Saltwater Aquariums for Beginners

Saltwater aquariums - "reef tanks" - are a great hobby.  They add beauty and interest to your home, and saltwater fish are some of the most colorful and fascinating in the world.  Our aquarium expert, Rick Stacco, has this advice to offer to anyone interested in setting up a saltwater aquarium.

The first things you'll need are a tank, a filter, a pump, a heater, a thermometer, a hydrometer and a good UV light.  You'll also need reef crystals (sea salt), marine sand or crushed coral for the bottom of the tank, and test strips to monitor ammonia and pH levels.  A 20-gallon aquarium is a good size to start with.  Consult with a sales associate who's knowledgeable about keeping a reef aquarium - they'll be able to help you find the right equipment.  The pump cycles the water and adds air bubbles, while the filter keeps the water clean by filtering out organic matter.  The thermometer lets you know your water temperature so you can adjust your heater accordingly; the best temperature for most reef tanks is 79°-82° F.  The UV light enhances color and will be necessary if you want to grow coral.

You'll make your own salt water by adding reef crystals to fresh water.  Use the hydrometer to measure the salinity of the water, which should be 1.022.  You'll have to measure this frequently to and add water to adjust the salinity.  It's usually best to add fresh water, check the salinity and add more reef crystals as needed; adding water that already has salt mixed in can result in water that's too saline, and that's not good.  You'll also need to monitor ammonia levels to be sure they stay low, and pH (which should be between 8.0 and 8.4) and adjust as necessary.

It will take about 7-9 weeks for your tank to "cycle" - that is, to develop the natural bacteria that keep your tank healthy, so for that initial period, it's best to have some hardy fish who can deal with some ups and downs.  Damsel fish are hardy and inexpensive, they get along well when they're young and they're beautiful as well.  The rule of thumb for populating your tank is 1" of fish per gallon of water, so you could have 10 2" fish in a 20 gallon aquarium, or 20 1" fish.  Just remember that your fish will grow, so take that into account; it's better to err on the side of too few fish to allow them sufficient room so they aren't crowded and territorial issues don't come up.  After your tank has cycled and you have more experience in maintaining a healthy environment, you can start adding new fish, soft coral and other sea life to your tank.