Huge saltwater aquarium: Saltwater Marine Reef & Freshwater Supplies

how to build a better fish & coral reef tank

Welcome to Saltwater Aquarium Blog! Your online guide to building a better saltwater aquarium. Since 2009, I’ve connected with millions of readers worldwide, and I’m glad for the opportunity to connect with you!

The best way to connect with me and receive content as it appears? Join the thousands of others in the Saltwater Aquarium Blog Newsletter Community. When you join, I’ll send you a Free E-book and a weekly email newsletter to help you:

Enjoy your reef tank more than you already do
Fight common aquarium problems
Buy the right equipment and gear
Avoid common mistakes
Reduce the hassles of maintenance

You’ll also find helpful advice about building a better saltwater aquarium throughout the site. Let me share all of my knowledge with you and get you started on the path to a happy, gorgeous saltwater aquarium.

Why Keep a Saltwater Aquarium?

Setting up and maintaining a healthy saltwater aquarium can be a relaxing and rewarding hobby. Studies have shown that watching fish in an aquarium has a calming effect that lowers your pulse rate and blood pressure.

The saltwater aquarium hobby is part creative expression, part gardening (underwater gardening), and part pet ownership. You get to watch the saltwater fish and corals grow and adapt to the environment you created and provided for them. It’s a pretty cool thing. Hopefully, the content here on Saltwater Aquarium Blog will help.

Find the Freshest Information at Saltwater Aquarium Blog

If you are looking for the freshest information from Saltwater Aquarium Blog, check out the “Recent posts” in the top menu.

The newest articles will automatically appear at the top. As you go deeper into the archives, you’ll time travel backward (and you won’t even need the Delorean). This is a fine way to explore and discover helpful tips, tricks, and advice. (Not to mention fall down a rabbit hole of saltwater aquarium delights!)

Search Saltwater Aquarium Blog for Specific Content

Looking for a specific topic related to ANYTHING in the saltwater aquarium realm? Consider using the search function to find specific Saltwater Aquarium Blog content. If you’re reading this on a desktop computer, the search function will appear at the top right part of the page in the margin. If you’re on a mobile device, the search bar slides down to the bottom. You can access it by clicking the magnifying glass at the top right of the page.

Explore Popular Categories

There have been A LOT of posts since 2009, with more content coming every month. And the information spans a range of topics within the saltwater aquarium hobby. The most popular articles all fall within a few specific categories. If you want to browse the categories to look for articles of interest, I have them listed here for easy reach:

Saltwater Aquarium Fish
Corals
Aquarium Product Reviews

The Most Useful Pages on Saltwater Aquarium Blog

Another way to dive into the content is to check out the posts that rank up the most visits by other aquarium owners (or soon-to-be-owners) like you. These”most useful” pages include:

How to Start a Saltwater Aquarium
9 Most Important Reef Tank Aquarium Water Parameters
Saltwater Aquarium Blog Interactive Saltwater Fish Compatibility Chart and Tool
20 Most popular saltwater fish
Quarantine Tank Setup
How Much? Calculating Live Rock Aquarium Needs
A List of the 20 Most Popular Saltwater Fish
5 Starter Fish Every Saltwater Hobbyist Should Avoid
5 Best Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Beginners
Dosing Phytoplankton
Best low light corals
23 Best algae-eating saltwater fish

A few of the most popular pages by category

There is a lot of information on this site about the care requirements for specific species of saltwater fish, corals, equipment & supplies, as well as other invertebrates and dealing with pests and disease. Some of the most popular species and topics are included below.

Saltwater fish

Clownfish breeding & eggs
Yellow tang
Blue tang
Ocellaris clownfish
Yellow coris wrasse care
Lawnmower blenny
Most beautiful types of saltwater angelfish
Best fish for a small saltwater tank

Corals

Overview of the types of coral
Candy cane coral
Acans
Hammer corals
Torch coral care

Equipment & supplies

Best reef salt mix
Best protein skimmer
Best aquarium chiller
Best nano aquarium for saltwater
Biocube upgrades

Invertebrates

Reef safe starfish
Reef safe shrimp
Feather duster worms
Saltwater cleaner shrimp
Sea hare
Rock flower anemone

Dealing with pests and disease

Bristle worms
Hair algae
Swim bladder disease
How to treat saltwater ich
Bryopsis algae
Red slime cyanobacteria

What it Takes to be Successful in the Saltwater Aquarium Hobby

If you want to succeed in the saltwater aquarium hobby, you’ll need patience, planning, perseverance, and a desire to learn about and care for the world’s most beautiful and often fragile creatures.

When I set up my first tank, I thought I knew what I was doing because I’d cared for freshwater tanks. The reality is that some of the info about the reef hobby was confusing and often inaccurate. That’s one of the reasons I created the Saltwater Aquarium Blog – to help people avoid the pitfalls and mistakes I blundered into.

Along my path, I’ve continued learning (through reading, talking with others in the hobby, or messing things up pretty badly myself). There are plenty of people out there who know a lot more about the saltwater aquarium hobby than I do. But I started writing Saltwater Aquarium Blog for those getting their feet wet (metaphorically speaking – you shouldn’t put your feet in your reef tank).

You want to learn, plan, and be successful. And you just need to be pointed in the right direction. Success in this hobby is all about creating a stable environment for the animals in your tank. To do that, you need knowledge of the basics, time, equipment, patience, and persistence. You have to understand the needs of the animals in your tank (sometimes called husbandry requirements), and you have to provide that for them – almost every hour of every day.

The way you do that is by maintaining near-perfect water conditions with the right equipment and maintenance. When you stray from ideal water conditions, your risk of problems goes up. Don’t let that scare you, though. There are many tools to help you in the various articles throughout the Saltwater Aquarium Blog.

The order in which you add the fish, corals and other invertebrates to your tank matters, as well. When you first start out, you will want to begin with the best beginner saltwater fish, like the firefish goby or the royal gramma, and you want to wait to care for more challenging species like the leopard wrasse, melanurus wrasse, or the marine betta until after you’ve mastered care for easier species.

The same principle applies to keeping corals. You want to start out caring for a few of the best beginner coral species before moving on to those species that are moderately difficult to care for. Great beginner coral species are green star polyps, zoanthids and mushroom coral.

Demonstrate success with species like that before moving on to goniopora, gorgonians or sun coral.

Does a Saltwater Aquarium Need to be Big?

When the saltwater aquarium hobby first hit the scene, many people thought you needed a big tank to be successful. Over the last 20 years, the equipment used to keep saltwater aquariums has improved, making it possible to keep saltwater fish and corals thriving in almost any size tank.

In a survey of Saltwater Aquarium Blog readers. The data, from 123 respondents, in October 2021, show that there are lots of saltwater aquarium owners with tanks of all sizes–or just about.

The actual breakdown by aquarium size is as follow:

3.3% have a tank between 5.1 to 20 gallons
24.4% have a tank between 20.1 and 55 gallons
30.9% have a tank between 55.1 and 90 gallons
16.3% have a tank between 90.1 and 120 gallons
25. 2% have a tank larger than 120 gallons

If we combine a few of these statistics, you will see that the majority of saltwater aquarium owners (58.6%) run a tank that is 90 gallons or smaller, while the minority (41.5%) run a tank larger than 90 gallons.

Size is no longer a prerequisite to having a successful reef tank. Now, it is a matter of personal preference, and a trade-off decision, not a requirement. The type of saltwater fish and corals you can keep will also play a role in deciding what size tank to pick. Here are a few guides to help you pick the best saltwater fish based on the size of the tank:

Best saltwater fish for a :
- 10-gallon tank
- 15-gallon tank
- 20-gallon tank
- 30-gallon tank
- 40-gallon tank
- 50-gallon tank
- 55-gallon tank
- 75-gallon tank
- 90-gallon tank
- 100 gallon tank dimensions and best saltwater fish

Does a Saltwater Aquarium Need to be Expensive?

Owning a saltwater aquarium CAN be expensive. Many people choose to spend a lot of money on the equipment and livestock for their tanks. But a saltwater aquarium doesn’t have to be expensive. I recommend starting small. You can try things out and see how much you enjoy the hobby before getting into the expansive side of things.

You’ll find PLENTY of ways to spend money on this hobby. But there are also articles on Saltwater Aquarium Blog that can save you time and money. (I’m a firm believer in saving pennies wherever you can)

Where Can You Buy a Saltwater Tank?

Used Equipment

Believe it or not, one of the best places to buy a saltwater aquarium is from another saltwater aquarium hobbyist. This is a hobby where the most enthusiastic people generally change, upgrade, or swap out parts of their tanks. So at any given time, there is usually a decent supply of gently used tanks and gear. And we’re a friendly group; you won’t have to break the bank when you look to a fellow hobbyist for a deal.

You can usually stretch your budget and get more for your money if you buy used. It’s also a good way to tap into the knowledge of others and get started on the right foot. Pick the brain of the hobbyist you’re buying from and ask your questions.

Craigslist and local saltwater aquarium hobby forums are the perfect places to start your hunt for used gear.

Stores

If you’re looking for a store with a physical location, your best bet is to check for a specialty (independently owned) shop. In the hobby, we like to call these local fish stores (LFS). I recommend these stores over the big box national retail chains because local fish stores are usually run by aquarium enthusiasts who have a passion for and knowledge about the hobby.

Aquarium equipment, fish, and corals are NOT commodity products. They require tender loving care and knowledge that – in my personal experience – is more commonly found in the local fish store than in the megastores.

It might cost you more to hit up a store, but getting the additional education and support your LFS can provide is worthwhile.

Online

If you already have a degree of comfort and understand what it takes to set up a saltwater aquarium successfully, online is another great place to buy a saltwater tank. The all-in-one aquarium systems are turnkey solutions that are easy to ship and set up out of the box.

If you’re looking to score a good deal, check out the options available at online retailers like Amazon. There you can often get some of the best prices on JBJ or Coralife brand cubes (Please note, those are affiliate links). They make great starter saltwater aquariums.

Additional Education in Addition to the Saltwater Aquarium Blog

Are you serious about increasing your learning? Do you want a more formal and organized way to engage in learning about building a better saltwater aquarium? Obviously, the best place to start is reading all the free information on Saltwater Aquarium Blog. But afterward, you can check out this Amazon #1 Bestselling book: The New Saltwater Aquarium Guide. (Written by yours truly, no less)

Buy now on Amazon

Thank You for Reading Saltwater Aquarium Blog!

Thanks for checking out Saltwater Aquarium Blog – your online guide to building a better saltwater aquarium! I know you have limited time to surf the web and consume content, and I’m truly grateful that you spend some of that time here with me.

Albert B. Ulrich III author of Saltwater Aquarium Blog

I hope you enjoy the time you spend here and learn something along the way. That’s what Saltwater Aquarium Blog is all about!

Big, Bold and Beautiful Fish for The Marine Aquarium!

One type of marine aquarium never fails to create a stir, the fish-only tank containing BIG fish! The sight of large slices of brightly coloured piscine flesh cruising around an equally spacious aquarium is enough to make anyone’s heart beat a little quicker. Such displays are normally the province of the public aquarium, but within the confines of a domestic setting the whole thing can be replicated on a somewhat smaller scale with equally stunning results.

The Tank

There has to be a lower size limit to an aquarium housing big fish otherwise overstocking is quickly going to become a major problem. In addition, keeping large fish in a small aquarium is cruel and stressful, leading to disease, stunted growth and in all probability, a premature death. Of course, juvenile specimens can be housed in smaller accommodation, but the fishkeeper will soon have to make plans for a larger tank.

Most fish that I am about to discuss are going to require an aquarium with the minimum dimensions 6’x2’x2′. Although a larger 8’x2’x2′ would be far preferable and ideal for big fish in a domestic situation. Whilst it is possible to run such a tank on undergravel filtration, this becomes very uneconomic and an undertank trickle filter is not only going to prove cheaper, but also far more efficient at ridding the water of copious amounts of fish waste. A large, efficient protein skimmer must also be regarded as essential and will help tremendously with such high stocking levels. The correct wattage ultra-violet steriliser will help protect valuable livestock against disease, and activated carbon will clear the water of yellowing dyes that might otherwise spoil viewing enjoyment. On the subject of viewing, large tanks will require substantial lighting to illuminate the fish properly so that the impact of colours and patterning may become apparent. A 6ft tank will require at least four full-length tubes spaced equally across its width. I would choose, for instance, 3 x Lifeglo’s and 1 x Marine Glo to accentuate blues, greens and black. Mercury vapour lamps are a reasonable option, but will supply a predominantly yellow light that must be sharpened up with either actinic tubes or Marine Glo’s. Metal halides are an expensive, but ideal choice, and 2 x 150 watt lamps will give an intense natural light. The beauty of both mercury vapour and metal halide lighting is that they create a wonderful rippling effect over the rockwork and base of the tank; very reminiscent of natural sunlight.

Big fish need room in which manoeuvre and only the minimum amount of rockwork should be supplied. A reef wall may look impressive but it will take up important swimming space and displace valuable amounts of water. In all cases, the right balance must be struck for each particular species.

What is a Big Fish?

There are no rules governing what constitutes a big fish; however, any specimen that has attained 6″ (15.2cm) when measured from the tip of the nose to the caudal peduncle must regarded as a good contender. 6″ may not sound a great size (no smutty jokes please!!) but in reality this constitutes a respectable individual. Thereafter, specimens really do start to look big, especially as their girth starts to fill out as well. Some fish, of course, can measure 6″ and still be small; our friends the Morays Eels are a good example (although these will also reach big fish status quite quickly). But these are the exceptions to the rule of thumb and most families e. g. triggerfish, large angelfish, some tangs, porcupinefish, batfish, squirrelfish, large wrasse, boxfish, lionfish, etc. will easily conform to our specifications.

There are a few fish in the trade that will eventually exceed the biggest domestic aquarium, most notable of these are the sharks. The smallest shark can be expected to reach 2 feet (60cm), while the largest may have a potential for 14 feet (420cm)! Far too large for even the most enthusiastic fishkeeper! At the moment, most public aquaria are swamped with unwanted sharks and the marinist must think long and hard before taking on such an enormous responsibility (even though it may initially arrive in a cute little egg pouch!). Needless to say, sharks and other unsuitable fish will not feature in my forthcoming selection.

