Setting Up a Reef Aquarium

Setting up a reef aquarium is a much more expensive undertaking than a freshwater aquarium, or even a saltwater aquarium....

Setting Up a Reef Aquarium

Setting up a reef aquarium is a much more expensive undertaking than a freshwater aquarium, or even a saltwater aquarium. Reef tanks are an especially costly and time consuming endeavor. But they can be so much more rewarding than any other aquarium setup if done correctly. In this article I will be taking you through a bit of a step by step in starting and preparing your reef aquarium.

The first thing I want to impart unto you is to RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH! This is single handedly the most important aspect of starting your new reef aquarium. You want to make sure you know your P's and Q's before you start to lay down the money it is going to cost to start your reef aquarium. You need to make sure that you can meet the needs of the fish and creatures you are going to be putting in your aquarium.

Another helpful tip for starting and running your reef aquarium, pick up a log book. Keeping a log book is going to make tracking the problems in your aquarium much easier. You can also use the log to keep track of the different chemical levels in your reef aquarium.

Next, you want to purchase the right equipment for your reef aquarium. Take a look at the coral and fish you want to place in this aquarium and then adjust accordingly what type of filter, lighting, and other elements you are going to need to get for the aquarium. When you are purchasing a stand for your aquarium, you need to factor the weight of the aquarium at its full capacity. A good formula is to multiply the amount of water you have in your aquarium by 10. For example, if you have a 55 gallon aquarium, it would weigh 550lbs when completely full.

After you place all of the equipment and such in your aquarium, it is time to start adding the live rock to your aquarium. You want to adjust the levels to your live rock before you start to add fish to the mix. Cycling your aquarium can take quite a while. You need patience when starting your reef aquarium, and a lot of it will be tried as you try to get the water levels to their absolute best before you start acclimating fish.

I obviously could not include everything involved in setting up your own reef aquarium. I was just trying to give you a general idea on how to go about setting up your reef aquarium. The web is a great source for finding more in depth guides for creating and maintaining your reef aquarium. Starting up your own reef aquarium can seem like a bit of a chore, but once you get the hang of it, it can be extremely rewarding. If you are a beginner to reef aquariums I would strongly advise against getting more difficult species of coral and fish to care for. You are going to putting their lives and your money at stake if you do this, start out with something easier. There will always be time to expand on the aquarium.

Getahugetank.com offers reef aquariums, large fish tanks, and aquarium supplies.

By Jake Wilson
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Cichlid Fish Tanks

Cichlids come from various freshwater bodies from South America, to Texas, to Africa.,you set up a cichlid fish tank with hardier species, this will make conditioning the water easier...

Cichlid Fish Tanks

Cichlids are some of the most sought after freshwater fish available. Cichlids are very intelligent fish, and some species will even splash the water at the top of the aquarium if they want your attention. Cichlids come from various freshwater bodies from South America, to Texas, to Africa. In this article I will be going through the various things to take into consideration when shopping around to set up your cichlid fish tank.

When you are starting out, it may be possible to keep cichlids in smaller aquariums, but I recommend that you purchase a tank of no less than 30 gallon to house your cichlid. A larger aquarium is easier to keep in good condition and do maintenance on. Cichlids are also aggressive and a larger aquarium will make it easier for any smaller fish to get out of the cichlid's way. It will make your cichlid fish tank more interesting if you have more than one pair in the tank. When you have more than one pair, you can watch how the cichlids interact with one another.

Conditioning your water is going to depend on what type of cichlid fish tank you are going to set up. Different species of cichlids are going to have very different needs. As a beginner it is recommended that you set up a cichlid fish tank with hardier species, this will make conditioning the water easier and they will be able to flourish in a wider range of water conditions. You should stay away from selecting cichlids from the African Lakes, African lake cichlids have harder parameters to meet on their water conditioning requirements.

Now you can get down to selecting the right species for your cichlid fish tank. You could select some peaceful species from the rivers of Africa, or you could put in a couple cichlids from Central America. For a cichlid fish tank with Amazonian Cichlids, I recommend an aquarium of at least 50 gallons in size. For the first setup of a cichlid fish tank, I went with the peaceful African river species, and they have been absolutely great. They are easy to care for and provide plenty of entertainment. If you do want a bit more of a challenge, you could always select Amazonian Cichlids for your cichlid fish tank. They are aggressive and will definitely keep you involved with maintenance and other tasks you will have to perform on the aquarium.

