How to start a seawater aquarium?
You have decided to set up a seawater aquarium, but you don’t know how to get started. This type of ecosystem is much more fragile than a freshwater aquarium, much more expensive to maintain and you will have to be patient and conscientious in its maintenance. Nevertheless, you will enjoy a magnificent show every day, a real piece of ocean in your living room! Discover our tips for a successful seawater aquarium start.
What equipment does it take to start a seawater aquarium?
A seawater aquarium is much more time-consuming and expensive than a
freshwater aquarium. Recreating and maintaining a harmonious surrounding system
is complex, but the result is even more beautiful and impressive!
The recommended seawater aquarium is the reef model, which combines both
sea fish and living stones. This tank is much more aesthetic, natural, and
enjoyable than the fish-only FO model.
What equipment should I use?
The weakness of the seawater aquarium dictates that any individual who
wishes to have one equip himself with the appropriate equipment.
- An aquarium with a minimum volume of 200 liters of glass glued to withstand saltwater well (which is not the case for aluminum and steel);
- Sufficiently powerful lighting of 2 W per liter of HQI type, i.e. adapted to the marine ecosystem, and an actinic T8 blue-dominated neon light;
- Compactor to remove garbage more easily, including nitrate;
- Sediment mixing pumps with a power equivalent to nearly 40 times the volume of the aquarium;
- A resistance of 1 W per liter to keep the water at 25°C;
- A thermometer for temperature control;
- A decanter
- Osmosed water without nitrites, phosphates, and nitrates and add salt (33 g/liter);
- Test elements to check different water parameters (calcium, magnesium, nitrate levels, pH, etc.).
How is the tray installed?
Your aquarium should be set up in an easily accessible, unobstructed
place to facilitate maintenance and allow you to admire it but avoid passing
places that can stress fish. Avoid placing it in an area that is too exposed to
natural light, such as the front of a window, to avoid excessive algal growth.
Choose the location carefully, as your aquarium will not be able to be moved
when full, as its minimum weight will be 250 to 350 kg. Remember also to place
it on a support that can support its weight when full, and not just a living
room furniture.
Wash your aquarium with clean water and without using any products.
Then install your equipment such as the mixing pump, skimmer, etc.
How to start your seawater aquarium?
To get started successfully, here are the different steps to follow,
knowing that they last several weeks.
The aquarium water (2 weeks)
Fill the ¾ tank with osmosed water. This will maintain a low level of
nitrates and phosphates to encourage the good growth of plants and preserve the
health of fish.
Add aquarium salt at a salinity of 38 g per liter of freshwater (density
1025). The water shall immediately reach a hardness of 8 KH; if it is larger,
lower it with a buffer of 5 to 10 grams per 100 liters. After 24 hours, the
acidity of the water should reach 7 KH, which is ideal for continuing the
steps.
In a corner of the ferry, lay the limestone sand and form a relatively
steep slope. Choose sand made of crushed coral, aragonite, and calcite. This
type of sand helps maintain a good pH of the water. Remember to rinse it
thoroughly with clean water beforehand.
Then turn on your skimmer and mixing pump and wait for one to two weeks
before proceeding to the next step.
Live rock placement (6 weeks)
Install your living stones in the aquarium, keeping the surface
previously exposed to light (pink to red) in the same way. Then turn on your
light and let it run 12 hours a day. It is normal for algae to form; they will
disappear quickly.
Your living rocks should be placed on the bottom glass because fish and
shellfish like to dig underneath. This way, they won't collapse on them.
The skimmer should normally begin to remove a brown liquid with a strong
odor.
The nitrate level will increase rapidly, but this is perfectly normal,
as long as the aquarium is balanced and maintained It will take between
five and six weeks.
Setting the scene (2 weeks)
You can set up your decoration in the aquarium. Choose the pitches carefully,
as the decor should not disturb the swimming of the fish. The latter must be
able to hide there and turn around without being embarrassed.
As for living rocks, place the decoration as much as possible on the
bottom window to avoid any slippage.
You can then spread your sand over the bottom surface of the aquarium.
Setting up the first Leviticus (3 weeks)
Put your first small devouring animals and shellfish in the tank so they
start to clean the water naturally. On the other hand, make sure that the nitrate
level is correct so that they can live.
Wait 3 weeks before proceeding to the next step.
Invertebrate placement (3 weeks)
Check water quality: its salt content, pH, and hardness. If everything
is satisfactory and well balanced, you can introduce small invertebrates into
the tank, such as herbivorous crustaceans and gastropods (snails, shrimp,
hermit crab). They will eat mainly seaweed.
Wait another 3 weeks before proceeding to the next step.
Setting up soft corals (5 weeks)
Set up your soft corals one by one, making sure everyone fits the
aquarium. Find out how to make sure you buy corals that combine properly. Some
cannot live together or tolerate certain ecosystems. So avoid any compulsive
buying for the well-being of your aquarium!
Do not glue soft corals together, as they will quickly develop and take
up space. If you put them too close together, they will have to fight for their
territory.
Fish placement (3 weeks)
Here you are at the final stage of starting your seawater aquarium. If
all water controls are positive, you can install your fish. Be careful and do
not rush, as fish are the elements that will most disturb the good balance of
your ecosystem. Don’t ruin all your efforts at once!
Be sure to ask for only fish that can coexist. Don’t overcrowd the
aquarium too to allow them enough space to live, knowing that all the elements
of your little world will gradually grow and expand!
Remember to avoid any sudden risk of water change. Leave your new fish
in the shopping bag on the surface of your aquarium for at least 10 minutes and
then insert a glass of water from the tank into the bag every 10 minutes three
times. Then place your fish in the aquarium with a net. Avoid pouring water
from the sachet into the bin, as you may disturb the ecosystem by injecting
pathogens.
Feed your fish every day in several stages, making sure everything is
eaten every step of the way. Nothing has to fall to the bottom to keep the
ecosystem in balance.