Saltwater Aquariums Archives - Page 6 of 6

Here a Tank, There a Tank – So Which Is Right For Me?

You have decided that you want to invest in an aquarium either for your own pleasure or for another family member. Let’s see – Saltwater? Freshwater? Let me see if I can give you some ideas to help you out.

Fish Only Tank

You may decide to have a ‘fish only’ saltwater tank. Fish only tanks are the easiest to care for because that is all there is. You can now decide on either tropical or coldwater fish to put into your tank. Tropical fish, like the Angel or Clownfish, have vivid colors and tend to be more appealing to a tank lover. Coldwater fish, like Bloodfin Tetras, Guppies, or goldfish, are easy to care for, hardy and can tolerate lower water temps.

Invertebrate Only Tank

You may also think about starting an ‘invertebrate only’ tank. This means your tank would be made up of shrimp, hermit crabs, gobies, and maybe starfish. Most of these are ‘tank cleaners’ so they will ‘naturally’ help clean your tank. Yes, you still need to worry about filters, food, and water quality, but they are not as delicate as other types of fish. If you do select any type of crab, you need to provide them with some sort of resting place that is ‘above’ water. They are not fully aquatic, and do need to come out of the water from time to time. Just remember to keep the tank lid in place, as they are quick to play the ‘escape artist’ in favor of running wild on your floors.

Fish and Invertebrate Tank

You can combine tanks to create a ‘fish and invertebrate’ saltwater tank. If you go with this type of aquarium, you will need to be very careful when you begin mixing species. Some fish use invertebrates for food, and some invertebrates like fish for dinner! You will also need to step up your tank maintenance plans because diseases are easily spread, and are harder to prevent and cure when there is co-existence in a tank.

Saltwater Coral Reef Tank

If you have the room and space, you may decide on a saltwater ‘coral reef’ tank. Once again, reef tanks need a stepped up care plan, and you must research your dwellers very carefully. If you remember my blog on corals, certain corals thrive in saltwater, so make sure you ask before you buy or transplant.

Single Dweller Tank

There is another type of tank that I call a ‘single dweller’ tank. By that I mean, if you are really fond of one certain fish or sea creature, you can make that the focal point of your tank. Take Sea Apples for example. Sea Apples have a defense system that emits toxic chemicals when threatened. They really prefer to be left alone, but would be ok in a tank where the other dwellers were more interested in each other than the Sea Apple. Another single dweller would be the Lionfish. They have been known to eat prey half their size, as well as devouring devour marine fish and invertebrates. They are aggressive, predatory, and really should be by themselves.

Brackish Tank

Lastly, there is a ‘brackish’ tank which is a mixture of both waters – salt and fresh. Salt levels are key to both your brackish tank and its dwellers. This type of tank recreates an aquatic network similar to that of coastal streams and saltwater swamps. Like tropical freshwater tanks, they need filters, a heater and proper lighting. What makes them different is the dark substrate-like sand, live plants, driftwood, and of course – levels of salt. Dwellers for this type of tank would be mollies and gobies, with plants like the Carolina Fanwort. Brackish tanks are a challenge, but well worth the effort.

Seatech Aquariums Makes ‘Deciding’ Easy!

There are many options to select from and when you need a great place to start, Seatech Aquariums has everything you need. With over 50 years of aquarium experience, the Seatech Team will be able to help you go from start to finish, with results that are stunning and impressive to your guests, as well as provide you with a tank that you will always love and care for.

So if you are ready to start – pick up the phone and call Seatech today! Don’t just dream about that special aquatic tank – begin to make that ‘dream’ happen with the Seatech Aquarium Dream Team!

[big_title2]Your Saltwater Aquarium “To Do” List[/big_title2]

Saltwater aquariums can act like an oasis to help you kick back and relax for a few hours. Watching the fish move in and out of the coral, or just floating along, calms the nerves and eases the senses. Yet with any type of an aquarium, even saltwater aquariums, they need to be taken care of every day. For the best advice on all types of aquariums, Seatech is the expert for Scottsdale aquarium maintenance.

In many ways, saltwater aquariums are like children because they needs lots of love and care. Even one day without attending to your tank can create an unhealthy aquatic home. So to stay on top of your aquarium maintenance, the “To Do” list below will help keep you on track for your aquarium maintenance.

Wash your hands before you start working in or on your saltwater tank. Soaps, lotions, food particles – anything that is ‘foreign’ to your aquarium will create problems for the fish, the coral, and the water. Saltwater aquariums require ‘balance’ in order to stay healthy.
Check on your saltwater tank every day. Watch your fish and how they act with a keen eye. When they swim, are they active? Do they still look healthy? Maybe they tend to hide in a corner and won’t come out not even for food. If you see any signs that look like they have been hurt, or are just not acting normal, then you need to figure out what is going on without delay.
Test your saltwater tank on a daily basis. Watch for signs of fungus growing on the glass. Is the water too hot or too cold? Check to make sure the filters are working. Dirty or polluted water can mean a filter, pump or circulation problem. Saltwater aquariums have to be as close to ‘natural’ saltwater conditions as possible to keep fish and fauna lively.
Be careful when you select any new fish. Keep your new fish in a separate tank for a few days before you let them meet the rest of the family. Continue to look for anything that hints they may be sick or hurt. Once you are sure they are in good health, add each fish to the tank slowly. Let them swim around and get to know their other tank dwellers. When you make sure everyone gets along, you will prevent ‘fish fights’ that trigger nasty results in your tank.
Feed your saltwater fish on a regular schedule. Too much food causes poor water quality, disturbs the saltwater balance, or causes the fish and the tank to get sick and/or die. Small amounts are the best, several times a day, and make sure all of the food is eaten.
Do not overcrowd your tank. As fish mature, new fish take up residency, or you add a new coral or plant life, things can get a bit ‘tight’ which will put your tank out of shape. Again, balance is the key for a great looking aquarium.
Always do your fish research. Some types of fish get along great and others will end up running the show and scaring everyone! When pairing fish, Tangs are very popular. They add great color but can be a bit nasty. Another good fish is a Talbot’s Damsel. Damsel’s are hardy fish and do not grow very big. As long as there are no fish fights, illnesses or tank issues, they will live a long time. My favorite is the Clownfish (yes, I love Nemo!!). They are in the same family as Damsel fish, can be a bit bossy, but are great saltwater additions.

Now that you have your To Do list, let Seatech’s aquarium team help you plan, design and maintain your saltwater aquarium. As experts in Scottsdale saltwater aquarium maintenance, you can be sure that your tank will get the best care available. Jimmie and Mike have over 60+ years of combined knowledge in aquarium experience. The guys at Seatech love a challenge, and no one does aquarium maintenance better than Seatech!

Call Seatech today and find out how easy it will be when they are your Scottsdale aquarium maintenance specialists. And don’t forget to ask about their 6-month Live-stock guarantee! Whether Seatech comes in to start your saltwater tank, or take over an existing saltwater tank, rest assured that Seatech is the ‘best’ choice in Scottsdale saltwater aquarium maintenance. And for more information on saltwater fish, corals and marine aquariums in general, visit http://animal-world.com/encyclo/marine/salt.htm

Category Archives: Saltwater Aquariums

Types of Aquariums