o, you are attracted to the stunning beauty of a marine aquarium, with its spectacular range of reef fishes and invertebrates thriving in a crystal-clear aquatic world that is the ecological environment of these creatures.
But how do you start putting up one of these marine aquariums at home? Up to recent times, freshwater aquariums are considered the beginner’s choice as they are much easier to set up and maintain than marine tanks.
However, with advances in technology and breeding methods, even a novice can now try his/her hand at a marine aquarium. To start, a bigger tank is always better consider a 40 to 50-gallon tank to begin with.
A large tank provides much water to allow easier stabilization of water composition, a critical factor for the survival of marine life. In addition, marine fishes generally need more space as they can be quite territorial.
Here’s a quick way to calculate the volume of a rectangular tank:
- Measure the tank’s height, width, and depth in inches.
- Multiply these 3 numbers together, then multiply the result by 0.0036 to get the tank’s volume in gallons.
- Take off about 10% from the calculated volume to compensate for space taken by rockwork and another aquarium decor. To do this, multiply the volume by 0.9.
If you are working with measurements in centimeters, multiply the height, width, and depth together, then divide the result by 1000 to arrive at the tank’s volume in liters. Again, take away 10% from this calculation. To achieve that spectacular marine aquarium look, opt for a glass tank instead of acrylic. Although acrylic is much lighter and thus the tank is easier to lift, this material is prone to scratches. Always ensure your glass tank is not cracked and is properly sealed.
Lastly, ensure that the tank is seated on a leveled stand that is sturdy. Locate your aquarium near a wall with power sockets to provide easy electrical connections for lighting, pumps, etc. Ensure that there is sufficient space between the wall and the back of the tank for access during the maintenance of your marine aquarium. Setting up a marine aquarium requires careful planning for long-term success. You can’t be in a hurry instead, you’d need to commit enough time to take care of the marine fish and their environment.
Take your time to learn about marine life the fishes, the invertebrates, and the environment and also related aquarium equipment. A good resource to consult is the guidebook “Ultimate Secrets to Saltwater Aquarium Fish and Invertebrates”. Here’s to a good start in your quest to create your very own marine aquarium.
See more: How To Light Up Your Reef Aquarium