by Cathy Linton

Created on: May 23, 2007

Setting up a saltwater aquarium is an exciting venture, and with some basic preparation and planning it should be neither confusing nor intimidating. The main reason for having a saltwater aquarium is the incredibly brightly colored fish, and the variety of different species. A saltwater aquarium is usually more complicated to handle than a basic freshwater tropical fish tank, but your invested time and efforts will be rewarded by the possibility to keep remarkably beautiful and fascinating saltwater fish species such as Clown fish, Damsel, marine Angel fish and various sharks.

Setting up a basic saltwater aquarium is much more expensive than setting up a basic freshwater aquarium, and this means that it is typically the dedicated aquarist with years of freshwater experience that decides to spend the necessary money on a saltwater aquarium. More visually compelling than the familiar freshwater tank, the saltwater aquarium is a showstopper, a Technicolor micro-ecosystem, home to an exotic array of aquatic wildlife, plants and fish drawn from the worlds seas and oceans angelfish, clownfish, anemones in a stunning palate of colors from electric yellow to cobalt blue.

In general, the aquarium owner is going to need the tank, lighting for the aquarium, filters and a system of filtration, substrate, a shelter for any livestock that is going to be in the aquarium, a heater, a thermometer, saltwater or sea salt mixture, an hydrometer, test kits, supplements and additives such as calcium, and supplies and tools for aquarium maintenance.

Your Aquarium Tank

If you purchase a large tank for your saltwater aquarium it will be easier for you to keep the environment stable, since there will be more water to dilute any potentially harmful compounds. The pleasure you'll get from your fish makes a saltwater tank worth the trouble involved in setting it up. An active and attractive tank encourages the viewer to watch the tank longer and it brings on a greater feeling of tranquillity. When setting up a saltwater aquarium you need to make a decision regarding how large aquarium tank you are going to get. You will also have to choice between Glass and Acrylic aquarium tanks when preparing a saltwater aquarium. Glass aquariums will stay clearer over the years, though they do not insulate the tank as well, and are more breakable.

Saltwater Fish

Saltwater fish are much more difficult to care for in the aquarium than freshwater varieties. Saltwater aquariums are meant to emulate a tropical ocean environment, characterized by high water temperatures. Saltwater aquariums, long coveted and appreciated, are a wonderful and relaxing hobby and are fantastic educational opportunities, making their owner sea life experts. Saltwater fish make their homes in the ocean, a relatively stable environment, and don't react to dramatic changes in their conditions as easily as some freshwater fish.

Saltwater fish keeping is a wonderful, challenging, and educational hobby that can be a rewarding experience for the whole family. Finally, another pro for keeping a saltwater aquarium is that the public interest helps protect native fish in the wild.

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