Whilst a saltwater aquarium can provide for hours of relaxation and enjoyment they also require steady ongoing upkeep to maintain optimum conditions.  Some saltwater aquarium maintenance must be conducted daily whilst other saltwater aquarium maintenance tasks are required weekly or monthly.  Keeping a saltwater aquarium isn’t necessarily a hobby intended for everyone but instead something better suited to the enthusiast. Proper saltwater aquarium maintenance will reward you with a healthy aquarium and years of enjoyment. It is recommended you keep a calendar of the required saltwater aquarium maintenance to make the task easier. There is also numerous software packages available on the market to assist with saltwater aquarium maintenance allowing you to log all of your sea life, water tests, maintenance tasks etc.

Health of Fish and Inhabitants

One of the most important tasks of saltwater aquarium maintenance is the process of checking each day for the wellness of the fish and invertebrates.  This should consist of a visual inspection of the scales and fins of the fish in addition to the coloring and vibrancy of the fish and invertebrates.  If any of the fish are dead or appear to be dying, they ought to be removed at once and any creatures which appear to be unhealthy should be transferred to a quarantine saltwater aquarium and treated accordingly.

Saltwater aquarium maintenance also requires you to familiarize yourself with the behavior of the fish in order for you to better ascertain if one is becoming unhealthy.  Should a fish or other creature die and be overlooked the deterioration and decomposing of their body will rapidly diminish the quality of the water due to the increase of ammonia to toxic levels.

Majority of all species of  fish will bear similar symptoms as they’re falling ill. Major symptoms include fins held tight to the body, sluggishness, swelling of the eyes, unsettled swimming patterns, erratic change in behavior, drifting to the bottom or gasping for air at the surface, decrease in appetite, patches on the fins or body, or fish that are normally active staying motionless. Keeping a saltwater aquarium maintenance log will allow you to see trends in water conditions that may contribute to such illness.

Aquarium Equipment

A major element of saltwater aquarium maintenance comes down to your equipment. Correct maintenance of your equipment is essential to the well being of your reef and fish. The protein skimmer cup should be cleaned daily.  It will not hurt the aquarium greatly if this skipped one day every now and then, however skipping any more could jeopardize the health of the aquarium.  Whilst monitoring the health of the fish and cleaning the skimmer, the water temperature should also be checked and any required adjustments should also be made.

On a monthly basis it is recommended that the whole protein skimmer be completely cleaned, including the cleaning of the cup in addition to all hoses and tubes.  If any air stones are present in the tank they should either be substituted with a new one or alternatively cleaned and any carbon from carbon filtration systems should also be changed.

It is recommended when conducting saltwater aquarium maintenance that every three months, all filter canisters and hoses should be comprehensively cleaned inside and out in addition to switching air pads within the air pump.  Care should also be taken to inspect for any signs of damage to impellers, interchange air valves and replace UV tubes if a UV filter is being utilized.

On a daily basis as part of your regular saltwater aquarium maintenance the equipment and accessories should be inspected and care should be taken to ensure that everything is functioning suitably.  Check that there are no leaks on the floor surrounding the aquarium and that the pump sounds like it is running properly.  As you become more acquainted with the saltwater aquarium equipment it becomes easier to detect any peculiar sounds from the equipment which may suggest that it is on the way out.

Water Changes

Water changes are an essential part of your saltwater aquarium maintenance schedule. Each week any evaporated water should be replaced with prepared saltwater and any algae growing on the glass removed appropriately. Partial water changes can be performed either weekly or fortnightly depending on how well the system is maintained overall in addition to the species of fish and other creatures within the tank. Siphoning of any excess debris or waste matter should be undertaken with fortnightly water changes.

An important tip when undertaking water changes is to have the saltwater pre-mixed a day early as the mixture is less caustic and this will ensure your fish are not harmed or shocked with the sudden addition of new water.

Salt Build Up

Salt build up is one area of saltwater aquarium maintenance that is often overlooked. It is crucial that any build up of salt around or on the saltwater aquarium be cleaned on a weekly basis.  If this isn’t done regularly the salt will build up into large chunks that risk falling back into the tank which will dramatically alter the salinity of the water.  Salt is highly corrosive to various types of metal so ensuring the equipment is cleaned regularly will assist in proper functioning.