Adult or Juvenile?

Ideally, a complete fish selection should be planned well in advance and all specimens introduced as juveniles. This procedure has several advantages: firstly, juveniles tend to be more forgiving than adults, especially of others in the same family and more importantly, feeding habits; secondly, a collection of juvenile fish all growing through to adulthood together is likely to be a much more peaceful, cohesive group, presenting far fewer compatibility problems for the owner; thirdly, biological filters can be allowed plenty of time to adapt to the increased loading placed upon them; and last, but not least, there is a great deal of pleasure to be had watching fish develop into a full-fledged adult from what might be a totally dissimilar juvenile. In all cases, patience is the key. For it might be several years before young fish start to look like big fish. The alternative is to plunge straight in and begin stocking with large specimens from the outset. If this route is followed, do not expect an easy ride! There are likely to be compatibility problems leading to fighting or general bullying, as well as dietary and water quality difficulties.

Consider These Big Fish

These few specimens are good examples of what the marinist intending to keep big fish should be considering. Compatibility charts are not always an accurate guide as to what can be accommodated in a very large aquarium, so some room for experimentation is possible. There are many other species equally suitable and worthy of investigation.

THE LIONFISH (Pterois volitans) is one of the most commonly available and impressive species. It is generally very peaceful and once acclimatised to dead food, easily fed. The aquarist needs to be aware of the venomous spines and keep hands well clear. Once full-grown, a large tank is essential to allow other fish space to manoeuvre around this slow swimming fish. Other species in the same family can be successfully housed in the same tank, making for a distinctive display. Potential ultimate size: 14″(35cm).

THE PICASSO TRIGGER (Rhinecanthus aculeatus) is not quite as aggressive as some other triggers but it is still potentially the most violent specimen in this selection. Having said that, it is an impressive fish when full-grown, with a colourful body and unusual markings. The Picasso Trigger is very forgiving of less than perfect water conditions and will eat almost anything on offer! Potential ultimate size: 10″(25cm).

THE QUEEN TRIGGER (Balistes vetula) can occasionally be seen as a very large specimen in dealers tanks, having been returned by hobbyists because they have outgrown their original aquarium. They are not the best tempered of fish but in a spacious enough tank can become an ideal subject. Queen Triggers are very resistant to disease and eat greedily. In the wild they can reach 20″ (50cm), although aquarium raised fish can only be expected to attain ½ – ¾ that size.

THE FRENCH ANGELFISH (Pomacanthus paru) in its early life is superficially similar to the Grey Angelfish (Pomacanthus arcuatus) with a black/yellow livery. However, the French Angel as an adult, is much more colourful. They are easy to maintain at all stages and will accept most marine fare. Potential ultimate size: 15″ (38cm).

THE KORAN ANGELFISH (Pomacanthus semicirculatus) is best purchased as a blue and white juvenile. Given a good diet, it will grow quickly into a large specimen. Whilst the adult Koran Angel may not be as colourful as some of its more impressive cousins, it is generally much less problematic as far as upkeep is concerned. Potential ultimate size: 16″(40cm).

THE LIPSTICK TANG (Naso lituratus) is one of the largest tangs in this family, and one of the most suited to share with other big fish. It has a peaceful disposition and enjoys most marine fare. As it gets older, its markings and coloration intensify, unlike some other tangs which tend to do just the opposite! Potential ultimate size: 10″(25cm).

THE SNOWFLAKE MORAY (Echnida nebulosa) can be purchased as a very small specimen no bigger than a pencil, but with a wide and generous diet will soon grow into a respectably sized fish. Caves or long lengths of pipe in which to shelter are essential to make this generally peaceful fish feel at home. Like the puffer, they are inclined to feed from the hand with the risk of giving the owner an accidental nasty bite. Potential ultimate size: 24″ (60cm).

THE COWFISH (Lactoria cornuta) is nearly always for sale as a juvenile of about 2″ in length and most people regard it as a small fish. How wrong they are, for this species will achieve a very respectable size, albeit over a reasonable period of time. Once again, feeding is very easy with The Cowfish accepting a wide variety of frozen marine foods. This peaceful species should be housed away from bullies as they react very badly to constant aggression. Potential ultimate size: 16″ (40cm).

THE HARLEQUIN TUSKFISH (Choerodon fasciata) is a beautiful large wrasse with a mild temperament. It is very colourful at all stages of growth and will accept most marine fare very greedily. Although not very fast growing, it will ultimately be expected to reach 14″ (35cm) in the large aquarium.

TIPS

Large wrasses often need to bury themselves at night. To avoid stress in a substrate-free tank, form a ‘refuge’ in the corner of the tank using two pieces of glass siliconed to the base and sides. It should measure 9″ x 9″ x 4″ deep and contain 3″ (7.5cm) of coral sand.
Glue all rockwork structures together as big fish can be very destructive!

The 11 Most Common Mistakes Made by Saltwater Aquarium Keepers

Stan & Debbie Hauter

Stan and Debbie Hauter are aquatic experts and writers with three decades of professional experience in the field of saltwater fish aquariums and pet fish. They have worked in many aspects of the aquarium pet fish industry, including owning a fish collecting business.

Learn more about The Spruce Pets’
Editorial Process

Updated on 03/08/22

Reviewed by

Nick Saint-Erne

Reviewed by
Nick Saint-Erne

Dr. Nick Saint-Erne, DVM, is a highly accomplished veterinarian and writer who has treated zoo animals and exotic pets for more than 35 years. He has worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to improve pet store animal care among other endeavors. Dr. Saint-Erne is part of The Spruce Pets’ veterinary review board.

Learn more about The Spruce Pets’
Veterinary Review Board

Gregor Schuster/The Image Bank/Getty Images

No matter what kind of aquarium keeper you are, here is a list of the most common mistakes you may be making. These problems can be avoided if you’re aware of them before you start an aquarium.

01
of 11

Overfeeding Fish and Invertebrates

How much food should you feed your fish? Do you add more because they always seem hungry? It is important to supply your fish the food they need, but uneaten food just lays on the bottom of the tank, creating ammonia, nitrite and nitrate and overloading the biological filter.

Not fully understanding the nutritional requirements of their fish, the tendency of many people is to “throw food” at fish in order to fulfill their needs. If the fish are not accepting the food offered, many aquarists will “throw even more” at the fish, thinking that the fish just isn’t seeing the food. It is important to feed the correct type of food for the inhabitants in your aquarium and feed them the appropriate amount.

Most aquarium fish will do well with commercial flake or pelleted food, but you should ask your fish supplier if the fish and invertebrates you are buying for your saltwater aquarium have any special dietary needs. Know what is in the food you are feeding by comparing the nutrients in commercial foods, purchasing only high-quality foods, and feeding only what your fish will consume in three to five minutes per feeding. Feed once or twice per day, depending on the age and species of fish.
02
of 11

Moving Too Fast

“Patience” is a requirement for just about anything that you do with a saltwater aquarium. Far too many people report problems after they have put their aquarium together because they are just moving too fast! A high percentage of people do not take the time to read and study up on the fish keeping hobby before getting started. Make sure that you know the requirements of any new species you plan on adding to your saltwater aquarium, and check on their compatibility with the species you already have. When adding fish into your new aquarium, only add a few at a time over the first 4-6 weeks until you have stocked your aquarium. Do not add all of the fish at once.
03
of 11

Overloading the System

A problem that goes hand-in-hand with moving too fast is cramming too much livestock and/or live rock into the aquarium all at once, especially in a tank that is not fully cycled or has just completed the nitrogen cycling process.

Even in a well-established system, placing too many new additions into the tank too quickly can cause new tank syndrome. Slow down! Saltwater aquarium keeping is not a timed event, so take it easy, and work on your patience skills. Let the aquarium water quality get balanced after each new addition before purchasing more fish or invertebrates.
04
of 11

Inadequate Filtration and Water Circulation

Having sufficient biological filtration is a primary key to success in keeping a saltwater aquarium. There are a number of filtration methods to choose from, but not making the right filter selection for the bio-load planned for your aquarium can lead to a wide variety of problems. Whether it be biological, mechanical, or chemical, it’s better to have more filtration, rather than too little for the size of your aquarium.

This same concept applies to the circulation of the water in the aquarium, as well. The lack of good water flow throughout the system can lead to problems with low DO (dissolved oxygen), the build-up of nuisance algae, the prevention of sedentary animals receiving food, and more. The solution? Add a powerhead or two, or a surge device to improve water movement in the aquarium.
05
of 11

Misdiagnosing Diseases

When it comes to diagnosing diseases, saltwater ich is the biggest problem. It is easy to confuse the protozoan parasites Oodinium (Amyloodinium ocellatum – a.k.a. marine velvet or coral fish disease) with White Spot Disease (Cryptocaryon irritans). They are similar but two quite different types of saltwater parasites, and each responds to different treatment. It is important to properly diagnose and treat these parasites, as well as other diseases. Seek help from an Aquatic Veterinarian or an experienced aquarist to properly identify and treat fish diseases. The sooner the correct diagnosis and treatment is made, the better chance your fish have for survival.
06
of 11

Overmedicating

Way too often one or more remedies are just thrown at a sick or ailing fish without knowing what is the real problem. Medications should only be used when necessary, and whenever possible treat the fish in a quarantine tank. The most important factor with medications is to use one that is formulated to “target” the specific disease you are dealing with. Always know the exact water volume in the treated aquarium and follow the medication label dosing instructions accurately.
07
of 11

Purchasing Animals Without Knowing Anything About Them

It never ceases to amaze us how often people select new additions to their aquarium without knowing what the animals are, and how to care for and feed them. Before purchasing anything, take the time to first obtain information about it. The new addition may not be suited to live with the species already in your aquarium!

You shouldn’t buy on impulse because you like the pretty colors a fish has, how cute or stunning it looks, or for any other “touchy-feely” reason, or if a salesperson can’t provide you with critical information you need to know about a particular animal. Be sure there is room enough in your aquarium for the ADULT SIZE of the fish you are interested in, and that it is compatible with the existing species you have.
08
of 11

Livestock Incompatibility

Statements like my wrasse ate my hermit crab, my tangs just won’t get along, and similar ones are all too frequently heard. Purchasing livestock without knowing whether or not they will peacefully reside with other tank mates can lead to dead or injured animals, as well as stress-related diseases. Use common sense and learn about the compatibility of animals you are considering for your aquarium before putting them together!
09
of 11

Purchasing Animals in Poor Health

One of the easiest things to do when selecting a critter is to determine whether or not it is healthy. In a simple phrase, most sick fish don’t eat. Before purchasing a fish or other animal, it is best to have a sale’s person in a store show you that it is in fact eating.

Learn how to recognize the symptoms or outward signs of common illnesses so you know what to look for when inspecting livestock to buy. Healthy fish should be actively swimming and have their fins spread out normally, and be interested in food added into the aquarium. Sick fish often will be lethargic, hanging around the top or the bottom of the aquarium, or not schooling with other fish, have fins clamped against their body, and have discoloration or redness to the body and bases of the fins.
10
of 11

Using a Poor Quality Fresh Water Source

Although many aquarists do so, choosing to use water straight from the tap or un-purified water of another source to make up saltwater solutions and to top off a tank can lead to many water quality issues in aquariums. Using a water purification filter, buying clean natural seawater, or pre-filtered RO/DI water from a reliable supplier is an investment that will pay for itself in the long run. Unless you have tested your tap water to be sure it is appropriate for mixing with your salt to make sea water, ask your fish retailer what they recommend for salt water aquarium use in your area.
11
of 11

Lack of Proper Tank Maintenance

Well-maintained saltwater systems seldom experience high nitrate, bacterial outbreaks, or other water quality issues. To avoid the usual pitfalls with problems in this area of aquarium keeping, set up and follow a regular maintenance routine.

Avoiding these common mistakes will help you become a more successful aquarium keeper.

Article Sources

The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Starting a Freshwater Aquarium. Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council.
Hargrove, Maddy and Hargrove, Mic. Freshwater Aquariums For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons, 2011.
Cryptocaryon Irritans Infections (Marine White Spot Disease) in Fish. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
Gay, Jeremy. The Perfect Aquarium: The Complete Guide to Setting Up and Maintaining an Aquarium. Octopus, 2017.
Zoonoses Associated with Fish (Including Aquarium Fish). Washington State University.

Keeping a Coldwater Marine Aquarium | Aquarium Design

Marine aquarists have always had access to temperate species. In fact, in the days before improved packaging/shipping procedures allowed for the massive import of tropical species that we enjoy today, most saltwater aquarium livestock originated from temperate waters. Catalina gobies, waratah anemones, garibaldi damsels… At least half of the seahorses… The coolest boxfishes… Anyone who thinks that coldwater tanks are boring or lack color is totally full of it.

This article explores the possibilities–and unique requirements–of coldwater marine aquaria.

Not for the weak

For sure, some crazy amazing coldwater displays have been put together over the last few years. They demonstrate that recent technological advancements in water pumps, dosing gadgets, etc. have increased the potential for coldwater systems every bit as much as they have for tropical systems. But they also reveal that coldwater systems have their own big demands.

The first such challenge is (unsurprisingly) temperature control. Quite simply, it’s a lot easier to heat water than it is to cool it. And when you need to keep your water temps down to 55F, or even cooler, you’re not going to get by with a crappy homemade chiller or by cranking up the AC. In short, you’ll have to invest in a big, powerful aquarium chiller. If you’re too cheap to understand “big” and “powerful,” you won’t buy the right chiller, and if you don’t have the right chiller, your coldwater marine aquarium will be a disaster.

The second such challenge is insulation. Yes, a well-insulated tank seriously lightens the load on a chiller. But it also helps to prevent sweating. Sweating? Yes, that’s when moisture in the air condenses into fog and droplets on the outsides of a cold aquarium. At best, sweating jacks up the view of your display; at worst, it ruins cabinetry, equipments, floors, etc. Thankfully, it can be avoided by staying away from thin glass and instead opting for thick acrylic. Some coldwater marine aquarists have also avoided this issue with double-pane glass tanks (ever see one of those Marineland lobster tanks on Craigslist?).

