very difficult to run a salt water tank, why is this? I have also heard it isn’t so hard these days with technology, why is this? What do i actually need to do and how? Also whats is involved in a jellyfish tank, is that something i could do?
Saltwater tanks, just like freshwater tanks, can be as complicated and as expensive as you want them to be. If you really want complicated and expensive, get a jellyfish tank. You could do upside down jellyfish, but they are difficult to keep and can clog an intake to your filter pretty easily. Depending on what you want to accomplish, you can do it very simply or make it into something that needs daily specialized feedings and monitoring. A fish only tank would be pretty simple since it doesn’t need a special light, and fish are usually more hardy than inverts. Some people do a FOWLR tank, which is fish only with live rock. This is probably the best way for a beginner to go. Make sure to do plenty of research, and get a couple of good S/W books.
Does anyone know what these little worm looking things are in salt water fish tank?
Saltwater tanks, just like freshwater tanks, can be as complicated and as expensive as you want them to be. If you really want complicated and expensive, get a jellyfish tank. You could do upside down jellyfish, but they are difficult to keep and can clog an intake to your filter pretty easily. Depending on what you want to accomplish, you can do it very simply or make it into something that needs daily specialized feedings and monitoring. A fish only tank would be pretty simple since it doesn’t need a special light, and fish are usually more hardy than inverts. Some people do a FOWLR tank, which is fish only with live rock. This is probably the best way for a beginner to go. Make sure to do plenty of research, and get a couple of good S/W books.
November 4th, 2009 at 1:16 pmReferences :
5.0
Salt water aquariums look beautiful, there is lots of really nice fish and live rocks.
Iv always thought it be hard to keep them as you need to get the salt right in the water.
I know the fish cost alot more than tropical and the live rocks can cost you an arm and a leg.
Good Luck
November 4th, 2009 at 1:25 pmReferences :
Well if you only plan to keep fish than a saltwater tank is not so difficult. If you want to keep jellyfish than you are getting yourself into something much more difficult. Keeping inverts such as anemones jellyfish or keeping corals or certain delicate species is very demanding on the aquarists behalf. Jellyfish would do best in a tall hex shape tank or any shape that will provide them with the vertical swimming space. They also need pristine water conditions and are very sensitive to metals in the water such as copper so you would need a reverse osmosis / deionizer tap water filter to remove any impurities from your water but then will have to add back other trace element the jellyfish need to remain healthy. Same goes with corals. You will alsohave higher lighting demands so will have to have metal halides or the new style LED hood lights to penetrate the depths of such a tall tank needed to house them. with a fish only tank you would need live sand for substrate and 1-1.5lbs of live rock per gallon. you will need a hydrometer to measure the salt in the water and a master test kit to measure pH ammonia Nitrie and nitrate. Regular fish tanks lights will be fine to keep only fish. There is no difference is saltwater or freshwater as far as filters go but you may want to also use a protien skimmer on top of the filter. If you have any ideas or plans as far as what fish you may want to keep feel free to email me and ill be happy to go more into depth with any questions you may have. Hope this is a good start and helps somewhat. Good luck with setting up the tank.
November 4th, 2009 at 1:47 pmReferences :
THE BIGGER THE TANK THE EASIER IT IS FOR MAINTENANCE
November 4th, 2009 at 2:17 pmReferences :
Saltwater tanks are not that hard to do.I was scared to start one myself because of hearing the same things so I started with a 28 gallon tank just to see if I could do it with out loseing alot of money.I have since upgraded to a 135 gallon tank.
November 4th, 2009 at 2:49 pmThe bigger the tank the easier it is simply because nitrite,ammonia,and nitrate spikes are not as bad in a lrger tank because the amount of water dilutes what ever is spiking.
You don’t have to go all out to do saltwater but still it will cost you..My 135 is very simple.I have a sump and love it because It is the filter and i add water and all there not in the main tank.
I started the tank with aragonte sand and live sand and about 85 pounds of live rock.I tested my water every day and I cycled in 4 days..If ya need any help email me.
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