PH, Conditioners & Vitamins

A priority of Saltwater aquarium maintenance is ongoing water testing. On a weekly basis you should be testing the salinity and pH balance, in addition to adding any required trace elements, conditioners, and vitamins for the fish and coral. Ph kits, conditioners and required vitamins are all available at your local aquarium specialist.

You can improve your saltwater aquarium maintenance by undertaking some research of individual livestock and coral that inhabit your saltwater aquarium. This will allow you to identify the required vitamins and foods necessary in the upkeep of the various livestock and this should be incorporated into the daily, weekly and monthly saltwater aquarium maintenance schedule.

Light Globes

Regardless of whether they are blown or not it is important to replace all lighting bulbs around every six months.  This is because that even if the bulbs are not blown they suffer loss of intensity and quality over time which is particularly crucial in a reef saltwater aquarium.

Not all of your saltwater aquarium is inside the tank, after all your aquarium is most likely the center piece of your home and it should be in pristine viewing condition. Once every two weeks the outside of the tank and its equipment should be dusted. Special saltwater aquarium cleaners are available for this task; alternatively a water and vinegar mix will suffice.  Under no circumstances should any harsh chemicals, including Windex, be used near the aquarium as these can easily kill the fish, remember these are very sensitive creatures.

In summary, saltwater aquarium maintenance may appear to require a sizeable level of work, however by spreading out the required saltwater aquarium maintenance into small doses it can become relatively controllable and results in an aquarium that gives ongoing pleasure to you and anyone else in its presence, for years to come. Just like anything, you get out what you put in.

Regular types of sand such as beach or builders sand must be avoided at all costs. Not are many of them unsightly in an aquarium, they commonly contain silicates which will almost guarantee algae problems in your saltwater aquarium that you will find impossible to rectify. Saltwater aquarium sand must consist of live sand or aragonite material.

Where to buy Saltwater Aquarium Sand
It is recommended that saltwater aquarium sand be purchased from reputable dealers specializing in reef aquariums. You should source live sand from suppliers who obtain it directly from the ocean or specialize in cultured live sand. It is not possible to visually identify live sand therefore buying from a reputable dealer will ensure you are buying a quality product. If you are having your saltwater aquarium sand shipped, ensure that the transit time is minimal as die-off can occur. The quicker you can get it, the better and more effective it will be during the cycling process of your tank.

How Much Saltwater Aquarium Sand
It is important to regulate how much live sand is being used as too much will increase the biological load of the tank therefore putting higher strain on your filtration equipment. If filtration equipment is not filtering water at the correct levels the saltwater aquarium eco system will be under threat and algae growth will occur.

As a general rule of thumb, enough saltwater aquarium sand should be added to the tank to provide a 1-3/4 to 2 to 2 inch substrate layer. For a more accurate measurement you should be using approximately 1.45 pounds of saltwater aquarium sand per gallon. Therefore for a 55-gallon tank you will require 80 pounds of substrate.

How to Add Saltwater Aquarium Sand
Essentially when it comes to saltwater aquarium sand there are three different setup options available. When setting up your aquarium you can choose to have 100% live sand, however this can be very costly. Sometimes this can be detrimental due to the large biological load added to the tank at once and can strain your filtration equipment.

Alternatively a combination of live sand can be mixed with another suitable substrate. Mixing the two will allow the conversion of the non-living part into live sand as the bacteria and micro organisms multiply and colonize through the entire mix. This is much more cost effective and will only require a slight increase in cycling time. Aragonite is a common type of substrate used to mix with live sand and is much cheaper at approximately $1 per pound.

If you are on a tight budget, the final option is to use 100% non-live sand. Non-live substrate will convert to live sand overtime with the increase of bacteria and micro organisms in the tank naturally, alternatively there are additives to speed up the process. Generally however this method will increase your overall cycling time greatly. This is not recommended if you are impatient!

When adding the saltwater aquarium sand it should be done at a slow pace as to avoid disturbance to the water and clouding. Do not pour the substrate directly over any live rock as this will suffocate them causing oxygen depletion and possible death.
Maintenance of Saltwater Aquarium Sand
Your substrate layer will also require cleaning as part of your ongoing saltwater aquarium maintenance. Essentially regular siphoning of the saltwater aquarium sand may be required to remove any excess waste or uneaten food matter. However the secret to this task is the addition of janitors or cleaners to your tank.