A third challenge is cycling. Because the nitrifying bacteria commonly used in aquaria proliferate at a much slower rate in cold water, establishing the nitrogen cycle takes longer and requires a bigger biofilter. When you throw in the fact that coldwater tanks generally get fed a lot more, you’ll understand why many recommend a biofilter that offers roughly twice the capacity as for a comparable tropical set-up. To save on space while meeting this hefty requirement, one might suggest a highly efficient biomedium with a very high surface-to-volume ratio (e.g. MarinePure). Fortunately, you can speed up the process (assuming no livestock has been added) to start with a warmer temperature. In this case, you may crank up the temp to 82F, add a big dose of inoculant and fuel (e.g. Aquarium Cycle Kit). Simply lower the temp as desired after cycling is complete.

Stocking

Alright, maybe there’s one more challenge–sourcing livestock. You can’t just run over to PetCo and find a huge selection of coldwater marine aquarium animals. These animals are usually rare in the trade and quite hard to find. Only a few online dealers specialize in temperate species. Sometimes, you really just end up snatching whatever you can find. For those aquarists who enjoy the pursuit of unusual species, it may actually be a pleasure to hunt down and obtain those special gems that no one else has. For tons of great information about popular temperate fauna and leads for retail sources, check out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ColdwaterOwners.

There are so many great temperate fish and inverts that it is impossible even to present an overview here. There are many fish families, for example, that many tropical aquarists aren’t even familiar with–pricklebacks, gunnels, triplefins, rockfishes, lumpsuckers, sculpins, surf perches, and so on. And the invertebrates… if there may be a niche for “monster” inverts, it is in coldwater. These are the biggest starfish, cucumbers, octopuses, chitons, crabs, etc. that you’ll ever find. And some of the most gorgeous sea anemones that you’ll ever see! Just check out some of these beauties: http://actiniaria.com/cold_water_tank/index.php.

Aquarium care

There are coldwater clownfish, damsels, angelfish, butterflyfish, gobies, blennies, wrasses, eels, etc. and their care is pretty much analogous to that of their tropical counterparts. In many instances, the temperate “versions” of these fishes are comparatively hardier, easier to feed and more disease-resistant (so long as they don’t get too warm!). The corals, sea anemones and clams are also hardy, though they are typically non-photosynthetic and therefore must be fed often (at least lighting is often of little concern in these systems!).

Given the generous feeding, detritus and excess nutrients can become a concern. Like in a tropical system, these issues can be addressed with a planted refugium. Sea lettuce loves cooler water and is a great macroalgae for coldwater refugium use. Coldwater refugia can support huge numbers of Tigriopus (technically a temperate copepod), which help to clean up detritus and serve as an excellent live food for numerous corals and small fishes.

For those that want to try something new (or something super old-school, depending on how you look at it), operating a temperate marine system may be the most fun experience you’ll ever have in the hobby. And, as you discover new fascinating and eye-catching species, you’ll come to see the world as an even bigger and more beautiful place.

February 20, 2022 20 Best Saltwater Aquarium Fish in (for Beginners)

Are you interested in starting a saltwater aquarium but not sure where to start or what fish to get? In this post, we’ll explain the 20 best saltwater aquarium fish for beginners.

Most of the time, the best saltwater fish for beginners include:

Inexpensive varieties
Hardy fish such as a Damselfish, Clownfish, and Chromis
Varieties that don’t need a large tank

We’ll get into the list of the most popular saltwater aquarium fish for beginners and afterward, we’ll give you more information on methods of adding fish to your aquarium.

If you are ready to get started, learn more about our available aquariums, our saltwater fish for sale, and how to set up your saltwater aquarium.

Table of Contents

20 Best Saltwater Aquarium Fish

You’ve most likely heard that a saltwater aquarium is more difficult to keep than a freshwater aquarium. It is true that keeping the tank clean and water balanced does take a bit more work and dedication.

However, you can make it a little easier on yourself by choosing to fill your tank with the best saltwater aquarium fish, having the right supplies and the right tank.

If you’re just getting into keeping saltwater fish, here are some of the best varieties.

1. Clownfish

Quick Info: Very hardy, easy to keep
Scientific Name: Amphiprioninae
Care Level: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Diet: Omnivore
Temperament: Peaceful

The Clownfish is one of the most popular saltwater fish today; probably in no small part due to the Disney movie Finding Nemo.

You may remember that Nemo was a Clownfish, and if you’ve been hoping to add one to your saltwater tank, you’re in luck. Clownfish (especially the tank raised variety) are easy to care for. Being one of the most popular saltwater fish, food for it is easy to find.

Tank raised Ocellaris Clownfish are hardy and more colorful than the wild caught ones. As an added bonus, these colorful fish are active and don’t hide as much as their tank mates so they make an interesting addition to a beginner’s saltwater aquarium.

2. Damselfish

Quick Info: Very hardy, comes in lots of colors
Scientific Name: Chrysiptera
Care Level: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Diet: Omnivore
Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Many saltwater fish require large tanks such as 100 gallons or more, which can be overwhelming for a beginner. That is what makes the Damselfish such a good choice, as they only require a minimum tank of 30 gallons. They are also very hardy.

Damselfish can be a slightly aggressive, so give them plenty of hiding places and they will tend to keep to themselves. There are also plenty of beautiful color varieties to choose from.

3. Green Chromis

Quick Info: Inexpensive, hardy, colorful, like to school
Scientific Name: Chromis Viridis
Care Level: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Diet: Omnivore
Temperament: Peaceful

A mellow fish, the Green Chromis is easy to care for and makes a great addition to a new saltwater aquarium. It is an active schooling fish and enjoys an aquarium with plenty of live rock.

The Green Chromis will look great in a well-lit aquarium, especially if it is schooling. Best of all, they are a hardy and colorful; a great combination for the beginner saltwater fish keeper.

4. Cardinalfish

Quick Info: Inexpensive, hardy, like to school
Scientific Name: Apogonidae
Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Peaceful to Semi-aggressive

The Cardinalfish is one of the more unique looking choices and comes in different varieties such as the Pajama Cardinal and Bangaii Cardinal. The recommended aquarium size for this fish is 30 gallons (especially for schooling).

The Cardinalfish tend to keep to themselves and will be most active at night. They like having plenty of places to hide during the day so make sure you give them live plants and rocks to explore.

5. Bicolor Blenny

Quick Info: Peaceful, hardy, inexpensive
Scientific Name: Ecsenius bicolor
Care Level: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Diet: Herbivore
Temperament: Peaceful

The Blenny is not only a beautiful fish, but it is also great for beginners because they’re so peaceful. They spend most of their time hiding among the rocks and plants, occasionally peeking out to observe their surroundings.

Although Blennies get along with other fish, they will fight among themselves so it is best to only add one to your aquarium.

6. Clown Goby

Quick Info: Inexpensive, hardy, comes in many colors
Scientific Name: Gobiodon
Care Level: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Peaceful

The Clown Goby is a great addition to any saltwater aquarium because it is peaceful, comes in many vibrant colors, is inexpensive, and is hardy.

Often seen perched on live rock or coral, it will make a wonderful addition to any reef aquarium with colonies of polyp corals. Be careful if you place it with SPS corals though, since the Clown Goby may nip at the smaller polyps.

Although the Clown Goby will get along with other fish, they will fight among themselves so it is best to keep it with other docile species.

7. Yellow Watchman Goby

Quick Info: inexpensive, hardy, colorful
Scientific Name: Cryptocentrus cinctus
Care Level: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Peaceful

The Yellow Watchman Goby is one of the best fish for saltwater aquarium beginners because they are not picky about their diet and will eat food readily available at the pet store, are inexpensive, and hardy. Goby fish are also popular, so they are easy to find in many pet stores.

The Watchman Goby is peaceful and gets along with other fish but does not get along well with other Gobies, so make sure you keep them separated if you get more than one.

8. Firefish Goby

Quick Info: Hardy, doesn’t need a big tank
Scientific Name: Nemateleotris Magnifica
Care Level: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Peaceful

Another gorgeous Goby for saltwater beginners, the Firefish is a long, thin fish generally with a light-colored body and a red, orange, and/or magenta tail (which is how they got their name)

The Firefish Goby has a peaceful temperament, which is a great choice for community aquariums. They are calm, non-confrontational, and will eat almost anything. They are also fun to watch because they move fast and like to hide.

9. Hawkfish

Quick Info: Hardy, doesn’t need a big tank
Scientific Name: Cirrhitidae
Care Level: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Aggressive

The Hawkfish comes in different varieties and has an interesting look that adds interest to any saltwater aquarium. It is also another hardy fish, making it a good choice for saltwater beginners. Be sure to have a tight-fitting lid though, because these fish are known to be escape artists.

This species is also aggressive, and may harass small, peaceful fish and most other fish introduced to the aquarium after it has been established. Its tank mates should be larger than itself and semi-aggressive, and with proper caution, be compatible in a reef environment.

10. Lawnmower Blenny

Quick Info: Eats algae, inexpensive, hardy
Scientific Name: Salarias fasciatus
Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Diet: Herbivore
Temperament: Peaceful

The Lawnmower Blenny is a peaceful and active fish. It’s also inexpensive and hardy; making it a good choice for beginner marine aquarists. Its mottled tan color, oversized eyes, and typical body shape of the Blenny family adds visual appeal to any saltwater aquarium.

Like other Blennies, it will perch on live rock, hide in caves, and hop across substrate. It also helps keep your aquarium clean by eating algae.

The Lawnmower Blenny is peaceful towards other tank mates unless they are similar in shape or appearance to a Blenny, therefore it is best have an individual Blenny unless kept in a larger aquarium and the two are a mated pair. Use caution when placed with Coral as it is known to nip at small-polyped stony coral and clam mantles.

11. Diamond Goby

Quick Info: Hardy, cleans sand
Scientific Name: Valenciennea puellaris
Care Level: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Peaceful

The Diamond Goby can be a timid fish, but makes a great addition to a reef aquarium because of its longevity, hardiness, and it helps clean sand.

It is best in a 30 gallon or larger aquarium with live sand as the substrate, because it uses shallow burrows in the substrate as a refuge, which keeps the substrate well oxygenated. The Diamond Goby is rarely becomes aggressive towards other fish, but can be territorial and will fight with its own kind unless they are a mated pair.

12. Six Line Wrasse

Quick Info: Inexpensive, colorful
Scientific Name: Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
Care Level: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Semi-aggressive

The Six Line Wrasse is inexpensive, colorful, and active; making it a great addition to the beginner’s marine aquarium. It requires a peaceful environment with a good amount of hiding places and live rock on which they can forage.

The Six Line Wrasse is generally peaceful but may act aggressively towards other Wrasses and other easily-intimidated fish. This is especially true if it is not adequately fed or if its habitat doesn’t have places in which to hide.

13. Royal Gramma

Quick Info: Inexpensive, hardy
Scientific Name: Gramma loreto
Care Level: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Peaceful

The Royal Gramma is an inexpensive fish and adds a nice burst of color to any saltwater aquarium. Due to its unique color pattern and smaller adult size, the Gramma is a good beginner fish for nano reef systems. It also prefers rockwork in which to hide and somewhat subdued lighting.

While they get along well with most aquarium mates of similar size and temperament, the Royal Gramma will get territorial with its own kind; so having just one in your aquarium is best.

14. Coral Beauty Angelfish

Quick Info: Hardy, colorful
Scientific Name: Centropyge bispinosa
Care Level: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Diet: Omnivore
Temperament: Semi-aggressive

If you want to start out with a larger saltwater aquarium, at 70 gallons or more, the Coral Beauty Angelfish is a great addition because it is hardy and colorful. It can also do fine individually or in small schools.

Although Coral Beauties don’t require coral in an aquarium, they do need lots of hiding places and live rock for grazing. It is also prone to nip at stony and soft corals so use caution if you plan to put it in a reef aquarium.

15. Rusty Angelfish

Quick Info: Hardy, colorful
Care Level: Moderate
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Diet: Omnivore
Temperament: Semi-aggressive

The Rusty Angelfish is named after its red/amber coloration with black dots. Even though their care level is listed as moderate, they are a hardy and colorful fish.

However, this fish requires at a minimum a 70 gallon tank with large amounts of live rock for hiding and grazing. Use caution if placing it within a reef tank, though, as the Rusty Angelfish is known to nip at stony and soft corals and clam mantles.

16. Dottyback

Quick Info: Hardy, comes in different colors
Scientific Name: Pseudochromidae
Care Level: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Another good choice for the beginner saltwater enthusiast, the Dottyback is a hardy fish that comes in various colors including blue, purple, and yellow as well as bicolor that are half yellow and half purple.

This fish will need a minimum aquarium size of 30 gallons. The Dottyback can be aggressive, but with the correct tank size, plenty of hiding spots, and a good diet, they’re typically happy and non-confrontational.

17. Chalk Bass

Quick Info: Small, hardy, colorful
Scientific Name: Serranus tortugarum
Care Level: Easy
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Semi-aggressive

A very hardy, colorful, and small fish, the Chalk Bass is a great saltwater fish for beginners.

It is durable and can even live in less than optimal water conditions, which when you’re just starting out, having a tolerant fish like a Chalk Bass makes it easier to learn proper care.

Several Chalk Bass can live in the same aquarium, but it’s important to introduce them all at the same time to avoid territorial fighting within the species. A 30 gallon aquarium with abundant live rock for hiding is ideal for the Chalk Bass. It will also not pick at corals or sessile invertebrates and are a great fish for a reef aquarium.

18. Yellow Coris Wrasse

Quick Info: Small, hardy, active
Scientific Name: Halichoeres chrysus
Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Peaceful

The Yellow Coris Wrasse, also referred to as a Golden Rainbowfish, Golden Wrasse, or Canary Wrasse, is another hardy and small fish good for beginners.

Although a smaller saltwater fish, the Yellow Coris Wrasse is active and should have a tank size of 50 gallons or larger with a sealed lid. A sandy substrate of 2-3 inches to hide under when frightened should also be included.

