Page 45 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

PREPARING THE TANK BRACKISH WATER 43

Brackish water

The conditions encountered by fish living in estuaries Themed aquariums
can be created,
and mangroves, where fresh water and saltwater meet, based on different
aquatic habitats.
can be recreated in a brackish water aquarium. The The one shown
equipment required is much the same as for freshwater here replicates the
conditions in a
aquariums, but the substrate is usually sandy, so power shallow, slow-moving
coastal stream in
filters are more appropriate than undergravel systems. Central America.

The water in a brackish aquarium requires a salinity level, so when topping off to replace lost water, use dechlorinated
expressed in terms of specific gravity (SG), of 1.002–1.007 tap water rather than saltwater to keep the salinity within the
(marine aquariums have a salinity of at least SG 1.020). To desired range. For significant partial water changes carried out
achieve this, dissolve the appropriate amount of marine salt (see during routine maintenance (see pp.50–51), use salinated water.
pp.214–215) in dechlorinated tap water, before filling the tank. It is important that the tank used for a brackish water
The movement of water within the tank caused by the filter aquarium is either all-glass or acrylic, with no metal surround.
and heater will ensure an even concentration throughout the This is because saltwater rapidly corrodes metal, and any
aquarium. Salinity increases as water evaporates from the tank, corrosion in the tank pollutes the water and can harm the fish.

CREATING A MANGROVE TANK

This fascinating habitat—part water, part
land—requires young mangrove plants, which
can be bought from aquatic nurseries. Pot the
mangrove shoots to restrict their root growth.
You may need to prune them when they start
to spread across the tank. Use aquarium sand
rather than gravel for the substrate, and keep 1 Position the potted mangrove shoots 2 Add bogwood and stones
1
2
the water level low to mimic the tidal shallows Lay a base of sand at least 1 ⁄2 in (4 cm) Conceal the mangrove pots behind a bank
1
of a mangrove swamp. A thermostatic heater deep. Place the mangrove pots toward the of tank decor, such as bogwood and large
will not work with the low water level, so use a back of the tank. Sink their bases into the pebbles, so that the shoots project over the
heating cable (see p.33) and a thermostat. sand, but do not completely cover the pots. top. Make sure the structure is stable.
Mudskippers (see
p.189) are an ideal
choice for a
mangrove tank.
They will emerge
from the water
on to the sandy
“beach” for
short periods.

The mudskipper
uses its fins to
3 Add water and shape the sand 4 The finished tank move around
3
4
The tank should be less than half full of The beachlike effect of the sandy slope on land
water. Add more sand to the tank and shape can be enhanced by the ripples from the
it so that it resembles a beach. Some of the power filter. The mangrove plants will
sand should be above the water level. grow better under strong lighting.

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