▷ Saltwater Aquarium for Beginners | All information and details

To begin with, a saltwater aquarium with a volume of 250 liters is ideal.

An aquarium of this size already offers space and is stable.

When it comes to dimensions, height doesn’t necessarily matter. Many fish remain at the bottom and cannot use the space to swim.
Depth is the most important dimension.

The water is refracted by the light, making the content appear closer when viewed.

A depth of 50 centimeters or more already offers enough space for stone structures, which also make the aquarium appear larger.

Alternatively, there are so-called nano aquariums – a detailed description in the context of seawater aquaristics can be found here.

substrate

The basis for an aquarium is the substrate and the culture medium with different grain sizes.

Active substrate with nutrient soil

An active substrate can contain nutrients for the plants. This consists of soil enriched with nutrients and supplies the plants with nutrients. A liquid fertilizer can also be added to the water. The breeding ground is leveled and covered with gravel or sand.

Floor heating

Floor heating prevents rotting in the sandy soil. The rising heat moves the water in the soil, preventing the formation of rotten stones and transporting the nutrients to the roots of the plants. In order to prevent clogging in the filter, it is only switched on when the dust has settled and the water is clear.

Active substrates and nutrient soils deplete over time, depending on water and planting, and must be changed.

gravel and sand bottom

Gravel and sand have already been cleaned, but should still be washed beforehand so that the floor is not clouded by the abrasion caused by transport.
Regardless of the substrate, the filling level must be high enough so that the plants do not rub.
To avoid injuries to the fish, the gravel must not have any sharp edges.

Worth knowing

While a light floor reflects the light, the colors of the fish and other inhabitants show up much more strongly on a dark floor.

Technology

filter

Internal or external filters are the heart of the aquarium and ensure the ideal water parameters through cleaning. The choice of filter depends on the size of the aquarium and the number of fish. The higher the stock, the stronger the filter should be.

Heating

The use of heating rods, which are placed on the wall of the aquarium, depends on the type of fish. In addition, the location should be in a place where the water circulates so that the entire amount of water is heated.
Alternatives are filters with an integrated heater. These must be placed before filling in the ground.

lighting

The lighting, which also contributes to well-being, depends on the needs of the fish and plants.
With fluorescent tubes, the light quality decreases, so that they have to be replaced after three quarters to a year to prevent unwanted growth of algae.
LED lights as an alternative are durable and save electricity.

Checklist before filling▢Floor structure completed▢Technology installed and checked▢Construction of the stones and decoration completed▢Rear wall inserted▢Salt water mixture mixed and filled

drive in the aquarium

Before introducing the fish, the aquarium must be «run in». This serves the purpose of colonizing beneficial bacteria in the water and filter. The controller is carried out by measuring the nitrite value. The daily measurement shows a strong increase and a rapid decrease.

When filling in the water, the substrate must not be whirled up too much.

tips

Pour the water over a plate or shallow bowl at the bottom. When the water level has reached the edge, it is slowly poured in over the plate.
Running in is a little faster if the contents of the tank and the filter are treated with filter starter cultures. A water conditioner is also recommended.

inserting the fish

The fish must be introduced gently and with care so that they can get used to the temperature. The open fish tanks are hung in the aquarium for about a quarter of an hour and the fish are then relocated. This is best done with a landing net so that as little bag water as possible gets into the aquarium.

Water values ​​in the saltwater aquarium

Disregarding the water values ​​can result in significant damage and must be checked at regular intervals.

Periodic review Temperature24 to 27 degreesSalinity (Density)1.022 to 1.024Calcium (Ca)420 to 440 mg/LCarbonate Hardness ( kH)6.5 to 10Magnesium ( Mg)1250 to 1350 mg/LNitrite (No2) : 0 mg/L0 mg/L Nitrate (No3 )5 to 10 mg/LPhosphate (Po4)0.01 to 0.03 mg/LSilicon / Silicate (Si02)0 mg/LOccasional review Iodine(I)0.1 mg/LAcid value (pH)7.9 to 8.4Strontium (Sr)8 mg/L

These values ​​are ideal for a reef aquarium. Any adjustments to water parameters must be made slowly.

temperature

Due to strong lighting or during the summer months, it is possible that the ideal temperature is exceeded. Long-lasting temperatures above 30 degrees can massively damage the livestock. Possibilities to prevent this are, for example, cooling units or valve motor cooling.

salinity

Fluctuations in salinity must be checked, avoided and compensated for on a regular basis.

Causes of fluctuations

Much of the loss is due to evaporation of the water. In order to avoid a rise in temperature, reef tanks are usually not covered, so a lot of water evaporates, leaving the salt in the aquarium, which in turn leads to increased density. The evaporated water can be replaced with osmosis water.
A small amount of salt water escapes through the skimmer and something always sticks to the arms during maintenance.
The classic methods of measuring are carried out using the refractometer or aerometer.

carbonate hardness

A value that is too low is compensated with lime water or a lime reactor.

calcium content

In an aquarium with coral reefs, calcium is one of the most important values ​​and its consumption should not be underestimated. The stone corals need the mineral, among other things, to build up the calcareous skeletons.

The calcium value should be kept constant and fluctuations should be avoided. Too much calcium can be counterproductive.
A precise determination of the content offers, among other things, the test with drops and a calcium reactor can be used for maintenance.

magnesium

Magnesium is one of the most important bulk elements for the growth of corals, various sea creatures and red calcareous algae. The concentration of magnesium can be determined in various ways.

nitrate

Nitrate, as an intermediate product of the nitrogen cycle, is vital for corals and algae in small amounts. Too high a value can prevent hard corals from growing and lead to an algae plague. Continuous changes of partial water with about 10 percent water can help. Part of the decomposition of nitrate takes place in living rock in bacterial form.

nitrite

The poison does not belong in the aquarium. During the running-in phase, the proportion will increase and be broken down again by bacteria after about two weeks. The increased proportion in the running-in phase is broken down by bacteria after about two weeks. A value that is too high over a long period of time affects the balance and must be restored with a large water change.

phosphate

Phosphate is created by the breakdown of microorganisms, algae and fish food. Activated carbon can release phosphate.
Too high a proportion can lead to darkening of the hard corals or a massive plague of algae. Phosphate binders and a partial water change help to reduce the value. Possible reasons for too high a level can be overstocking of the tank or overfeeding.

silicon / silicate

This is found as a too high concentration in tap water and can lead to the growth of slimy algae. The use of an osmosis system with a filter can minimize growth.

acid

Higher values ​​are referred to as an alkaline environment and lower values ​​as acidic water. A fluctuating pH value over the course of the day can be caused by algae, for example, which convert carbonic acid into oxygen. Acids can also cause a drop in content.
The measurement is carried out using a drop test or special measuring equipment.

iodine

The amount of iodine that evaporates after about three days contributes to reef growth. A trace element solution is used for replenishment.

strontium

Strontium helps coral growth, but overdosing can be detrimental.

total hardness

This value is not measured in saltwater aquaristics, the priority is on the KH value.