The Yellow Coris Wrasse is peaceful and will generally get along with other peaceful Wrasse, including its own species. It will also protect corals and clams by eating fireworms and pyramidellid snails as well as eat parasites off tank mates.

19. Green Coris Wrasse

Quick Info: Small, hardy, active
Scientific Name: Halichoeres Chloropterus
Care Level: Moderate
Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Peaceful

The Green Coris Wrasse, also referred to as a Pastel Green Wrasse, is a hardy and small fish good for beginners. Although a smaller saltwater fish, the Green Coris Wrasse is active and should have a tank size of 75 gallons or larger with a sealed lid and a sandy substrate of 2-3 inches to hide under when frightened.

The Green Coris Wrasse is peaceful and will generally get along with other peaceful Wrasse, including its own species. It will also protect corals and clams by eating fireworms and pyramidellid snails as well as eat parasites off tank mates.

20. Bicolor Angelfish

Quick Info: Hardy, colorful
Scientific Name: Centropyge bicolor
Care Level: Moderate
Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons
Diet: Omnivore
Temperament: Semi-aggressive

The Bicolor Angelfish, also known as a Two-colored Angelfish or Oriole Angelfish, is a hardy fish with yellow on the first half of its body and blue on the second half.

A 70 gallon tank with plenty of hiding places and live rock for grazing is best for this Angelfish. However, the Bicolor Angelfish is not a good reef dweller because it is prone to nip at stony and soft corals and clam mantles.

3 Ways to Introduce New Saltwater Fish into an Aquarium

When adding fish to your new or established saltwater aquarium, there are a few ways to do it safely and without causing stress to your newest addition.

1.

Drip Acclimation

Drip acclimation is considered the safest way to add fish to your aquarium. For drip acclimation you will need a clean bucket, a piece of tubing that can reach from inside the tank to the bucket, and some way to secure the tube in place.

First, take the bag your fish came in and either place it in its entirety in the bucket, or if there is enough water in the bag, you can empty it (fish and all) into the bucket. If you use the bag, poke a hole in the top to be able to insert the tubing.

Next, you’ll want to start a siphon so the water from your aquarium drips into the bag or bucket at about one drop per second. Once the volume of water in the bucket reaches about twice what you began with, remove half the water, and let it fill back up again.

Once the water fills back up test the pH and salinity of both the aquarium water and water in the bucket. If they match you can add the fish to the aquarium. Otherwise, repeat the process and test the water again.

Drip acclimation is considered the safest way because it allows the water from the aquarium to slowly mix with the water the fish came in, which will let the fish acclimate to the new water without placing it inside the tank right way.

2.

Floating Bag

The floating bag method is commonly used for freshwater fish, but it also works with saltwater fish. The floating bag method is a little riskier because you don’t have a separation between your aquarium and the new fish like you do with the drip method, which means it could cause problems if the new fish is contaminated.

First, open the bag and remove about a quarter of the water and replace it with aquarium water. Then close the top of the bag again and let it float in the aquarium. Add another cup of aquarium water every fifteen minutes. Do this until the bag is full.

Once the fish has had an hour to acclimate to the changes you can add it to the aquarium. It is best to use a net when adding the fish to the aquarium because it is safer than simply dumping the whole bag. Using a net keeps the water that came from the pet store out of aquarium in case it is contaminated.

3.

Bucket Acclimation

The next method is bucket acclimation. This is the same as the floating bag method; except done in the bucket instead of the aquarium. This way is a little less risky because the process is done away from your aquarium, thereby lessening the chance of contaminating the aquarium water.

First, place some aquarium water in the bucket. Then follow the same method as the floating bag steps, only floating the bag in the bucket instead of inside the aquarium.

Other Considerations

When building a saltwater aquarium community from scratch it is best to start with the least aggressive fish. Then add one type of fish at a time; letting them get used to each other before adding the more aggressive fish.

Another thing to consider when adding new fish to any aquarium is using a quarantine tank. A quarantine tank is an empty, cycled tank that you can put new fish in and watch them for a few weeks before adding them to your aquarium. This way, you can ensure they aren’t sick or contaminated and as a result, won’t harm the rest of the fish in your aquarium.

Final Thoughts

While saltwater aquariums are higher maintenance than freshwater aquariums, choosing the correct fish will make the process easier and leave room to learn from minor mistakes. If you are still feeling unsure about the maintenance, consider our maintenance and service plans.

Reef Aquariums: Is Bigger Really Better?

Beginner Coral Species: Low-Light Corals

Keeping corals in a saltwater aquarium can be challenging but these low-light species are perfect for beginners.

The Top 5 Most Colorful Corals for a Saltwater Tank

With more than 2,000 different species of coral out there, how do you choose the right option for your tank?

SPOTLIGHT ON THE APPLE SNAIL

Also known as the mystery snail, apple snails are a popular addition to the freshwater tank.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT BUTTERFLYFISH FOR YOUR REEF TANK

Cultivating a reef tank is a unique challenge, not only because caring for corals is tricky but because it can be difficult to find reef-safe fish.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST SALTWATER AQUARIUM MISTAKES AND HOW DO YOU FIX THEM?

Cultivating a saltwater aquarium is a hobby full of exciting challenges, but sometimes those challenges can get the better of you.

SALTWATER AQUARIUM ARTICLES

REEF TANKS

Cultivating a saltwater reef tank can be a rewarding experience but it can also be a challenge. The articles in this section will provide you with the information you need to set up your reef tank and to make sure that it thrives.

Beginner Coral Species: Low-Light Corals

Keeping corals in a saltwater aquarium can be challenging but these low-light species are perfect for beginners.

Types of Coral for Reef Tanks

Stocking a reef tank can be a challenge because there are so many different types of coral to choose from.

The Top 5 Most Colorful Corals for a Saltwater Tank

With more than 2,000 different species of coral out there, how do you choose the right option for your tank?

Common Myths and Problems Regarding Nano Reef Tanks

Cultivating a nano reef tank can be an exciting challenge.

Reef Aquariums

An overview of the reef aquarium along with a short history.

Tips for Using Rockwork in Saltwater and Reef Aquariums

Building a beautiful saltwater tank landscape out of rock is a challenge but with some helpful tips you can make it work.

What is a Nano Reef?

Whether you are looking for a new challenge as a saltwater aquarium enthusiast or you are trying your hand at a reef tank for the first time, a nano reef is a great way to go.

How to Care for Marine Blue Sponges

The blue sponge makes a great addition to the marine tank.

Reef Aquariums: Is Bigger Really Better?

Cultivating a reef tank is an exciting but challenging task – learn more about choosing the right size for your reef tank.

Set-up Guide for a Reef Tank

If you have ever considered starting a reef tank, read this setup guide to make sure you start your reef tank off right.

Recommended Species for Nano Tanks

Cultivating a nano tank can be an exciting challenge but unless you choose the right fish for your tank, you may be in trouble.

Bristle Worms in the Marine Tank

Dealing with pests is an inescapable part of cultivating a marine tank.

Feeding Corals – Keeping Your Saltwater Invertebrates Healthy

If you want to keep your saltwater or reef tank healthy, you need to learn the basics of feeding corals.

Read more articles (13)Aquarium Setup (11)

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There are several different types of saltwater aquariums to choose from and each has its benefits and drawbacks.

Saltwater versus Freshwater Aquariums

Learn the arguments for choosing to set-up either a freshwater or saltwater aquarium.

Stocking a Brackish Aquarium

A brackish aquarium is an exciting challenge for the aquarium hobbyist.

What Are the Biggest Saltwater Aquarium Mistakes and How Do You Fix Them?

Cultivating a saltwater aquarium is a hobby full of exciting challenges, but sometimes those challenges can get the better of you.

Tips for Keeping Nocturnal Fish in the Marine Aquarium

When the sun sets and the moon rises, the reef doesn’t go silent – a whole new group of inhabitants comes out to play.

Preparing Saltwater for your Marine Tank

Setting up and maintaining a marine tank can be a challenging experience and preparing your saltwater correctly is one of the most important tasks.

Setting Up A Saltwater Tank System

What to Consider before Starting.

Saltwater Aquariums

A brief introduction to saltwater aquariums.

How to Start a Brackish Tank

If you are looking for a new challenge as an aquarium hobbyist, try cultivating a brackish tank.

Handy Aquarium Accessories and Devices

There are many accessories and handy devices which can make your life as an aquarium hobbyist easier.

Getting The Tank Ready

Creating an ecosystem.

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One of the most important things you must to do ensure the health of your marine tank is to achieve and maintain the ideal temperature.

Salinity Requirements in a Saltwater Aquarium

The key to maintaining a healthy saltwater aquarium is to strike the right balance in the salinity of your tank water.

What You Need to Know About pH in Marine Aquariums

Maintaining proper water quality in your tank is essential but many aquarium hobbyists overlook one important aspect – pH.

How to Modify PH in a Saltwater Tank

The pH level in your saltwater tank is incredibly important for the health and vitality of your tank.

The Benefits of Algae in Saltwater Tanks

Many aquarium hobbyists assume that algae in the aquarium can only be bad.

How to Deal with Marine Fungus in the Saltwater Aquarium

Fungal spores are present in all aquariums but, if you are not careful, they can become a problem in the saltwater tank.

Getting Rid of Aiptasia in Your Reef Aquarium

Learn about aiptasia in the reef aquarium and how to get rid of it.

Dealing with Hard Water in the Saltwater Tank

When it comes to maintaining a healthy saltwater tank, water quality is extremely important.

How to Remove a Mantis Shrimp From a Saltwater Aquarium

In this article you will receive an overview of what mantis shrimp are, how they can impact your saltwater aquarium, and how to remove them properly.

Maintenance Schedule for Reef Tanks

Maintaining a reef tank can be a challenge but as long as you keep up with your routine maintenance tasks, you should have no problem.

The Dangers of High Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate

Water quality is extremely important in maintaining a saltwater tank.

Why Do Fish Disappear from the Saltwater Tank?

There is nothing as heart-breaking as losing a fish but it can be even more devastating when the fish simply disappears.

Why is Water Flow So Important in a Reef Tank?

Cultivating a thriving reef tank can be a challenge with all of the requirements you must meet.

How to Solve Common Saltwater Tank Problems

Cultivating a thriving saltwater tank can be a challenge but it is also incredibly rewarding.

Saltwater and Reef Tank Cycling

Tips on cycling your fishtank.

What NOT to do with a Saltwater Tank

Learn what “not” to do when starting out with your saltwater fish or reef tank.

Maintaining Your Saltwater Tank

Tips for maintaining a saltwater fish tank.

Kalkwasser for the Marine Tank

Maintaining proper calcium levels is an important part of keeping your marine tank healthy.

Aquarium Lighting (3)

UV Sterilizers for Reef Aquariums

A UV sterilizer is a valuable piece of equipment to add to your reef tank or fish-only saltwater aquarium.

Tips for Lighting a Reef Tank

When it comes to maintaining a thriving reef tank the type of lighting system you choose is incredibly important.

Saltwater Aquarium Lighting and Heating

Kind of lights you need.

Heating and Filtration (8)

Saltwater Aquarium Filtration

The type of filtration system you choose for your saltwater aquarium is incredibly important.

How to Keep Your Saltwater Aquarium from Overheating

Learn how to keep your saltwater aquarium from overheating.

Reverse Osmosis for the Saltwater Tank

If you want to keep a healthy and thriving saltwater tank, you need to start with high-quality water.

Foam Build-up on Saltwater Tank Surface

Foam build-up is a common problem in the saltwater tank.

Wavemakers for Saltwater Tanks

If you want to keep your saltwater tank healthy, you need to consider the ideal level of water flow.

What is Protein Skimming?

Learn about protein skimming, why it’s important, and which aquarists should use it.

Common Problems with Heating in Saltwater Tanks

Maintaining a stable water temperature in your saltwater tank is important for the health and well-being of your fish.

What is an Aquarium Sump?

If you are new to the aquarium hobby you may not be familiar with the term “sump”.

Nutrition and Feeding (6)

Tips for Feeding Saltwater Aquarium Fish

What you feed your fish will determine whether or not their reach their full potential.

How to Raise Brine Shrimp

Brine shrimp are an excellent source of protein for aquarium fish and they are very easy to raise at home.

Live Foods for Marine Fish

Feeding your fish a proper diet is the key to keeping them healthy.

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Feeding saltwater aquarium fish can be tricky, especially when your fish refuse to eat.

Nutritional Needs of Saltwater Aquarium Fish

In order to keep your saltwater aquarium fish healthy you need to understand and meet their basic nutritional needs.

Top Commercial Foods for Saltwater Fish

What you feed your saltwater aquarium fish will play a major role in determining their health and vitality.

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How to Deal with Marine Ich in the Saltwater Aquarium

Marine Ich is a common disease affecting saltwater aquarium fish and, unless you know how to deal with it, it can spread quickly throughout your tank.

Common Saltwater Aquarium Fish Diseases

No matter how hard you try, you cannot completely protect your fish from falling ill.

How to Treat Saltwater Aquarium Parasites with Freshwater

Parasites can quickly become a major problem in the saltwater aquarium if you do not address the issue immediately.

Good Medications to Keep on Hand

In the event that your fish become ill it is important that you take action to begin a treatment regimen as soon as possible.

How to Prevent Saltwater Fish Diseases

There is nothing quite so heartbreaking as losing one of your fish to disease.

Aquarium Decorations (3)

Creating Your Own Live Rock for Saltwater Tanks

Live rock is the foundation for any thriving saltwater tank and it is the base for saltwater aquarium decor.

How to Cure Your Live Rock Before Placing it in Your Aquarium

Learn how to properly cure live rock before placing it in your tank.

Creating an Aquascape and Choosing Fish

Creating an aquascape.

Stocking the Tank (27)

Guide for Keeping Anemones in a Reef Tank

Keeping anemones in a reef tank can be a challenge if you are not fully prepared.

Tips for Caring for Tangs Properly

Tangs are a group of fish that make excellent additions to the saltwater tank.

Establishing up a Clean-up Crew in Your Saltwater Aquarium

Learn how to properly select and establish a clean-up crew in a saltwater or reef aquarium.

