How do you maintain a saltwater fish tank? How often do you need to change the water?

Answer 1

General maintenance is similar to freshwater tanks - scrape the glass, partial water changes (20-25% per week), using a hang-on, canister, or trickle filter.

The differences are that you have to mix the salt and fine-tune the salinity beforehand - you can't just add water directly from the faucet. You need a hydrometer or refractometer to get the correct salt concentration - 1.020-1.026 for fish-only tanks to 1.024-1.026 for reef tanks - you can't always judge by volume of salt to volume of water because salt compacts as it absorbs atmospheric moisture. And if your tap water contains nitrates or phosphates, you may need to invest in a reverse osmosis unit, or buy reverse osmosis water to use so you don't have algae problems. A protein skimmer is also highly recommended, especially if you're keeping a reef tank. The skimmer works in addition to your regular filtration to remove dissolved organic material. A skimmer produces a fine spray of air bubbles that attract protein molecules and push them upward through a tube into a collection device which you empty - the proteins would otherwise contribute to the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in the water.

And unlike freshwater, where you generally advised not to play with the chemistry unless you're keeping fish like discus or African cichlids, you will need to adjust pH, alkalinity, and sometimes calcium depending on the needs of the organisms you're keeping.

Here are two websites where you can get more information about saltwater tanks and all that goes into them:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/
http://www.peteducation.com/category_summary.cfm?cat=1987

NOTE: Thanks, Evelyn - I just posted this answer before I even got the email!

Answer 2

Not enough info. How big a tank? What filtration? What types of fish? At one time I had a 5000 gallon saltwater tank in my home. Sold the home and couldn't take the tank, for an obvious reason: the home was built around the tank. If you're having to ask this type of question you're going to have problems. You need to do some research before you even start this project. I killed a lot of fish before I decided to educate myself on this subject. Good luck..

Answer 3

sure you need to use faucet water yet you will ought to enable it sit down to enable all the chlorine settle out. I also have a Betta fish and it incredibly is what I did. i offered a gallon jug of water. Used that the 1st time. Then I crammed it up with faucet water and enable it sit down until i mandatory to alter the tank back. The water would be waiting in some week. it incredibly is the terrific way so which you do no longer ought to shop utilising bottle water.

Answer 4

Almost the same way as a regular one but with salt.You do know the fish are very very expensive for salt water.My friend had a fish that was guarenteed 24 hour life when purchased ,the third day it died and it cost $85.00 dollars salt water

Answer 5

I send a link of your question to copperhead, he is the right person to ask




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