Your aquarium should incorporate inhabitants that will stir or turn over the live sand. This will ensure excess food matter and waste is filtered and keeps the saltwater aquarium sand in a continual cleaning cycle. There are a variety of crustaceans, fish and invertebrates from hermit crabs to starfish that will not only turn over the substrate but also recycle waste matter and excess food, making your job easier. Just like adding any inhabitant to your tank it is important to do your research and ensure that they are compatible with your existing creatures.

Choose a Saltwater Aquarium

The first stage of saltwater aquarium setup is to choose the best location in your environment for your fish tank. There are several factors to take into consideration when choosing an appropriate location. Choose a location that will allow for optimum viewing of the saltwater aquarium, preferably somewhere that does not receive direct sunlight and will not be affected greatly by large changes in temperature. Remember you want to get this right as moving it later on is probably out of the question.

Saltwater tanks come in all shapes, sizes and materials. I will not go in to great depth however saltwater aquariums come primarily in glass or acrylic. Glass is less expensive however is heaver and prone to breakage and cracking. Acrylic is more common and can come in some really nice curved designs however careful as it scratches easy. Pick out a suitable stand and you are all set!

Although you may believe that a smaller saltwater aquarium will be easier to maintain, larger saltwater tanks allow for biological waste material to be dissolved in greater quantities of water, providing the saltwater aquarium with a safer environment for fish over longer time periods.  As a general rule of thumb, a 55-gallon saltwater aquarium is the perfect sized starter for the beginner or where space comes at a premium.

Adding Water

The Saltwater aquarium is then filled with water that needs to be de-chlorinated (or treated via reverse osmosis), before being treated with a salt mix. Checking the pH balance (as well as the balance of nitrite and nitrate) is critical to ensuring that your fish will survive in the water of your aquarium.

Once the treated water has been added to the tank it is recommended that you run the complete system for a few days ensuring all components of your saltwater aquarium setup are functioning properly.

Equipment

A critical stage of saltwater aquarium setup is that your equipment is installed and performing correctly. Your equipment provides the 5 primary elements necessary in establishing and maintaining a well-balanced ecosystem.  These essential elements include temperature, water movement, light, nutrients and water chemistry.  The ideal temperature range for a saltwater aquarium is between 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit.  If you find the temperature regularly averaging around 80 or over, the  ecosystem will come under threat and such changes can greatly impact the health of the creatures within the saltwater aquarium.

You can navigate our website for more in depth information on the individual components of saltwater aquarium equipment.

Build your Reef

Once your saltwater aquarium setup has run successfully for several days, you can start building the foundation of your reef using substrate and live rock. It is also recommended that you add around 3 inches of live sand, which will mix with the sand bed to provide the  eco system with essential nutrients and micro-organisms.

Live rocks are of great importance to the saltwater aquarium setup as they provide your fish a habitat similar to their homes in the ocean. Live rock is a sedimentary rock so it acts as a natural filter within your aquarium. Live rock also provides the essential organisms for ongoing water management and therefore allows you to enjoy your saltwater fish and other creatures for years to come.

Cycling

Once you have designed the aqua-scape of your saltwater aquarium, the next step in saltwater aquarium set up is to allow the tank to cycle. After all the hard work you have just completed, this can be one of the most difficult tasks, because it requires patience.  Initially your new eco does not have the required bacteria for your creatures to thrive and survive. This is where the process of cycling comes in. Cycling is the process of developing and maturing the biological filtration within the tank. This process usually takes 3 to 6 weeks.
Adding Fish

The final stage of saltwater aquarium setup is adding fish. However do not get to excited here as there are many factors to take into consideration when adding fish. As fish are added the biological load of the tank is increased. Things must be added very slowly rather than all together as the aquarium can only accept so much at a time. This will allow the beneficial bacteria in your tank to increase to a level which can handle the new biological load and will not result in an Ammonia spike in your saltwater aquarium.

Taking a slow and steady approach when adding inhabitants will allow the aquarium, the water, and the natural filtration to adjust to the new load demand. It’s also important to remember, a new fish will require more food than usual, which in turn will increase waste, so ensure your filtration can keep up with this demand.

There is a lot to manage in the initial stages of saltwater aquarium setup; however, the results are that you’ll have a stunning and well-maintained aquarium in your home for all to enjoy for many years to come.