Sea Urchins in the Saltwater Tank

If you are looking for a unique invertebrate to add to your saltwater tank, consider the sea urchin.

Hermit Crabs in Saltwater Tanks

Hermit crabs do more than just add decoration to the saltwater tank — they can also help to keep your tank clean.

Choosing the Right Butterflyfish for Your Reef Tank

Cultivating a reef tank is a unique challenge, not only because caring for corals is tricky but because it can be difficult to find reef-safe fish.

Keeping Lionfish in the Home Aquarium

The lionfish is a beautiful but deadly fish that makes a unique addition to the saltwater aquarium.

Stocking Salt Water Reef Tanks

Learn how to select the right quantity and combination of fish for your saltwater aquarium.

Keeping Moray Eels in the Marine Tank

Moray eels can be a challenge to keep in the home aquarium but they are well worth it.

Clownfish in the Reef Aquarium

Clownfish are one of the most recognizable types of saltwater aquarium fish.

What’s That? The Top 10 Strangest Looking Saltwater Fish

There are some odd=looking animals out there but these ten saltwater fish are among the strangest.

Why Are Tangs Some of the Best Fish for Reef Tanks?

Tangs are not just some of the most brightly colored species of tropical saltwater fish – they are also great additions to the reef tank.

Selecting and Caring for Saltwater Angelfish

Saltwater angelfish are some of the most colorful saltwater fish available.

What Are Good Saltwater Fish For Beginners

What makes a saltwater fish a good candidate for beginners?

Sea Cucumbers for Reef Tanks

Sea cucumbers are found throughout the ocean but they are a popular addition to saltwater reef tanks.

Keeping and Breeding Mandarinfish

Mandarinfish are a small, colorful species of saltwater aquarium fish.

Marine Shrimp for the Saltwater or Reef Tank

Marine shrimp can be a useful addition to the saltwater tank – just be sure to pick the right species.

Understanding the Coloration of Saltwater Fish

Have you ever been dazzled by the bright colors and bold patterns of a school of saltwater fish?

The Benefits of Snails in the Saltwater Tank

While snails are often viewed as a nuisance in the freshwater tank, they can serve a valuable purpose in the saltwater aquarium.

Caring for Saltwater Gobies

The Goby family is one of the largest families of marine fishes, having over 2,000 unique species.

Top Recommendations for Tank-Raised Saltwater Fish

When purchasing saltwater aquarium fish, you need to think about whether the fish are tank-raised or captive-bred.

The Benefits of Purchasing Saltwater Fish Online

If you are thinking about buying some new fish for your saltwater tank, think about purchasing them online!

Saltwater Species That Should Not be Kept by Beginners (and Sometimes not Even by the Experienced)

Learn about saltwater animals that beginners (and sometimes experts) should avoid keeping.

The Secret to Keeping Seahorses

If you are looking for a unique inhabitant to add to your saltwater tank, consider the seahorse.

Tank-Raised Fish for Saltwater Aquariums

Stocking the saltwater aquarium can be an exciting challenge, especially when you have so many options to choose from.

Commonly Available Reef-Safe Fish & Invertebrates

Learn about commonly available reef-safe fish and invertebrates that are good candidates for your reef aquarium.

Saltwater Fish Article Database

Articles on dozens of saltwater fish and appropriate care.

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General Aquarium Articles
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Freshwater Aquarium Articles
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Saltwater Aquarium Articles
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Miscellaneous Aquarium Articles
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Product Reviews (Freshwater)
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Product Review (Saltwater)
( 1 articles )

World’s 10 Largest Aquariums – Publications

The most common home marine aquarium size is 500 or 700 liters, although some aquarists have set marine aquariums to a ton or two. Public saltwater aquariums can be considerably larger than any home saltwater aquarium. But only a few of them are large enough to make the list of the largest aquariums in the world. An aquarium that can contain whale sharks and manta rays.

So here is a list of the top large aquariums in the world.

10. Western Australia Aquarium (3 million liters)

Western Australia Aquarium, abbreviated as AQWA, located in the coastal suburb of Perth, contains the largest aquarium in Australia. The aquarium’s main tank is 40 meters long and 20 meters wide and holds 3,000,000 liters of sea water. It includes an underwater tunnel 98 meters long. For a fee, snorkellers and divers can get even closer to the fish, sharks and rays by joining the aquarium’s master diver in exploring the underwater world.

9. Genoa Aquarium (3.78 million liters)

The Genoa Aquarium in Italy, built for Expo 92, is one of the largest aquariums in Europe. The aquarium’s 70 tanks reproduce marine and terrestrial habitats from around the world and are home to over 6,000 animals. Some reservoirs reproduce natural environments from different areas such as the Mediterranean, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. The most impressive of them are those where sharks, dolphins and seals live.

8. Shanghai Aquarium (3.8 million liters)

Shanghai Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in Asia. It consists of 9 exhibition areas around the world, including the China area, the Antarctic area and the Australia area. The China Zone is home to several endangered Chinese aquatic species, including rare and valuable species from the Yangtze River. The biggest attraction of the aquarium is the underwater tunnel. At 155 meters, it is the longest underwater tunnel in the world.

7. uShaka Marine World (3.8 million liters)

UShaka Marine World is a theme park located in Durban, South Africa. It houses the largest aquarium in Africa with 32 aquariums. The sea creatures that live in an aquarium range from small seahorses to sharks and dolphins. The aquarium is built in the form of old ruins and contains many restaurants and cafes. The most famous of these restaurants is the Cargo Hold Restaurant, which has a wall-to-wall aquarium with many sharks visible from much of the dining area.

6. Monterey Bay Aquarium (4.5 million liters)

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is located on the site of a former sardine cannery on Cannery Row in Monterey, California. Among the numerous exhibits of the aquarium are two giant aquariums. The centerpiece of the Ocean’s Edge Wing is a 10m, 1.3 million liter aquarium for observing California’s coastal marine life. The other is a 4.5 million liter tank in the Outer Bay Wing. The exhibit features stingrays, jellyfish, sea otters and many other native marine species that can be seen above and below the waterline.

5. Turkuazú (4.9 million liters)

Turkuazú, opened in 2009, is the first giant aquarium in Turkey with areas of tropical forests, flooded forests and tropical seas. The aquarium is located inside the Forum Istanbul shopping center and contains an 80-meter underwater tunnel. Turkuazou hosts around 10,000 sea creatures including tiger sharks, giant rays and piranhas in 29 different exhibits, the largest of which holds 5 million liters of water.

4. L’Oceanogràfic (7 million litres)

L’Oceanogràfic is a marine complex that presents a variety of marine habitats. It is integrated into the complex known as the City of Arts and Sciences in the city of Valencia, Spain. Oceanogràfic is home to the largest aquarium in Europe with over 45,000 marine life. They inhabit nine underwater towers built on two levels that represent several marine ecosystems. The two underwater towers are connected by a 35-meter underwater tunnel filled with sharks, rays and 7 million liters of water.

3. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (7.49 million liters)

The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is located in Ocean Expo Park in Japan and opened in 2002. The main tank of the aquarium, called the Kuroshio Sea, holds 7.5 million liters of water and features an 8.2 by 22.5 meter thick acrylic glass panel, the largest such panel in the world at the time the aquarium opened. Whale sharks and manta rays are kept along with many other fish species in the Kuroshio Sea. As of July 2010, four manta rays have been born in the aquarium.

2. Dubai Mall Aquarium (10 million liters)

Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest shopping centers in the world, is part of the $20 billion Burj Dubai complex in Dubai. The centerpiece of the mall is a giant aquarium that holds 10 million liters of water. The aquarium is home to over 33,000 live animals, including over 400 sharks and rays. It is officially listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the “Largest Acrylic Panel in the World”. The panel measures 8.3 by 32.88 meters and is 75 centimeters thick, beating Japan’s Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. In February 2010, a tank filled with sharks leaked, leading to an evacuation and a brief shutdown of the mall.

1. Georgia Aquarium (23.8 million liters)

The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is the largest aquarium in the world with over 100,000 marine life. Funded primarily by a $250 million donation from Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus, the aquarium opened in November 2005. The Georgia Aquarium is the only facility outside of Asia that keeps whale sharks. The sharks are kept in a giant 24 million liter tank at the Ocean Voyager exhibit. There has been controversy surrounding the Georgia Aquarium’s decision to house whale sharks. Concerns about keeping whale sharks in captivity have been heightened by the deaths of two originally harvested whale sharks.

Is it easy to make a house reef?

Marine Aquarium is crystal clear water of a cold bluish tint, bright fish of a bizarre shape, scurrying between stones covered with pink and purple algae, thickets of corals swaying in time with the movement of water. A well-equipped and sufficiently large marine aquarium becomes the center of the interior, eye-catching. However, the aquarium should not only please the eye, but also provide comfortable conditions for its inhabitants.

Science and life // Illustrations

The yellow tang is one of the most popular fish among marine aquarists.

The presence of a refugium – a separate aquarium connected to the main aquarium into a single system – greatly simplifies the organization of water filtration.

This is how the organic waste that the skimmer pumps out of the water looks like.

Butterfly fish are beautiful but love to eat corals.

Shrimp – one of the inhabitants of the marine aquarium.

One of the options for setting up an aquarium (side view).

Marine aquarium nitrogen cycle.

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Probably, if the marine aquarium was not such an impressive addition to the interior, not many people would dare to spend a substantial amount just to have a piece of the ocean in their room. In fact, for many people, a reef aquarium is just another piece of furniture, and when deciding to purchase it, they think more about how it will look than about how to create decent living conditions for its inhabitants. However, a beautiful aquarium is an aquarium inhabited by healthy animals that form a balanced community. And it is impossible to create one without first spending enough time studying modern manuals for setting up marine aquariums, without learning as much as possible about the biology and habits of potential inhabitants, without trying to understand the ecology of the reef and ocean.

The main difficulty in creating marine aquariums is that most ocean animals are used to living in an environment with almost constant characteristics, and changes that freshwater fish will not notice are shocking to them. Marine fish cannot stand temperature changes, cannot live in stagnant, oxygen-poor water, and require a strictly defined habitat chemistry. Therefore, the life support system of a marine aquarium is very complex, but one cannot do without it.

First of all, the necessary part of the aquarium is “live” stones, that is, stones that were once part of the ocean reef (sometimes you can even discern the structure of former corals in them). The best “living” stones are those that are overgrown with sea worms, algae, sponges and are inhabited by many small marine life. “Live” stones with partially dead inhabitants require “treatment” – long-term exposure to sea running water. If “live” stones are not available, “land” stones can be used instead, provided they are non-toxic. However, in this case, it is much more difficult to obtain a viable reef, since bacteria and microscopic animals live on sea stones, which are part of the complex of natural biological water filtration.

Another important ingredient is sand. Not colored pebbles, not gravel, but sand – necessarily sea and, moreover, “alive”. More often, aquarists buy dry coral sand, and it becomes “alive” already in the aquarium, but in this case it is better to immediately mix in at least a little “live” sand.

Fans of artificial decorations (caves, skulls, sunken ships, painted coral skeletons, etc.) need to remember that salt water destroys materials much more actively than fresh water, so the risk of poisoning the system with destruction products in this case is very high. Metals are especially dangerous: one coin dropped into a reef can kill all its inhabitants.

A strictly necessary filtering element of the reef system is a skimmer or skimmer. In it, sea water containing organic substances (mainly proteins) is churned into foam, which then flows into a special cup. Everyone who has ever seen the dark brown or black liquid that the skimmer pumps out of the aquarium is deeply grateful for this invention.

Most often, a refugium is attached to a marine aquarium – a small auxiliary aquarium standing under the main aquarium and connected to it by pipes. The water from the main tank drains into the refugium, and a powerful pump pumps it back. Part of the refugium is occupied by a plantation of algae, which catch harmful substances from the water. It also houses various aquarium equipment, including a skimmer and thermostats. To install a refugium, the aquarist must learn how to twist and glue plastic pipes. This must be done in good conscience – a torn pipe or a miscalculation in the design will lead to the fact that tens (or even hundreds) of liters of sea water will pour onto the floor.

If you want to keep live corals, you need to take care of the lighting. Putting corals in an aquarium without special reef lighting is like putting houseplants in a dark closet, as many corals, like plants, use photosynthesis.

Since temperature changes are detrimental to almost all marine organisms, an effective thermostat-heater should be in the aquarium.

To ensure “oceanic” currents, special pumps (pumps) are placed in the aquarium to mix the water. Usually two to four compact pumps are required, placed at opposite ends of the aquarium. They create the current necessary for corals and marine fish, which carries water between stones and sand (natural filters), carries nutrients to the corals, and helps the fish navigate. Without intense water movement, the reef cannot live, although, of course, no pumps can recreate real ocean currents.

In addition, many other devices are used in aquariums, such as mechanical filters, ozonizers, sterilizers with ultraviolet lamps, columns that maintain the required level of calcium, etc. However, if you follow the rules for selecting inhabitants, which will be discussed below, then the number of equipment in the aquarium can be significantly reduced. It is important to know that the life support system must necessarily provide biological filtration (the passage of well-aerated water through a porous surface inhabited by bacteria), mechanical removal of organic matter from the water (skimmer and mechanical filters), adequate lighting and a constant temperature. Hoping an aquarium can do without some sort of filtration component is just as pointless as expecting a human being to be able to live without a liver or kidneys.

Those for whom aquarists build all these technical marvels are marine animals. And here another fly in the ointment awaits sea lovers. Firstly, from the moment you fill the aquarium with water and mix salt, and until the moment when the first fish can be put into it, as a rule, several weeks should pass. In some cases, the aquarium is empty for two or three months, pleasing the eye only with a pile of stones. And even then, when after repeated testing of the water you still decide to put the first fish there, you will need to inhabit the reef very gradually – one small fish per week. Patience and gradualism are the two magic words of the marine aquarium hobby. Biological filters will work in full force only after a year, when a sufficiently large colony of beneficial bacteria grows on stones and sand, but even then the allowable number of fish will be noticeably less than in a freshwater aquarium of the same size. Secondly, the conscientious animal lover may be uncomfortably struck by the fact that almost all the fish available for sale are fish caught on ocean reefs (only a few fish can be raised in captivity). Alas, often for marine fish, the journey from the reef to the aquarium becomes the road of death, and only a few escape the sad fate.

