Page 216 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

214 MARINE FISH: SETTING UP THE TANK

Preparing the tank

Assembling the components of the marine aquarium is straightforward,
but there are a few important factors, such as the quality of your
water supply, that must be considered if you are to achieve a
successful result. Patience is vital; even under ideal conditions,
it can take several months for conditions in the tank to become
stable enough for the most delicate marine species.

When setting up a marine tank, care must be taken not only
to create the desired visual effect but also to consider the
varied needs of the marine species you wish to keep. Once the
substrate has been prepared (see pp.208–209), the next step is
to arrange tank decor (see also pp.212–213), taking great care A marine tank
should aim to mimic
to ensure that it is clean and firmly supported in the aquarium. the natural habitats
If necessary, pieces can be held together with silicone sealant, of the fish; this Coral
to make them more secure. Arrange the rockwork to contain Trout (Cephalopholis
niches and crevices for the fish to use as retreats. Position miniata), for example,
requires niches in the
rockwork toward the back of the aquarium, leaving a clear rock in which it can hide.

swimming area at the front—this will make the fish and other
marine life more visible. Live rock (see p.213) should be added
CALCULATING THE VOLUME OF YOUR TANK only once the tank is full and the water conditions have
To calculate the volume of a rectangular tank, multiply the stabilized (see p.216).
dimensions of the tank in inches (height x width x depth), then Heating and filtration components (see pp.210–211)
multiply the result by 0.0043 to get the volume of the tank in can then be fitted around the rocks. When making your
gallons. If measuring in centimeters, again, multiply the dimensions arrangement, be careful not to create “dead spots”—areas
together, but divide the result by 1,000, to give the volume in liters.
Whichever method you use, the final figure must then be reduced where current from the filter does not reach—because
by 10 percent, to take account of the rockwork and other decor. uneaten food and debris can accumulate here, which will
lead to a gradual deterioration in water quality.

SETTING UP THE TANK
Special commercial salt mixes make it easy
to create the necessary water conditions for
a marine tank. It is best to mix the water with
the salt before pouring it into the tank so
that you can be sure that it is thoroughly
dissolved. A second option
is to add the salt to a
prescribed volume of water
in the tank, allowing the
2
1
filtration system to mix the 1 Measure the marine salt 1 Prepare the saltwater solution
Measure out the required volume of water
Read the instructions on the packaging
solution, but it can be harder of the marine salt carefully before you in a watering can or bucket, and treat it
to be sure that it has start. Using a measuring cup, pour out with a dechlorinator before slowly stirring
dissolved fully. the appropriate amount of salt. in the salt with a wooden spoon.

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