A large majority of people love the ocean. They marvel at all the wonders it possesses such as corals, plants, and fish. A lot of people love the ocean so much that they try to capture their own little piece of it. If you want to be just like them, do not fret, it is possible to recreate the ocean and place it right inside your home. You can achieve this by getting yourself your own saltwater aquarium. Choosing and setting up a saltwater aquarium to house your favorite salt water fish and ocean life is typically the same as choosing and setting up a fresh water aquarium. There are just a few details and materials that differ.
- Location. Before going to the fish supply store and choosing your very own saltwater aquarium, you will need to figure out where to locate it in your home. Aquarium sizes are based on how many gallons of water an aquarium can hold. The popular aquariums range from 30-55 gallons. The more gallons of water it can hold the bigger the size. In any case, just measure the width and length of the location. Make sure to measure both horizontally and vertically. The aquarium you choose should be based on the dimensions of the planned location.
- Budget. Now that you have determined where your future fish tank will be located, you will need to determine how much you can spend on the whole setup. This will all depend on the size of the tank and the accessories you will fill it with. Going with the basics will probably keep your costs to the bare minimum. If you really want an aquarium to completely look like the bottom of the ocean complete with state-of-the-art air and filter systems, then be prepared to spend a considerable amount. If you want a complete setup on a budget, you can look for people who sell their used tanks complete with accessories so this can be a cost-effective option.
- Fishes. Another important thing to keep in mind when choosing a saltwater aquarium is the type of fish or fishes you plan to house in it. You have to decide on the size and maturity of the fishes. If you plan to have different species of fishes in one tank, you will need to find out what fishes can live together. If you are a newbie, you may want to start with the starter fishes or “damsels”. A 30 gallon tank should be adequate for these fishes. If you want bigger and more mature fishes, you may want a significantly bigger tank.
- Accessories. Once you are in the store picking out your new tank, do not forget to get the basics for saltwater aquariums. You will need to get crushed corals, a heater, sea salt mix, power filters, air stones, and lights. Make sure you pick up a PH test kit for salt water as well.
Saltwater aquariums can benefit you in two ways. They can provide added aesthetics and give you a way to have ocean life living right inside your home. It is easy to setup and it requires minimal materials to maintain. Make sure to ask people who know more about this if you are still unsure of what to get and how to set it up.