If you have decided to keep and a saltwater aquarium, you also need to know how to take care of it. Since you have spent a bit of money for the aquarium as well as for the fish inside it, it makes good sense to get some knowledge towards its maintenance and correct upkeep. Maintaining an aquarium and its content is not difficult but mandatory if you wish to do justice to the expenses which you have already incurred.
To keep your saltwater aquarium in good shape and function optimally, here are a few tips :
? There are a few important tests which you have to do every two weeks. These tests are fairly simple and take only a few seconds to do. Checks on ammonia levels, pH level and the nitrite and nitrate levels. First find out what the normal levels are from the pet store clerk, before buying the fish.
? If the pH level of the water is very high, simply add a tablespoon of baking soda to the water. Just ensure that it is completely dissolved before add more.
? For instance if the salinity level drops, simply add some salt to the water.
? Add dechlorinated water to your tank, if you find the salinity level is high. This is a very common occurrence, as the water in the aquarium is constantly evaporating. Adding this water will balance the salt content of the remaining water.
? Remember to add adequate amounts of iodine and calcium to the water in your tank. To know how much and how often talk to the pet store clerk, since the amounts depend on the type of fish you have kept in the tank.
? Replace one-tenth of the water of your tank with dechorinated water. Do this once a week. This freshens up the water.
? Replace 25% of the water in your tank with dechlorinated water once every few months.
? Keep the water temperature between 75 and 80 degrees. Check if this is the right temperature as it depends on the type of fish that you keep.
? Always remember to remove the algae from the inside walls of your aquarium regularly. Check the filter pads as well as test the alkalinity levels. Cleaning of the gravel in the tank is also necessary for its proper upkeep.
Undertaking these simple activities will keep your aquarium in good share and keep your fish active and healthy.
Algae In Saltwater Aquarium
Saltwater aquarium supplies are vital as it is these items which will help to retain the integrity of your aquarium at all times and so provide the right environment that is conducive to the tropical fish and marine life in it. You need to be aware that there are certain saltwater aquarium supplies that you will need and you should only be buying the best that you can easily afford.
The main items of saltwater aquarium supplies that we are going to be looking at below and which are essential items to be purchased at the same time as the tank itself are the pumps which heat the water and the filters that enable waste and debris to be removed. Below we look at some of the things to taken into consideration when it comes to choosing these types of saltwater aquarium supplies.
Pumps - Important Saltwater Aquarium Supplies
When trying to choose the right heater pump for your saltwater aquarium there are a number of different things which need to be taken into consideration before you purchase. First off you need to find out what level of resistance the heater pump offers. Next you need to find out the level of heat it generates along with how many returns there are actually on this particular item of saltwater aquarium supplies. Finally you need to discover what level of noise it makes when turned on.
One mistake made by many people when they are buying their saltwater aquarium supplies is to choose the biggest that they possibly can no matter what size tank they have. The problem is that when it comes to the pumps for heating the water you need to remember the bigger they are the more heat they will produce and can actually be detrimental to the health of the fish and other marine life (plants and corals) in the aquarium.
When purchasing the pump for your aquarium from a supply company make sure that you select one that is adequate to heat the water within the size of tank you have without actually having work too hard. Good saltwater aquarium supplies companies should be able to recommend the perfect pump but it is vital that they know the size of your aquarium first.
Saltwater Aquarium Supplies - What Filters?
As with the pump you need to choose the filter which is perfect for the size of saltwater aquarium that you have. It can become somewhat confusing because there are so many different types of filters to choose from so it is a good idea to learn as much as you can about these particular items of saltwater aquarium supplies before you go out and buy.
When you are choosing the filter for your aquarium there are certain things that you need to keep in mind and taken in to consideration with regards to these particular saltwater aquarium supplies. Yes cost should be one, but also look at the efficiency of the filter along with its adaptability and how easy it will be for you to maintain this particular item of saltwater aquarium supplies.
Along with what we have mentioned above the other things you need to consider when purchasing filters from saltwater aquarium supplies companies is how big the channels inside the system are and the materials from which the filters are made. Although you may think that the filters with smaller sized channels are better in fact you will end up having to maintain these more as they can become blocked easily. When it comes to the filter material generally most aquarists tend to go for those made from biological materials as they are far easier to clean and can be done so quickly.
To help maintain the quality of the water in your aquarium and also to prevent accumulation of algae and waste in it not only should you have biological filters but also mechanic filters. These kinds of filters which are readily available both at your local store and through online saltwater aquarium supplies sites help to ensure that the salt levels in the water remain constant so that the corals, plants and tropical fish in the tank stay healthy.
Sometimes there are some companies who offer discount saltwater aquarium supplies and if you do see these then find out more about the product before you actually buy. Although you may feel you have got a great deal and saved money, sometimes these are not of the highest quality and in a matter of weeks or months you find yourself having to spend more money in order to replace them.
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