Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Saltwater Aquarium Set Up

By Jeff Tormey


Setting up a saltwater aquarium isn't that tough especially when you're actually interested in making it. Saltwater aquariums will start out as a simple tank of water in which aquatic life will be placed with the purpose of creating the final marine environment. You should have your small additional care and patience at the start but it will go a good distance in the future since your tank will be stabilizing already. You can then make your long way towards making a good and problem-free aquarium for years to come.

Before working on your tank, you must first know where the best place to put your aquarium is. This place should be away from heat vents, windows, outside doors, and air con units since quick changes in water temperatures are extremely nerve wracking for all fish and especially for saltwater fishes. Don't forget that once your tank is set up it will weight approximately 10lbs per gallon that it holds. So, be certain that your floor will support this amount of weight. You need to place your aquarium out of full-on sunlight and in a room where you will be likely to spend a good period of time. Also, check for electrical outlets since most salt tanks will need to get access to least four plug ins.

Now you are ready to line up your tank. First, rinse out your tank to get rid of any dust or debris within. You should check your tank stand and check out if it is level and adjust in an appropriate way. If you do not have accessibility to a carpenter's level, place the tank on the stand and fill with 1 to 2 inches of water. You should ensure that your aquarium is balance because an unbalanced aquarium can be extremely dangerous. Now, fill your tank roughly 1/3 full. Check for leaks, look for water beading up on the bottom edge or running down the sides of stand. If there are any leaks, empty it and give it to the store for a replacement.

You may then start setting up the gear that you're going to put in your tanks. If you're using an under gravel filter: Wash and place the bottom plates into the tank, attaching all required tubes, gang valves, check valves, airline and air pump. The check valve should be placed about 3-4 inches from your air pump, with the arrow on the valve pointing away from the pump. Do not plug in your pump at this time. If you need to add a new substrate and decorations then place them into the tanks. If you are not using an under gravel filter then set up your filter according to manufacturer's directions that come with the filter. If you want bubbles then you can hook up the air stone or action ornament, airline tubes, air pump, gang valve, and check valve. After all of the set up is complete then it's time to connect your power filter and protein skimmer now, following the manufacturer's directions.

Now you can fill it with water and add salt. Just make absolutely certain that there is no trickling. Add the right of water conditioner or additive to your tank. You must make sure that your precise gravity is around 1.020 using your hydrometer. It may take up to 24 hours for the salinity level to stabilise. Now, you can place your heater into your tank. The number 1 place for you to put it will depend on the sort of heater that you have. After the saltwater system is now set successfully running then you must wait until the temperature of your tank remained stable at the right temperature and this could typically be at least 24-48 hours.




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