by Smantha Watson

Created on: August 27, 2010   Last Updated: August 28, 2010

Marine life is regarded as the most beautiful of all life forms in the universe. An aquarium with fish, invertebrates, and marine plants, is a glimpse of the astonishing beauty of our world’s oceans. Taking time to learn about the right equipment, and care requirements will pay off.

One of the main factors to consider when selecting the right size aquarium depends on the livestock that you plan to keep. Several larger species of fish will need to have sufficient space to live and thrive in the aquarium. There are a variety of ready-made

saltwater aquarium tanks in different shapes and sizes available, and with a little luck, finding a suitable one should not be hard. Remember to check online aquarium supply stores, which typically have a wider selection than local neighborhood fish stores.

Components to consider when setting up an aquarium may include a tank stand and hood. More importantly, what you need to decide is whether you want to start with a fish-only tank, or if you want a fish-only-with-live-rock tank (F.O.W.L.R.), or if you want a reef tank which may include live fish, live rocks, corals and invertebrates. One thing to bear in mind when setting up a saltwater aquarium is its placement, as you cannot shift it around once it’s filled to capacity with water. Therefore, careful thought and planning must go into the decision of where the saltwater aquarium is to be finally placed.

Other major components will include the right type of filtration system for your tank. There are different types of filtration systems available, and it would be best to read about them before deciding which one to get. Your filtration apparatus, including water heater, pumps and protein skimmer, will be powered by electricity, so you must be prepared for a power outage. Fish may survive for a day without water circulation, which creates oxygenation. However, other marine life including corals, inverts and microorganisms that live within the live rock, will soon start to die.  Therefore, a back-up power supply is a worthy investment.

You must select the right type of lighting for your saltwater aquarium. There is a wide variety of aquarium lighting to choose from, including metal-halide and compact-fluorescent, typically measured in “PAR” (Photosynthetically Active Radiation). Therefore, before purchasing, reading up on the various lamp types and lighting spectrums is recommended. Setting up the lighting is easy, once you understand the lighting that your particular aquarium inhabitants will need.

You will need to select a good quality synthetic salt, substrate, and live rock. There are different types of live rock available from different parts of the world, including Fiji and Tonga. Live rock is typically sold per pound, as cured or uncured. Cured is more expensive, because it has been cleaned and acclimated for immediate use in your aquarium.

Not all fish and invertebrates are compatible for living together in a saltwater aquarium. So before purchasing any marine life it is important to read about which are compatible together and which are not. In conclusion, you must do thorough research on saltwater aquariums, and how to care for the marine animals you intend to keep. Don't rush this process. Take your time. There may be some trial and error, but with time, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful piece of the ocean you’ll be proud of.

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