Well, I hope I have given you a bit of information to look into when considering your cichlid fish tank. When considering your cichlid fish tank, you should look in many spots around the web for individual guides for picking out the species you want. I would recommend Central American cichlids or African river cichlids for beginners. African lake cichlids are going to be much harder to care for, they require very close attention to the water levels in the aquarium. Just check around for the specific needs of the cichlids you are considering and you should avoid any confusion.

Getahugetank.com offers cichlid fish tanks, large fish tanks, and aquarium supplies.

By Jake Wilson
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Fish Tank Lights - Selecting the Right Aquarium Lighting

Before starting to look around for the right fish tank lights for your fish-only saltwater aquarium**The best lighting type to use for your fish-only saltwater aquarium will be fluorescent lighting...

Fish Tank Lights
Selecting the Right Aquarium Lighting

Selecting fish tank lights for your setup is another very important part to owning and operating an aquarium. Fish tank lighting needs are going to vary greatly depending on what you are going to be keeping in the aquarium. Things such as coral, the species of fish you have in the aquarium, and the type of plants, are going to be the main deciding factors when picking out your fish tank lights. In this article we are going to be discussing more specifically the fish tank lights you should use for a saltwater fish only aquarium.

Before starting to look around for the right fish tank lights for your fish-only saltwater aquarium. You need to understand the spectrum and intensity of light. In nature fish receive their sunlight under water, so light is naturally at lower levels when it reaches them. If you are keeping fish that live in shallower waters, naturally you are going to get brighter fish tank lights to accommodate them. If you have some nocturnal fish you are going to purchase different types of fish tank lights to house them.

The best lighting type to use for your fish-only saltwater aquarium will be fluorescent lighting. You should avoid other lighting types, as some of the others produce too much heat and can disturb the ecosystem in your aquarium. Now you can further shop around to find the best lighting for the specific species in your aquarium. It will be easier to settle on the fish tank lights you will need if you have species with similar lighting needs. There are many spots on the web that offer many different fish tank lights and you should shop around to find the best setup for you.

Once you settle on the proper fish tank lights for your aquarium, you can then decide on a schedule. It is recommended that you purchase an automatic timer to automatically shut on and off the lights in the aquarium. Fish, just like other creatures, need a steady schedule of light. You should not leave your fish tank lights on at all hours of the day. You could, however, set the lights in your aquarium to maybe cut on when you get home from work and then set them to go off 6-8 hours later. A lighting period of 6-8 hours is generally considered to be a good amount of light for the aquarium, of course you can always change the settings if you feel it is appropriate for the fish in your aquarium.

Well I hope you have enjoyed this brief look into the proper use of fish tank lights. If you ever have any questions you can always speak to a retailer online and they would be more than happy to help you with any questions you have about fish tank lights. Just make sure you always do your research and can stay informed on the requirements of the fish in your aquarium. The web is a great resource for any remaining questions that you have about the lighting systems for your aquarium.

Getahugetank.com offers fish tank lights, large fish tanks, and aquarium supplies.

By Jake Wilson
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Setting Up a Marine Aquarium

Setting Up a Marine Aquarium

Marine aquariums make up a large cross section of aquarium owners. Marine Aquarium owners generally have fish only marine aquariums. In this article we will be talking about marine aquariums, more specifically the kind with little to no reef life in them. Fish only marine aquariums require a special setup. In this article I will be going through the various items you will need to consider when setting up your marine aquarium.

Well before you start up your marine aquarium, you are going to need to decide on the aquarium itself. I recommend going with an acrylic aquarium, they are much stronger and much easier to install the various accessories. Acrylic is a bit more expensive than glass, but it is definitely worth the extra bit for your peace of mind. After you settle on the aquarium for your marine aquarium, you can start to look at your lighting options. Just factor in what species you are going to hold in the aquarium and then adjust accordingly for the proper lighting.

After settling on the lighting and tank you are going to be using for your marine aquarium, you can start to browse around for the proper filter. You can start to look for the proper filter system for your marine aquarium based on two factors; what type they are, and how they work. Filters are built to remove harmful particles from your aquarium, while leaving the helpful ones in at safe levels. To have a successful marine aquarium, you absolutely need biological filtration. Biological filtration will remove wastes and uneaten foods from your marine aquarium. Biological filters circulate the water in your aquarium and clean it with each pass. The only way to bypass the need for an aquarium filter is to constantly have new sea water added everyday, and as well all know this is not feasible to do.