To catch a nimble fish on a coral reef, where there are a lot of secluded places in which it can hide, there are two methods – to catch it with a net or net (which is very difficult) or to paralyze it with poison (quickly and efficiently). In the latter case, “hunters” use cyanide compounds (salts of sodium or potassium), which cause reversible paralysis in fish. This method became widespread in the Philippines in the 70s and 80s of the last century, and after the Philippine reefs became impoverished (largely due to predatory methods of fishing), it migrated to Indonesia.

After recovering from paralysis, the fish looks quite healthy. Since after some time cyanides are completely removed from the fish body, this method is also used to catch live tropical fish for gourmets. Scientists do not yet know how the consumption of poisoned fish affects the human body, but no one doubts that this method of fishing causes irreversible damage to reefs and extremely negatively affects the health of fish. The cyanide syndrome, well known to aquarium experts, includes the unexplained death of fish, suppression of appetite, up to the complete refusal of food, and the death of fish after the first feeding. In addition, according to experts, 90% of fish caught with cyanide die during transportation, as the body weakened by the poison cannot withstand the hardships of a long journey. How many “cyanide” fish then die in amateur aquariums, no one counted.

Cyanide fishing is not used (or at least not widely and universally used) in Hawaii, the Caribbean and the Red Sea, so be sure to ask where this fish came from. It is also recommended not to buy the fish right away, but to watch it for a week (if they buy it, it’s okay, you can choose another one or leave a deposit next time). If after a week the fish is alive, healthy and well-fed, then there is a chance that it will take root well in the aquarium.

In addition to the fact that you need to buy only those fish that are healthy and active, it is very important to choose a variety of fish that is distinguished by endurance and relatively low requirements for keeping conditions. Some fish, as beautiful as they are, have little chance of surviving in captivity, either because they require special food or because they are sensitive to water quality. For example, seahorses in a home aquarium are obviously doomed to death, unless this aquarium is owned by a specialist in breeding them. Scorpionfish and conger eels are aggressive and eat all fish that are smaller than them. Many species of butterfly fish eat only live corals and invariably starve to death in the home aquarium. On the contrary, clown fish (characters of the cartoon “Finding Nemo”) combine unpretentiousness, cheerful disposition and bright colors. The yellow tang fish looks very impressive, easily adapts to a well-established aquarium and is indispensable if you need to keep growing algae under control, and cardinal fish can even breed in captivity. The need to limit yourself to only those fish whose survival in the aquarium is most likely, of course, narrows the choice, but it avoids both financial losses and moral distress.

When populating a marine aquarium, it is important to stick to one of three basic schemes: fish only (no corals or invertebrates), fish and hardy invertebrates (usually crabs, snails and shrimps) and a reef with a variety of corals. If you have chosen a reef, then from the very beginning you need to select animals that can live in peace and harmony with corals. For example, butterfly fish or elegant angels, beloved by aquarists, are not averse to feasting on corals, and they do not belong in a reef aquarium.

In conclusion, a few words about maintaining a marine aquarium. While it’s often recommended to hire a professional to do this, it’s really not that hard if you again prioritize the survival of the fish and not just the appearance of your reef. It is necessary to regularly empty the skimmer cup, check and, if necessary, change mechanical filters, add fresh water to replace the one that has evaporated (salt does not evaporate, so it does not need to be replenished), if necessary, add calcium, iodine and some other substances and once every two weeks ( or at least once a month) change 10 to 20% of the water in the aquarium. The latter is necessary, because, despite all the filters, a certain amount of toxins still accumulate in the aquarium, which, if allowed to accumulate without restrictions, can kill all the fish in one unlucky day. It is also necessary to regularly check the water quality: acidity, ammonium, nitrite and nitrate content and other parameters. At first it is done daily, then once every two weeks. Other duties are practically the same as maintaining any aquarium. After gaining experience, this does not take much time, and with sufficient dedication, it is more of a rest than hard work.

“How many fish have died already?” a lady who was thinking about buying a marine aquarium asked me. “My friend buys new fish all the time, he has already died so many of them! But is this normal for a marine aquarium?”.

Yes, fish, of course, die. My first fish died because I was too hasty with settling in a new tank, then two more fish jumped out on the floor because I, contrary to advice, did not close the tank securely enough, and another fish died after refusing food (it is possible that she had cyanide syndrome). But the death of fish is always the result of our mistakes, our neglect of details, it is always a symptom that something has been done wrong, something has been overlooked. And although many people think that the loss of fish in a marine aquarium is inevitable and forgivable, in fact, it is possible to do without victims or almost without victims. All it takes is to make the survival of the fish a top priority when setting up and populating your aquarium. And in reality it is not such a difficult task.

Details for the curious

BIOFILTERS FOR SEA AQUARIUM

In a marine aquarium, in contrast to a freshwater aquarium, the typical combination of a mechanical filter and activated carbon plays a secondary role. The function of water purification here is performed primarily by a biological filtration system, supplemented by a skimmer.

Protein matter enters the aquarium either in the form of food (unaltered proteins) or already digested along with fish excrement. Of course, the death of any inhabitant of the aquarium also leads to the appearance of decaying protein.

Proteins are first decomposed into amino acids, and then they break down with the release of ammonia NH ₃, which is extremely toxic to all marine animals. There is a group of aerobic (oxygen-loving) bacteria that convert ammonia to nitrite, but nitrite is also toxic. Part of the nitrites gradually turns into gaseous nitric oxide, and the rest get to lunch with other bacteria that oxidize nitrites to nitrates. Nitrates are toxic only in high concentrations. And, finally, anaerobic bacteria (they do not need oxygen), living in the depths of sand or under stones, decompose nitrates to nitrogen gas.

There are very few bacteria in a newly installed aquarium. To stimulate the development of bacteria, ammonia is either added to the water or pieces of fish are tossed. As the first group of bacteria develops, the concentration of ammonia in the water begins to decrease, but the concentration of nitrites increases. Then the concentration of nitrates begins to rise. And only after 4-6 weeks, an equilibrium is finally established, in which both ammonia and nitrite are quickly removed from the water, and nitrates are gradually destroyed without accumulating to dangerous limits. Only after that the aquarium can be populated.

There are different ways to create aerobic-anaerobic bacteria plantations. The general idea is to give the bacteria as much surface as possible, part of which will be in contact with air. At one time, dry-wet biological filters were popular. Now the simpler so-called Berlin system and its modifications have gained popularity. According to the Berlin system, all biological filtration is carried out on the surface of “live” stones. For such a system to be effective, stones should be on the order of 30-40% of the volume of the aquarium. A skimmer is also needed.

The skimmer exploits the ability of many organic compounds (not just proteins) to collect at the water-air interface, resulting in foam. In the simplest version, it is a plastic cylinder immersed in water, into which air is supplied from a compressor. As you whip, the foam rises up and flows into a special cup. There are different modifications of skimmers, differing in size, water pressure and methods of mixing air and water in the column.

The author of the article uses a modified Berlin system. It includes the main aquarium (360 liters) and an auxiliary tank (refugium). In the main aquarium, in addition to “live” stones (there are about 30%), the role of a filter is performed by a deep (6-8 cm) layer of sand for anaerobes. In the refugium, part of the water passes through a plantation of fast-growing algae that absorb nitrates and phosphorus (algae must be thinned out often), and part through a mechanical carbon filter, a skimmer and synthetic fiber on which aerobes grow. The aquarium has been in existence for three years and contains a yellow tang, two clowns, a Bengal cardinal, six shrimp, many hermit crabs and several types of soft corals (marine polyps). This marine community is small, but very pleasing to the eye, especially in cloudy and cold weather.

The best aquariums in the world and where to find them

Discover the 12 best aquariums in the world in one o-fish-al list.

The best aquariums in the world have the same magical properties: wonderful azure blue tunnels; huge enclosures inhabited by mysterious and intelligent sea creatures; qualified personnel working in accordance with the highest animal welfare standards; and, of course, cute but questionably expensive toys from the gift shop.

If you haven’t been hiding under a rock at the bottom of the sea, you know that our oceans are under increasing threat, struggling to maintain their natural order under the pressure of global warming, overfishing and ecosystem destruction.

The best aquariums in the world are committed to education, conservation and research both internationally and in their local waters.

Discover some of the best aquariums in the world by immersing yourself in the most encapsulated aquatic realms accredited by regional or international organizations.

1.

Florida Aquarium

🏆 AZA Accredited
📍 Tampa, USA

Must see: Sea dragons and sea horses

The Florida Aquarium is no small marine menagerie. This experience is designed to take visitors on a journey that starts with a creek from one of Florida’s freshwater springs, travels to the Florida Keys and on to international waters.

Guests can walk along the wetland trail to see river otters, alligators and pythons. There are Stars: boneless and puffer and lobster areas at the Bays & Beaches show.

Visitors get up close to lemurs, chameleons and, if they want to, cockroaches while traveling to Madagascar. And don’t miss the chance to admire the fragile inhabitants of Dragons Down Under – seahorses, sea dragons and more!

Like many of the best aquariums in the world, the Florida Aquarium prides itself on its conservation efforts. It is part of the world-renowned coral conservation program in the Florida Reef Tract (the third largest barrier reef in the world) and programs to protect wild sea turtles, whales and sharks.

2.

Oceanography in Valencia

🏆 accredited AZA and EAZA
📍 Valencia, Spain

jelly, similar to OceanogràFic Valencia
Photo by Villian de Vaskonsellos Onplash

should see: 9,000 horseshoe crabs

Valencia’s huge Oceanogràfic is the largest aquarium in Europe, at 1,200,000 square feet, just a stone’s throw from the Balearic Sea.

He confidently positions himself as a “first-class scientific, educational and entertainment center.” Its habitat, housed in nine underwater towers, represents all of the world’s major ecosystems, from frozen to temperate to tropical.

visitors L’Oceanogràfic can wander between Bermuda and the Canary Islands through the longest aquarium tunnel in Europe or look into the crystal clear home of an inquisitive family of white whales – the only group of blood relatives in Europe.

Secrets of the Sea features the skins of creatures known for their beauty, strangeness, or unique scientific characteristics. Perhaps the most interesting inhabitant here is the Atlantic horseshoe crab. These blue-blooded, nine-eyed arthropods actually look more like spiders and scorpions than crabs, and the hemocyanin in their blood is vital to the medical field. It may even have a role in the coronavirus vaccine.

Oceanogràfic carries out numerous marine conservation projects both locally and internationally, including research on sustainable fisheries and bottlenose dolphin protection, as well as work carried out by its Marine Restoration Centre.

Can’t get to Spain? Check out this guided tour of Oceanogràfic, which was part of the Tiqets Awakening Week.

3.

National center de la measures

🏆 accredited Eaza
📍 Boulogne-Sur-Mer, France

Giant Skatmata in Navsika
Photo by Julia Lana Unsplash

should see: Nurse sharks and giant manta rays

How could you not want to visit an aquarium that looks like a huge manta ray?

Nausicaa is not just an architectural marvel. With a huge variety of marine life and a primary educational mission, Nausicaá is one of the best aquariums in the world, focusing on the relationship between humanity and the sea.

Almost 60,000 charismatic creatures call Nausicaa their home, from lionfish to sea lions, from leopard sharks to tiger sharks and small-spotted catsharks. We will take a note to ask why so many names are named after cats.

There are rare fish that illuminate the darkness with torch-like organs, and majestic rays that move as if they are flying through the abyss. And jellyfish! Is it even possible to watch these gelatinous gems glide across the surface without feeling some awe?

Two huge exhibitions, Voyage on the High Seas and Mankind and Shores, showcase 1,600 different species, boasting the largest tank in Europe.

Aquarium is also involved in conservation work away from the watershed, helping to restore coral reefs in the Maldives and protecting African penguins in South Africa.

4.

Georgia Aquarium

🏆 WAZA and AZA accredited
📍 Atlanta, USA

Georgia Aquarium is the only one outside of Asia where whale sharks live.
Photo by Matt Helbig on Unsplash

Must See: Whale Sharks and Beluga Whales

The Georgia Aquarium was the largest aquarium in the world when it opened in 2005.

Although it now has to settle for third place behind the giant water worlds in Singapore and China, it is still the largest aquarium in the US and is recognized as one of the best aquariums in the world.

A trip to the Georgia Aquarium will allow guests to see dolphins, tropical fish, octopuses, sea lions, penguins and more. The zones are dedicated to freshwater ecosystems and marine environments, coral reefs and riverine habitats, all ideal for exploring.

Thousands of fragile creatures are swimming, crawling and waddling around – and this is just an army of visiting kids. If you want to see whale sharks up close, Georgia is the only aquarium outside of Asia that is home to this unique and endangered species. Whale Shark Certified as the Biggest Fish on Earth – This 2,300 ton bronze puffer fish in China clearly did not meet the selection criteria.

As a non-profit organization, educational activities are at the forefront of Georgia Aquarium’s activities. They provide home learning resources, on-site and off-site school programs, live webcams, and volunteer initiatives.

5.

Lisbon Oceanarium

🏆 accredited EAZA and WAZA
📍 Lisbon, Portugal

photo Isabelle Galves on Unsplash

I should see: ocheanário de lisboa – the most popular cultural restless. the best aquariums on earth.

A visit to the Oceanarium is a fabulous journey through four incredible zones that reproduce the rocky coast of the North Atlantic, the icy tundra of Antarctica, the kelp of the Pacific Ocean and the coral reefs of the Indian Ocean. €19!

The aquarium is full of species you’ve never heard of: big unicorn fish, fire goby, old wife, wide-eyed flounder, nursemaid, magnificent garden eel and many others. Add to that the peculiar corals, rare sharks, salamanders with regenerating limbs, deadly poisonous frogs and elegant puffins and you can see why the aquarium is so popular.

Some of the highlights of the Aquarium are the many temporary exhibitions it puts on each year, from climate change exhibitions to spectacles that would be right at home in a famous art gallery.

