Saltwater Fish Tank Care

Keeping a saltwater fish tank requires the understanding of its natural water chemistry. Not knowing how to maintain a saltwater aquarium will only lead to disaster, marine life is very fragile; in the wrong environment they cannot and will not survive. A tropical fresh water aquarium might be a better solution, as only the temperature and algae levels need to be monitored, which is more forgiving when forgetting or incorrectly changing the waters chemistry.

When starting a saltwater fish tank, ammonia and nitrite levels need to be checked. These levels will go to zero in new aquariums after the original nitrogen cycle. Nitrate (which is the result of the nitrogen cycle) must be monitored and kept below 0.5ppm. One of the easiest ways to keep the nitrate levels low is to regularly change the water.

Checking Phosphate levels.

Having high phosphates in the water will cause living corals to die. Corals can resist small amounts, but it is recommended to keep consistently measuring the levels before it gets out of hand.

Phosphate levels can be reduced easily with Rowaphos (ask in your local pet store – or any online saltwater fish store). This product absorbs phosphates until full, which it will then require replacing.

Salinity levels are the key to keeping your saltwater aquarium alive, without it – nothing can survive. Salinity needs to be at a constant 1.025 measure. Refractometers can be used to accurately measure the salinity of the water.

Balancing magnesium, alkalinity and calcium is another vital aspect of your new pet’s home which requires observing. These impact each other and affect the life of its occupiers.

Always check these in this order – magnesium, alkalinity and calcium (MAC for short), if you do not change the levels in this order, the sea life could be damaged.

Magnesium is used to keep the balance of the other two. Without maintain the magnesium levels, keep alkalinity and calcium at the correct levels will be a much harder job. As a general rule (but always check the conditions required for your chosen marine life) Magnesium levels should be between 1300ppm and 1500ppm. 1350ppm is the average level of natural sea water.

Alkalinity must be kept at a level an average of 7dKH - 10dKH (again, always seek advice for specific species).

Hard corals, like us; require Calcium to create and maintain their skeleton. Calcium levels should be at around 400ppm.

PH levels constantly change as they are affected by many varying factors, which include; light, oxygen, magnesium, alkalinity and calcium (MAC). It is obviously recommended that results should be collected at the same time of day, to counter the varying factors (ie, light).

In short; how to: maintain a saltwater aquarium:

Check ammonia and nitrite levels when first installing a kind of saltwater aquarium

Then consistently check:

Salinity levels

Phosphate levels

Magnesium, alkalinity, and calcium levels

PH levels

Easy, huh? Saltwater aquariums require a little more upkeep that the usual fresh water fish tank. The reward for this heavily maintenance is a unique marine life experience.