After settling on a filtration system for your aquarium, you can start focus on the other equipment you will need for the aquarium. The next step is to look for the proper thermal control for your marine aquarium. Every marine aquarium should have a heating unit, unless you are going for a cold water system that requires chilling year round. A good formula to go by is to figure for 2 or 3 watts per gallon of water in your aquarium. You should only use a sealed submersible heater for your marine aquarium. These systems are much more reliable and better suited for the job. To regulate the proper temperature, you need to pick up a good quality thermometer to regulate the temperature. I recommend a good digital thermometer.

Well those are few items to consider when you purchase your marine aquarium. Owning a marine aquarium is a big responsibility, but if you do it right you will reap the benefits of your hard work. There are more comprehensive guides on the web, this one is meant more to give you a general idea of what you will need to look for and get when you decide on a marine aquarium.

Visit Getahugetank.com for marine aquariums, large fish tanks, and aquarium supplies.

By Jake Wilson
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Breeding Angelfish

Breeding angelfish is an activity that is gaining a lot of popularity in the aquarium...breeding angelfish, is temperament and care level***

Breeding Angelfish

Breeding angelfish is an activity that is gaining a lot of popularity in the aquarium keeping community. Angelfish come from the cichlid family and tend to be aggressive sometimes. This guide will give you a couple tips on how and when to breed your angelfish. There are many breeds on Angelfish, and most of them have generally the same breeding habits. The main things you should take into consideration when breeding angelfish, is temperament and care level.

The first thing you are going to do when breeding is to start to pair off the Angelfish into groups of 1 male, 1 female. You want to start out by purchasing 8-10 angelfish, try to get an equal number of males and females. After you pair them off, they should bond together and start to pair off, swapping them out should pose little problem. Don't get discouraged if the first spawn doesn't turn out as planned. It is normal for the first batch to get eaten or not to spawn at all, you should just get a few fry out of the batch. With the fish that do pair up and go off to spawn, you should be able to get plenty of fry from their efforts.

You should move the fry to a different tank once they hatch and place them into jars to provide them a place of shelter while they get their feel on swimming. You should be sure to feed them plenty of newly hatched mysis shrimp for the best possible results. This is a more expensive method, and if your fish pairs take care of their brood, you should just leave them in the aquarium to allow nature to take its course. A 33 gallon tank should be able to host about 250 pea size angelfish to grow into dime sized. If you do this, you should change the water at least 3 times a week.

Within about 3 months, your angelfish should grow a little larger about the size of a nickel. You should keep plants in the aquarium to absorb the nitrate levels. After a bit of time, pick the best out of the batch and keep 100 in an aquarium of about 33 gallons to grow them out. It will take around 6 months to fully pick out the best from your stock. Just remember that Angelfish do tend to eat some of the fry when they first spawn, so it is best to separate them for a little while until the fish can grow a little larger and fend for themselves.

Well I hope you found this little article a bit helpful for breeding your angelfish. If you start to feel discouraged, just remember, it takes a while to get the hang of this. Breeding angelfish can be difficult and it will take a little while before you can completely get it down to a science. Breeding angelfish is a very rewarding experience, one that I recommend any serious Angelfish owner try to experience.

Getahugetank.com offers custom aquariums, large fish tanks, and aquarium supplies.

By Jake Wilson
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Buying a Ready Saltwater Reef Aquarium

What To Look For When Buying A Ready Saltwater Reef Aquarium,Types Of Water Flow For Your Ready Saltwater Reef Aquarium-Laminar Flow,Power or Surge Flow,Turbulent Flow ...

Buying a Ready Saltwater Reef Aquarium

A ready saltwater reef aquarium which already has an established community within its tank, is easily purchased from any aquarium manufacturer. Certainly those who are only just choosing to set up a saltwater reef aquarium, find that they do not have enough knowledge or time to spend in setting up one from scratch, and prefer to buy one that is ready prepared. This means that they do not have to contend with all the hassles and problems that come with setting it up in the initial stages.