The aquarium participates in breeding programs in partnership with the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It also sponsors various conservation projects outside of its walls, such as the Angelshark project to protect endangered sharks and a program to protect endangered sea turtles in Sao Tome and Principe.

6.

Genoa Aquarium

🏆 EAZA Accredited
📍 Genoa, Italy

Photo: Shutterstock

Must see: Manatees

In terms of aquatic experiences, Genoa Aquarium is one of the coolest aquariums in the world.

Visitors start their journey with a breathtaking video showing the vast bodies of water that cover our planet. Then he discovers a huge collection of animals – 15,000 of them.

Guests can defy the darkness in search of moray eels roaming their caves, or come face to face with bloodthirsty predators in Shark Bay. There are bottlenose dolphins, chinstrap penguins, harbor seals and sea urchins whose spines would make Goliath jump in agony. You can even swim with long-extinct sea monsters… in virtual reality.

Celebrities of the Genoa Aquarium live in Siren Lagoon. You don’t have to worry about scantily clad seductresses whose song will make you sleep with the fishes. No, beautiful lush manatees live in this part of the aquarium. Genoa is one of the few where these herbivorous mammals are kept – a treat even for ordinary aquarium visitors.

Like all the aquariums on this list, Genoa’s main goal is to raise awareness among the general public about the issues facing the marine environment. Through his conservation fund, he is also involved in various initiatives, including work to protect vulnerable bottlenose dolphins in the Mediterranean. Here is an aquarium with a porpoise.

7.

Aquarium Vancouver

🏆 accredited AZA
📍 Vancouver, Canada

Should see: otters, jellyfish and dolphins

Non -Profit aquarium Vancouver with more than 30 exhibitors, 50.000 XNUMX of research and conservation, admired throughout the world, is considered one of the best aquariums on Earth.

Locals and tourists alike can discover the views found on British Columbia’s rocky Pacific coast at Treasures of the BC Coast. See if you can spot the tiny wonder, the Pacific spiny booby, gasping for air among the weeds.

Guests can experience the diversity and moisture of the rainforest at Graham’s Amazon Gallery and walk wide-eyed among schools of colorful fish in the tropics. The Wonder Jelly Exhibit is one of the best jellyfish spectacles you are likely to see.

The Vancouver Aquarium is home to Ocean Wise, a research and conservation center dedicated to protecting and restoring the oceans. Together they work on numerous projects in the aquarium, backyard and around the world.

With the help of Ocean Wise, the aquarium saves and restores over 150 marine mammals every year. Ticket money goes directly to animals in need!

8.

Osaka Aquarium Kayukan

🏆 accredited JAZA
📍 Osaka, Japan

Photo Steffen Treikels Onplash

should see: Japanese crab and whale sharks 9000 Aquariums of Japan, in which special attention is paid to the animals of the Pacific region.

The presentation of the exhibits at Kaiyukan is what makes it one of the coolest aquariums in the world, and the wonder begins the moment guests walk through the Water Gate into the blue ocean tunnel.

The Pacific Ocean covers a third of the world’s surface, so you can imagine how many curious creatures go about their business in the ebb and flow.

Kaiyukan features hammerheads, whale sharks, octopuses, big-headed turtles and cute, wide-opening but extremely poisonous porcupine fish. See squads of squid and flocks of piranhas. Intimidating and seductive in equal measure, Japanese spider crabs can reach a whopping 12 feet.

Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium is closely affiliated with the Osaka Aquarium Biological Research Institute of the Iburi Center.

9.

Marine Aquarium

🏆 AZA and WAZA Accredited
📍 Sentosa Island, Singapore

Has anyone ordered crab sticks?
Photo: Shutterstock

Must see: Silvertip sharks and manta rays

One of the largest aquariums in the world and definitely one of the best, SEA Aquarium is the gem of Sentosa Island in Singapore.

More than 100,000 individuals live in its spacious tanks. Imagine if someone organized them into some kind of navy. The world won’t have a chance .

There are 10 different zones covering 50 habitats. Visitors embark on a journey of discovery, traveling from the Karimata Strait to the Red Sea and far, far beyond.

There are a variety of sharks, up to 200, from cannibals to bottom-feeding, plus graceful manta rays, monogamous seahorses, nemo-like clownfish and giant Pacific octopuses that can pass the Harvard entrance exam.

The Open Ocean Exhibition is what makes SEA stand out as one of the best aquariums in the world. You will feel as if you are standing on the bottom of the ocean, looking through its giant viewing window at the world of teeming marine life within.

Through its conservation team, the SEAA Guardians, the aquarium is committed to protecting the ocean by partnering with the community on a number of exciting initiatives. His most successful projects include reducing the use of single-use plastic in schools and cleaning up reefs and beaches.

10

Bay Aquarium

🏆 accredited AZA
📍 San Francisco, USA

Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK

Do not miss: River otter and slopes 9000 9000 9000

Aquarium of the bay do not need to be given that you do not need to be given water wonders from all over the world to create a wonderful aquarium. Their home is home to over 20,000 marine animals, with a focus on the diversity of life in Northern California waters.

The not-for-profit Bay Aquarium, located on the famous Pier 39, is full of interesting local characters. There are California Shepherds that choose their own gender; formidable bat rays that crush food with iron jaws and fend off predators with poisonous spikes; and the friendly sevengill sharks, known to roam the shallows of San Francisco Bay for up to 32 years.

You can dive (not literally, as tempting) into the ecosystems of San Francisco Bay, exploring its various depths, nooks and crannies, and be enchanted by its multitude of inhabitants as you travel through a range of crystal clear tunnels.

The Bay Aquarium is working on a mission to help “build climate resilience and save the ocean.” The Bay Aquarium is a bastion of ocean research and education in and around the Bay Area, from breeding and rescue to science and environmental programs in schools.

He is also involved in his own sustainability projects to remove waste, conserve water and energy, and prevent pollution.

11

Deep
🏆 WAZA accredited
📍 Hull, United Kingdom

Must see: Green Sawfish

Hull is located in the North East of England It’s about the world’s greatest aquariums. But the small, award-winning, proudly conservation-focused, non-commercial aquarium is one of the best.

In nine areas, visitors can see sharks, rays, gentoo penguins, tropical fish, poison frogs and more. One of the exhibits is called “Slime”, and instead of being full of screaming politicians, it’s dedicated to creatures that depend on slime for survival – clownfish, eels, and the elusive scratched needle.

The deep is also home to the UK’s only pair of green sawfish, which are endangered in the wild. Sawfish are just one of the species that benefit from The Deep’s conservationist focus.

He contributes to European breeding programs, including the successful breeding programs for zebra sharks and Madagascar bastards. He also supports conservation projects around the world and works to protect sawfish in Africa, penguins in the Galapagos Islands, sea turtles in the United States, corals in Belize and, closer to home, Tansy Beetles in York.

12

National Aquarium of Denmark
🏆 accredited EAZA and WAZA
📍 Copenhagen, Denmark

should see: Giant Pacific Osminog

Deniye is a center for architects, therefore it is completely correct that its national aquarium is that its national aquarium is that its national aquarium is that its national aquarium is that its national aquarium is completely an architectural masterpiece and a haven for aquatic animals.

Visitors to Copenhagen’s Blue Planet (Den Blå Planet) first saw its award-winning whale-shaped façade before heading inside to experience an audience of over 400 different species.

The largest aquarium in Northern Europe allows you to sail the waters of the world without leaving the cool countries of Scandinavia. See warty stonefish, electric eels, snapping turtles and birds from the Faroe Islands. The aquarium is home to a rather intelligent giant Pacific octopus with 2,000 suckers. It can even unscrew the lid of a jam jar – keep that in mind the next time you struggle!

And it’s not just the numerous tanks that enchant. Blue Planet provides visitors with an acclaimed digital exhibit that allows children and inquisitive adults alike to learn about the intricacies and intricacies of marine life through interactive exhibits.

In the field of conservation, Den Blå Planet joins forces with researchers, other aquarium organizations, non-governmental organizations and initiatives in the Nordic countries and beyond. His collaboration included identifying research into the Greenland shark, a mysterious species that scientists believe could live for 250 to 500 years in the icy waters around Greenland and Canada.

Aquarium Facts
Where is the largest aquarium in the world?

The largest aquarium in the world – China’s Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, which is confirmed by the Guinness Book of Records. It boasts enclosures filled with nearly 13 million gallons of water.

Where is the oldest aquarium in the world?

The oldest aquarium in the world is the Brighton Aquarium, now SEA LIFE Brighton. The British Aquarium opened its doors on Saturday 10 August 1872 and continues to live to this day!

Where is the largest aquarium viewing window in the world located?

If you want to feel underwater without getting your feet wet, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China has the world’s largest aquarium viewing window measuring 39.6 meters by 8 meters. The Hengqin Aquarium also boasts the largest underwater viewing dome and largest aquarium tank.

Where is the longest aquarium tunnel in the world?

With a length of 155 meters, Shanghai Aquarium is the longest aquarium tunnel in the world.

You’ve made it this far. Ready for another wild read? Check out the world’s oldest zoos you can still visit today!

Reef aquarium – your sea in miniature

When I was four years old, my parents started an aquarium. Unpretentious, freshwater – even a little me, he seemed tiny. And since none of us had experience in content, it didn’t work out right away with him. The frogs were constantly jumping out and had to be caught before the dog did, the snails artistically covered all available surfaces with clutches of eggs, and the fish that I had appointed as a favorite was eaten first. In general, our aquarium was soon given into good hands, and it was the best thing that happened to him. And even then I realized that the maintenance of an aquarium is difficult and requires a lot of responsibility.

For the life support of a personal sea – a huge and colorful aquarium, where, in addition to fish, coral reefs live, a complex lighting system, filters, pumps, pumps, and cooling systems are required. It is very difficult to recreate the natural environment. Not easy, but possible! We at the editorial office decided to talk to Alexander Loginov, a man who creates marine aquariums, to find out more about their content. Alexander spoke about coral farms, fish bullying, the prototypes of the heroes Nemo and Dory, and also dispelled the myth of the “fish memory”.

Alexander Loginov is a specialist in the field of marine aquarism. Founder and chief corporate officer of the company for the production, installation, settlement and further maintenance of marine aquariums “Reef”.

The Rif showroom smells like the sea. Alexander and I communicate in his office, where almost the entire wall is occupied by a huge aquarium. Branches with corals constantly tremble. I thought that they themselves were trembling so, but Alexander corrected that this was due to the artificial current. Throughout the interview, I admired the fish and caught myself thinking that this was just a dream office. “The problem is to leave here,” Alexander jokes. I ask: “Is there an aquarium at home?” “And there are houses. It’s hard to leave the house too. This aquarium is ten years old. He was practically the first in the store. Its content is what has grown since then. At the bottom, some of the corals have already petrified while the top continues to grow. As the top blocks out the light, the once-living coral turns into reef rock.

Personally, I like marine aquariums more than freshwater ones. Here the underwater world is richer – many species of fish, corals of stunning colors and shapes. The reef itself is one of the most diverse biotopes in the world in terms of the number of species

The fish living here are also ten years old, they have not changed here since 2009. There were others who have already died, but these do not show that they were going to retire. A lot of species live for a long time – from five years for sure, and some live up to twenty-five.

At the end of the 1990s and the beginning of the 2000s, marine aquarism began to develop rapidly, both technologies and methods were improved. At that time, everything was still in its infancy, there were no special offers on the market. I set up a marine aquarium at home and it was a hobby, but gradually it turned into my life’s work.

Our company is the leader in the marine aquaristic market of Ukraine – I can say this without too much modesty. We provide a full range of services: a design project, installation of the aquarium itself, the necessary equipment and electronics, populate fish and corals, support autonomous operation and consult after the aquarium is launched. Up to the fact that we manufacture equipment. Also, our specialists help to ensure rapid growth and bright design in the aquarium.

We have our own farm. Corals reproduce by fission, so the reef needs to be constantly thinned out. Some corals cover themselves, others grow more intensively and cover the rest.

The biggest and probably the most ambitious was the aquarium that was located on the barge

. If this is not followed, then some species will begin to dominate and eventually take over the entire aquarium. What is thinned out can be planted in the same aquarium, can be put on a farm, can be glued to pebbles, and these will already be fragments that can be transferred. In the past, both fish and corals were imported. But now life has turned in such a way that many countries that used to officially allow their export have introduced a complete ban on this. Even though coral was farmed for import in Indonesia, there is a complete ban on the export of any coral. Moreover, species that grew up in the sea could not always acclimatize after transportation. Therefore, modern aquaristics has gone in the direction of cultivating the brightest and most beautiful corals in artificial conditions. Many rare species that have an unusual color and shape were first found in nature, and then passed through selection. In fact, it is hard to find corals of this color on the reef.

The barge made voyages along the Dnieper, but often stood at the seaport for a long time. We did all the technical part and were engaged in settling this aquarium. Large, about 30 tons – 5 m long, 3 m wide and 2 m deep.

As a rule, people have their own ideas about the size of the aquarium and how it should be.

To begin with, to understand whether you like it or not, an aquarium of 50-100 liters is enough

Especially for designers, they draw flasks from floor to ceiling with a width of half a meter. Often there were such projects with a tall narrow aquarium. At the design stage of all structures, I immediately say that this is unattainable.

Common mistakes in maintenance are improper selection of equipment and violation of the order of settling the aquarium, when fish and corals are released prematurely or allow incompatible species in one area. For everyone to be well, the inhabitants of the aquarium must be in balance. The larger the fish, the more difficult it is to keep it together with corals. The latter need certain water parameters, otherwise over time they begin to die. These parameters are strongly influenced by the waste products of fish. Some of it will be absorbed by corals and invertebrates in the aquarium, they need it, otherwise they feel bad. But so that these wastes do not accumulate, they must be removed with special equipment. Then both fish and corals are good.

