2006-09-20 12:25:49 · 6 answers · asked by smirdy_smird 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
You really need to have a base that is three inches deep, made up of live sand or fine aragonite. It carries a lot of bacteria and small life forms that are essential to a marine tank (even fish-only) and is also an integral part of the filtering system. The substrate will slowly (extremely slowly) dissolve into the water adding calcium to it.
As far as filtering goes. Water movement is also extremely important. Because of the live rock, most tanks have areas where the water doesn't move, the lack of oxygen will kill the live rock. You don't necessarily need two filters, but your single filter needs to move at least 15 gallons per hour/gallon of tank water. Some of the newer styles of filters have skimmers attached which can be really handy
It can be extremely hard to figure out what kind of set up is right for you, but once your tank is running, the maintenance can be as easy as a freshwatre tank, unfortunatly, this can take six months of fustration.
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2006-09-21 01:11:43 · answer #1 · answered by iceni 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A marine (saltwater) aquarium is the most difficult of any aquarium to maintain. Go to "About.com" and follow their links to setting up and maintaining a saltwater aquarium.
The initial start up costs will run in the neighborhood of $500 for a complete 55 gallon tank, stand, lights, filters, gravel and then you can start buying fish. The bigger the tank, the easier it is to take care of. Good luck!
2006-09-20 12:30:35 · answer #2 · answered by 8 In the corner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How big is the aqaurium? Are you going with live corals and rock or other kinds of aquatic plants?
What kinds of fish are you putting in there, and exactly what kind of filtration are you looking at.
Marine systems are a lot different when it comes to filtration that Freshwater ones. I'd recommend joining this site and asking more questions out there...
Reef Central
http://www.reefcentral.com
Good luck
2006-09-20 14:32:58 · answer #3 · answered by sly2kusa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask a good local shop that sells the fish. Mind was most helpful when it came to putting stone in my tank
2006-09-20 19:33:35 · answer #4 · answered by halloweenpumpkinuk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For any marine salt water advice go to www.reefcentral.com
Excellent source of info, deals, photos, and you can get advice from people who know what they are doing.
Um...it costs way more than $500 for a complete set up for 55 gals....Ours was a couple thousand, and still not where we wanted it completely...
Good luck!!!
2006-09-20 12:45:54 · answer #5 · answered by moni 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. and depends on the stones your using!
2006-09-21 01:54:19 · answer #6 · answered by stuart k 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