If however, you are thinking of setting up your own saltwater reef aquarium from the start, you will need a lot of time to commit to the project along with a lot of patience as well. With this kind of aquarium, you will find it takes several months before you get it setup properly to ensure that the fish population within remains healthy. What you get with a ready made aquarium, is that it has been prepared by a professional who will use certain techniques in order to ensure that the reefs, corals and fish are able to live in this artificial environment.

What To Look For When Buying A Ready Saltwater Reef Aquarium

Of course the main item you will be getting in your aquarium is a wide variety of different reef products, including certain corals. If you can, check out the reef aquarium manufacturer to find out where he obtains his reefs from. Ideally go for one where they actually grow and sell their own reefs, which they have harvested from their own farms.

The problem with purchasing those, which even if they have been harvested legally from the seas or oceans around the world, could be doing untold ecological damage to the environment from which they have been taken. Plus another problem with obtaining reefs for your aquarium, which have been taken from the seas or oceans, is that these find it far more difficult to cope and become acclimatized to living in an environment that is artificial.

The other thing to think about, is obtaining a saltwater reef aquarium where they come with a complete kit of the chemicals that you need, to prepare your freshwater to make it into the right saltwater environment for the reef and your saltwater fish. If you can, look for those that not only come with a water temperature controller, but also an electronic pH meter and salt water saline system attached to the tank. These will ensure that the water can be adjusted to meet the requirements of not only the corals, but keep the fish healthy and alive.

The next thing you need to decide upon, is the kind of water flow you want happening in the tank. There are three different types of water flow to consider, and each will need a specific kind of pump to carry out the task.

Types Of Water Flow For Your Ready Saltwater Reef Aquarium

Laminar Flow - -
This is where the water flows horizontally and in one direction only. For this to be done you need to purchase a power head which is placed at one end of the tank then forcing the water to flow to the other end on a continuous basis. The only disadvantage to this kind of flow system in your tank is that the water only moves horizontally and not vertically as well.

Power or Surge Flow - -
This type of flow system causes the water to flow horizontally in one direction for a number of minutes before stopping and then forcing it to flow in the opposite direction. Although the water flow remains horizontal as with the laminar flow system, it can alternate the direction in which it does flow.

Turbulent Flow - -
Of all the systems you can use to get the water flowing in your saltwater reef aquarium, this is by far the best one to install. This actually allows the water to flow in a number of different directions simultaneously, and certainly the turbulence that is caused is far better for the inhabitants of your saltwater reef aquarium. Remember the reefs and corals in the oceans and seas all live in an environment where there is constant motion taking place and provides them with a way to exercise.

For more saltwater aquarium tips and saltwater aquarium supplies visit The Aquarium Lady.

By Trish Hunter
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Fish One Can Have in a Saltwater Aquarium

Fish One Can Have in a Saltwater Aquarium

A Saltwater Aquarium offers you the chance to have some of the most beautiful fish from around the world in your own home. Certainly a well maintained and cared for aquarium not only is beautiful to watch, but also will add a touch of the exotic to the d?cor of the room in which it is situated.

Yes choosing the fish which you want to place in your first saltwater aquarium can be extremely exciting, but it is important that you learn about the different species before you make that final decision. You will need to learn about how to care for them, what kinds of food they like and the type of environment in which they thrive. Also you will need to learn about whether there are any species which they do not get along with, and how much room they will need within the tank to grow.

Two Of The Popular Species Of Fish For A Saltwater Aquarium

Mollies - - -
These are usually the first kinds of saltwater fish a person will place into their aquarium when first setting it up. These are popular because they can in fact survive pretty well in any kind of salinity. Certainly in the initial setting up process, you may find it hard to keep the saltwater levels in your tank balanced correctly, and these are extremely hardy fish who will not find it that difficult to cope with any changes in the saline levels in the water.

Although generally most Mollies you can purchase are black, they do come in a wide variety of other colors which include Gold, Dalmation or Silver. Also they make a pretty addition to any saltwater aquarium because of their broad tails and large back fin. When making your purchase of Mollies, it is best if you purchase two females for every male that you buy.

Another important thing to note is that Mollies like a saltwater fish tank where there are plenty of plants, and also comes with a good filtration system. If you want to help keep them healthy, then you need to ensure that as much waste as possible is removed from the tank, because they do actually produce considerable amounts of it.

Damselfish - - -
These are another good choice of saltwater fish to have as a starter when you have first set up your aquarium. As well as being relatively cheap to buy, these come in a wide range of colors also. But you need to be aware that these particular fish can actually be aggressive towards other types of aquarium fish.