The most important condition for a fish not to get sick is not treatment, but a normal and comfortable aquarium environment. The environment should not be hostile, when, for example, some fish are not allowed to eat properly, they beat her. If this is not the case, then, as a rule, the immunity of the fish is quite enough not to get sick. Treatment in a reef aquarium is very difficult and almost impossible, because any medication destroys biology. If a fish is sick, it still needs to be caught. This is not always possible: the aquarium has a lot of decorations, stones, overgrown reefs. Need a trap with bait; but if the fish is sick and does not eat, then it will not enter the trap. Therefore, it is better not to allow a situation where the fish start to get sick. And it is better to add to the aquarium those that have undergone quarantine and adaptation.

Most of the fish that come here need time to acclimatize. You need to replenish your strength, eat right, get used to artificial food, which looks different in nature. The fish need to understand that now the food looks like this, they pour it here. And when she gets used to it, replenishes her strength, eats up – then she can be added to the aquarium.

Another thing to consider is the order in which you move into the aquarium – is it empty or there are already fish of a similar species. Fish, as a rule, show aggression towards related and simply similar in color species.

Children are interested when they watch a cartoon about Nemo. Almost all the fish that are represented there can live in an aquarium

For example, surgeon fish – within this species there is aggression towards each other, so if I put new surgeons in my aquarium, they will be beaten by almost all the old ones, they will not let them in to the stern. They behave this way because they see competitors in newcomers and try to expel them with all available methods. But there is nowhere to expel, except to jump out. Therefore, they beat them, do not give them food, drive them underground.

Those fish that settled here almost at the same time – as a rule, they do not have aggression. Then, of course, circumstances may change: someone may feel like a master and start chasing the rest. But this rarely happens.

Fish that live in the house for a long time, half a year or more, understand very clearly what is happening in the apartment. They see the owner, they know where he will fit, where the can of food is, what time they will be fed. They remember everything so much because it is a matter of survival. There is a high density of all life forms on the reef, they have competition in obtaining food, there are many predators. Therefore, in marine fish, intelligence is usually higher than in freshwater. The fish are different. And people are distinguished – they swim up, and you can feed them from your hands, almost stroke them! Just a matter of habit.

Pisces don’t show how much they love someone. You have to love this fish. And you have to love aquariums.

Photo: unsplash, personal archive

Kuzma is the main fish! Alexander introduced him. – I drove into the store almost simultaneously with the fish, one might say, from the pit here. At first, he ran around, ran everywhere, tried to hunt, and even fell into aquariums a couple of times. And now – no, just sits down and looks at them. Say, Kuzya: “This is all mine! I live here!”.

But Kuzma only yawned, lay down in a spectacular pose and beautifully stuck out his paw. The head of the fish has no time to distribute valuable comments, he is busy with his direct duties – contemplation of the magical underwater world.

publication date:
October 19, 2019

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Marine aquarium – five rules for success

Fragment from a book by John Tulloch.

Your First Marine Aquarium: All About Installing and Starting a Marine Aquarium, Aquarium Settings and Care, Selecting Fish and Invertebrates (From the Series: Barron’s Comprehensive Guides for Pet Owners)
John H. Tullock

Your first marine aquarium: Everything about setting up a marine aquarium, aquarium conditions and maintenance, and selecting fish and invertebrates (Barron’s complete pet owner’s manuals)

English lang. – Published by Barrons Educational Series, Inc., New York, USA. – 1998, 79 p.

Translated by Kyiv marine aquarists Alexander and Sergey Marchenkov

(with minor changes, the text posted on the Forum of Aquarists of Ukraine was used: http://www. aquaforum.kiev.ua/showthread.php?t=1276

INTRODUCTION

Over the years I have developed what I like to call the “ Five Rules for a Successful Aquarium “. They have been published in one form or another in my other books, but are worth repeating for the benefit of every aspiring aquarist.

1. Keep it simple. (Keep it simple)

Pay more attention to maintaining good water quality, providing proper nutrition and doing the necessary maintenance, and pay less attention to installing the latest high-tech equipment. Sophisticated equipment is no substitute for proper content. Start with a simple system and learn how to properly maintain it. Then you will be better able to soberly determine whether additional equipment will really help you enjoy your hobby more. Some aquarium vendors are only interested in selling you more equipment, and the merits they describe of what they sell is something that is sometimes difficult for a beginner to judge. If you feel like you’re being pressured, you’re probably right about it. Find another supplier, there are many who really deserve your attention.

2. Keep it roomy. (Provide plenty of space)

Marine fish need a lot of free space. The space required depends not only on the adult size of the fish, but also on their natural lifestyle. Fish that typically stay within a relatively small area, such as clownfish, are more likely to tolerate confinement in an aquarium than actively swimming species such as surgeonfish. Even the largest aquarium looks tiny compared to the vast ocean around the coral reef. Most likely, the size of the aquarium you choose will be determined by the availability of space and money. If you have enough space and money for a 10-gallon (38-litre) aquarium, it is foolish to buy fish that need a 50-gallon (190 l) aquarium. Select species in proportion to the size of the miniature ecosystem you are creating. Resist the temptation to add “well, just one more fish” when common sense (not to mention the relevant books) says that the tank is already filled to capacity.

3. Keep it stable. (Maintain stability)

The coral reef environment, which is the source of almost all fish and invertebrates offered for sale in the marine aquarium trade, is considered one of the most stable environments on earth. Temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, water purity, even day length, vary within very narrow limits compared to freshwater and terrestrial habitats, or even compared to temperate marine waters. Corals themselves, the basis for the existence of a reef ecosystem, appear only where the necessary water parameters are maintained. This is why reefs can only be found in certain geographic areas. Therefore, reef fish and invertebrates do not have developed adaptive abilities sufficient to cope with rapid changes in environmental conditions. This sharply distinguishes them from freshwater fish that come from waters that undergo major seasonal changes. Maintaining stability in a marine aquarium requires the right equipment. You must constantly perform various actions necessary to maintain the system. You should regularly measure the water parameters with tests and change the conditions in the aquarium according to their readings. This aspect of marine aquarium maintenance has been called “test and tweak”. The aquarist evaluates water parameters with tests, and then “tune” them back to normal if they are found to be outside the optimal range.

4. Keep it clean. (Take care of cleanliness)

Aside from the problem of unsightly appearance and simple hygiene, keeping an aquarium “clean” or more accurately “nutrient poor” is the only best method to avoid annoying and unsightly algae growth. Aquarists spend way too much time and money trying all sorts of contraptions and preparations that are designed to reduce algae growth. While the main problem is that the natural cycle of biogenic (“nutrient”) substances, characteristic of natural coral reefs, is unsuccessfully reproduced in an aquarium. There are, of course, some standard rules: feed moderately (sparsely), eliminate dead organic matter quickly, siphon decomposition products regularly, and change the water as needed. To control algae growth, do not allow dissolved nutrients to accumulate in the water. Nutrients can be formed in the aquarium itself. For example, phosphates are released when food is processed by any organism in the process of internal metabolism. In addition, nutrients can come into the aquarium from external sources. Some sea salts contain phosphates. Tap water may also contain such substances.

5. Keep it natural. (Strive for naturalness)

Try as much as possible to reproduce the conditions in which your marine animals lived while in the ocean. Find out in detail the ecology of any species before purchasing an animal. Although most fish offered for sale in aquarium stores require almost the same water parameters (remember what was said above about the narrow range of variability in reef habitat), they can vary greatly in size and temperament. Some are quite tenacious, while others are extremely capricious. Successful aquarium management often depends on understanding these differences between species. Scientific knowledge of the ecology of any species is always the best guide to meeting its needs in captivity.

Another aspect of aquarium “cleanliness” has to do with the tolerance of marine fish to toxic contaminants such as ammonia, which can accumulate in a closed aquarium system unless the aquarist establishes a suitable biological system to detoxify and recycle it.

One of the main physiological differences between marine fish and their freshwater relatives is their relationship to the aquatic environment. In freshwater fish, body fluids have a higher salinity than the surrounding water, so they constantly absorb water as a result of osmotic processes, which creates the danger of supersaturation of the tissues with fluid. To compensate for this process, freshwater fish rarely drink water, and their kidneys excrete copious urine in order to rid the body of excess water. In marine fish, on the contrary, the body fluids are less salty than the surrounding sea. Therefore, they lose water to the environment, and ironically are in constant danger of dehydration. To compensate for this, marine fish drink sea water and excrete a small but highly concentrated urine. In both marine and freshwater fish, only water enters or leaves tissues by osmosis. Other substances mainly enter the tissues from the gastrointestinal tract. Since marine fish constantly swallow water, they are much more susceptible to poisoning by water pollutants than freshwater fish. All fish excrete ammonia into the water, but marine fish are much less tolerant of the accumulation of this waste product in the water than freshwater ones. This means not only that a marine aquarium needs a more powerful detoxification system than a freshwater system, but also that there is less room for error. Marine fish are much less “forgivable” about sloppy aquarium maintenance, a fact that has brought much anguish to novice aquarists, as beautiful and expensive animals died when they tried to get around the rules. My advice is to help you avoid such mistakes. Stick to the rules until you get enough experience.

Marine aquariums to order in Moscow inexpensively – prices, sizes, maintenance and repair

We have been manufacturing marine aquariums since 1996

We realize any of your fantasies

Creative design and decoration of marine aquariums

Direct supply of marine fish and invertebrates from Southeast Asia

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WITH “TURNKEY” INSTALLATION, DELIVERY ALL OVER RUSSIA

Custom Aquariums / Marine Aquariums

Manufactured aquariums

Tall marine aquarium in the interior of the apartment through the light in Hi-Tech Style

Dimensions 2110mm x 400mm x 1100mm. Material – acrylic glass. Marine LED lamp. Metal frame with powder coating. Life supporting system. Refrigeration unit. Decorative design. Live decoration.

Marine aquarium with predatory fish for the office

Dimensions 4200mm x 930mm x 1000mm. Material – silicate glass clarified Optiwhite 19mm. Marine LED lamp. Metal frame with powder coating. Life supporting system. Refrigeration unit. Decorative design. Live decoration.

Large marine aquarium

Dimensions 3820mm x 1350mm x 2780mm. Material – silicate glass clarified Optiwhite 19mm. Marine LED lamp. Metal frame with powder coating. Life supporting system. Refrigeration unit. Decorative design. Live decoration.

Our other works

Order a marine aquarium according to individual sizes

Buying a marine aquarium for your home is a great joy for your children and the delight of watching the fish. At your request, we can manufacture a marine aquarium with all the necessary equipment according to individual sizes and finishes in accordance with your interior, and you can also buy a ready-made marine aquarium from an Italian manufacturer, which is a leader in quality, equipment and, of course, design.

Table Marine aquariums

Aquarium volume Marine aquarium with marine fish and animals Marine aquarium with fish and soft corals Marine aquarium with fish and stony corals

up to 200l from 8000 from 10500 from 12500

201-500l from 11000 from 14000 from 15000

501-750L from 14500 from 18500 from 19500

751-1000L from 16500 from 21500 from 22500

1001-1500L from 22000 from 27500 from 29500

1501-2000L from 29000 from 34500 from 36500

over 2000l individual calculation individual calculation individual calculation

Our advantages

We make aquariums of all shapes and sizes

Guarantee for tightness and safety of aquarium inhabitants

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We have been working since 1996 and have created more than 750 exclusive projects

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Find out which aquarium is right for your space

We create:

Marine aquariums

Planted aquariums

Pseudo-sea aquarium

Trade aquariums

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Reception desks with aquarium

Building and maintaining a saltwater aquarium is challenging, but worth it. The owner will be rewarded with the opportunity to admire colorful fish and corals that cannot be settled in a freshwater environment. Due to the subtleties in the production of such tanks, it is better to entrust the manufacture to the professionals of AquaWorks.

We offer several options for marine aquariums to suit your taste:

Only with fish. A simple and inexpensive salt water system, where you can put one type of inhabitants or many.

With live stone. Fragments of rock mined on coral reefs with beneficial bacteria are placed in the reservoir. Fish in such an environment get sick less, and the tank itself needs to be cleaned less often.

With coral reef. Perhaps the brightest and most beautiful version of the marine aquarium. Needs additional equipment to maintain water quality and lighting, so it costs more than

Our experts recommend opting for the latest options. The fact is that living stones and corals help to establish a natural biological cycle. The waste products of fish in such aquariums will be processed and not accumulated. This is important to keep marine life healthy.

Once you have selected your tank, you can move on to finding the right species for your underwater world. It is important to carefully select neighbors so that they do not interfere with each other. Therefore, you should immediately decide whether you want to see herbivorous, carnivorous or omnivorous fish in your marine aquarium. This will determine their dietary needs and you will need to provide them with appropriate food.

For example, some will feed on organisms common in their natural habitat, such as krill or plankton. Of course, there are also specialized foods available in flake or pellet form that provide the perfect combination of vitamins and nutrients that fish need.

Always be careful how much food you give, because one of the most common causes of illness in artificial reservoirs is overeating.

When ordering a turnkey aquarium from AquaWorks, you can also sign a contract for its maintenance.

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World’s 10 Largest Aquariums – Publications

10. Western Australia Aquarium (3 million liters)

9. Genoa Aquarium (3.78 million liters)

8. Shanghai Aquarium (3.8 million liters)

7. uShaka Marine World (3.8 million liters)

6. Monterey Bay Aquarium (4.5 million liters)

5. Turkuazú (4.9 million liters)

4. L’Oceanogràfic (7 million litres)

3. Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (7.49 million liters)

2. Dubai Mall Aquarium (10 million liters)

1. Georgia Aquarium (23.8 million liters)

Is it easy to make a house reef?

The best aquariums in the world and where to find them

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Where is the largest aquarium in the world?

Where is the oldest aquarium in the world?

Where is the largest aquarium viewing window in the world located?

Where is the longest aquarium tunnel in the world?

You’ve made it this far. Ready for another wild read? Check out the world’s oldest zoos you can still visit today!

Reef aquarium – your sea in miniature

Marine aquarium – five rules for success

Your first marine aquarium: Everything about setting up a marine aquarium, aquarium conditions and maintenance, and selecting fish and invertebrates (Barron’s complete pet owner’s manuals)

1. Keep it simple. (Keep it simple)

2. Keep it roomy. (Provide plenty of space)