Ideally you should purchase either the Blue Devil or Yellowtail species, as both of these seem to be far less aggressive than others. However, if you do want to own some other species of Damselfish in your saltwater aquarium, it is far better if you keep these in a separate tank, especially if the aquarium you currently own is not large enough.

Along with the two types of fish we have mentioned above that you can keep in your saltwater aquarium, there are a number of others you may want to choose from. These include Angelfish, Lionfish, Clownfish and Tangs - - all of which are extremely popular with owners of saltwater aquariums, and all which you should learn about fully before you purchase.

Things To Consider When Buying Fish For Your Saltwater Aquarium

You need to remember when thinking about purchasing new fish for your aquarium, that they find it more difficult to cope with changes in their environment. So you need to make sure that your aquarium environment is as stable as possible before you go out spending money on any new fish species for your tank. Also you need to remember that such fish actually cost considerably more than many of the freshwater species do.

For more saltwater aquarium tips and saltwater aquarium supplies visit The Aquarium Lady.

By Trish Hunter
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Saltwater Aquariums - Adding Supplements to Yours

Saltwater Aquariums -How Do You Determine If Saltwater Aquariums Need Suppleme,Types Of Supplements Which One Must Include In Saltwater Aquariums..

Saltwater Aquariums - Adding Supplements to Yours

Saltwater aquariums require a lot more maintenance compared to freshwater aquariums, if you want the fish in yours to remain healthy and to thrive. What one needs to be aware of when it comes to saltwater aquariums, is that over time certain minerals and nutrients which are essential to the health of fish, can become depleted. Therefore, there are going to be times when you need to replenish these through the use of special aquarium supplements.

However, not everybody does need to add supplements to their aquarium; it all depends on how well you maintain yours. For those who chose to keep just saltwater fish in their aquarium such as, Angelfish and Clownfish and regularly change the water, and also carry out essential maintenance procedures, then adding supplements may well not be necessary.

The reason for this being that each time you change the water within any kind of saltwater aquarium, you are in fact replenishing those essential nutrients and minerals that are needed. However, if you have a saltwater aquarium in which there are corals, then you do need to provide supplements that will help to keep the calcium levels within the water high.

How Do You Determine If Saltwater Aquariums Need Supplements

The simplest and most effective way for you to determine if your saltwater aquarium requires additional supplements, is to test the water. There are numerous test kits available which can be purchased either from your local tropical fish store or online, and which quickly identify what is missing from the saltwater in your aquarium, and how much you need to add to bring it up to the appropriate level.

However, when you are adding supplements you need to be careful, otherwise you may find yourself adding too much and fixing an excess of anything can cause you problems. The only way in which an excess of anything in an aquarium can be corrected, is by changing all the water in the tank completely. This unfortunately can cause the plants, fish and coral in your tank considerable amounts of stress.

Types Of Supplements Which One Must Include In Saltwater Aquariums

There is still some debate regarding the matter of adding supplements to saltwater aquariums, as many believe that just by regularly changing the water should be sufficient to replenish those essential elements which have been lost. This certainly seems to be the case where saltwater aquariums only contain fish or fish and live rocks. But for coral reef er aquariums they feel it is essential to add a supplement of calcium to the water. But as well as adding calcium to your aquariums which contain coral reef, you may find that you need to start adding some magnesium and Kalkwasser supplements as well.

The reason why one should actually be adding calcium into coral reef saltwater aquariums is because it helps the corals, algae and any invertebrates you have in the tank to grow. Certainly without adding such a supplement, you may find it extremely difficult to keep the levels at a balance that is beneficial to the life in the tank, and which is naturally found in their wild environment.

Today you have a number of different products available which can be purchased online or through your local aquarium supply company, that provide the correct dosage of calcium for your saltwater aquariums. These come either in tablet or liquid form and although the liquid type is far easier to add to the aquarium water, it is also more expensive. However, you may also find that you need to add some carbonate or bicarbonate to the water to ensure that when you add the calcium into your aquarium, it does not lower the alkalinity in the tank as well. If the level of alkalinity does go below that which is recommended, (2.5 meg per liter of saltwater) you may find you need to add a supplement of Kalkwasser to it.

For more saltwater aquarium tips and saltwater aquarium supplies visit The Aquarium Lady.
By Trish Hunter
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/