Few species have suffered more from climate change than coral. The Great Barrier Reef is dead, and humans have to find a way to rescue one of the most important species on the planet from extinction, or we may soon share its fate.
As frightening as that may seem, where there’s humanity, there’s hope, and we can all do our small part to help coral survive. One way we can help is by starting our saltwater aquarium.
It may not seem like much, but learning how to care for these magnificent creatures can give you the perspective you need to take care of your environment. Read on to discover how to set up your saltwater aquarium!
1. How to Pick a Location
Before assembling the saltwater aquarium, you must first decide on your location. The tank should be away from windows, outside doors, heat vents, and air ducts. Remember, corals are living creatures who have preferred temperatures just like humans. If you want healthy acclimating copepods, you’ll have to keep the temperature right.
You should also keep your tank’s heaviness in mind. Saltwater aquariums equal 8 lbs per gallon, so if you have a 55-gallon tank, it will weigh 460 lbs when full. Make sure you place it on a sturdy floor.
You should also place some distance between the tank and your wall, as you will need access to filters.
2. How to Assemble the Tank
Follow this step-by-step process to assemble your saltwater aquarium.
- Rinse the tank to rid it of any dust or debris.
- Firmly set the tank in place. Make sure its levels are correct.
- Make sure there is enough room between the wall and the back of the tank.
- Place your designated background into the saltwater aquarium.
- Fill the tank to 1/3 capacity, then check for leaks.
3. The Filter and Skimmer
Filter installation depends on the manufacturer. Refer to the owner’s guide. Keep both the filter and the protein skimmer unplugged during this stage.
4. How to Add Substrate
Rinse the substrate and any other decoration before placing it into the saltwater aquarium. If you buy live sand, you must wash it with premixed saltwater, then drain the saltwater after rinsing.
5. Filling the Tank and Adding Salt
If you don’t find any leaks, you can now fill the rest of the tank. Then add the correct amount of water conditioner and begin sprinkling marine salt into the container. Continue sprinkling until you reach a gravity reading of 1.020.
6. Setting the Heater and Thermometer
Place the heater into the tank and complete installation instructions. The installation process varies depending on the heater. But no matter the type of heater, it must be installed correctly to avoid overheating the water.
After installing the heater, you can start the filter and turn on the light. After twenty minutes of running the filter and the light, you can start the heater and protein skimmer. Set the water between 72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. Letting the Tank Stabilize
After setting up your tank, you need to let everything stabilize before placing any corals in your aquatic city. The stabilizing period for most tanks is 24-48 hours.
8. Saltwater Aquariums Impress
Not only do saltwater aquariums build a sense of responsibility and conservation, but they also look great as decorations. So what are you waiting for? Get yours today.
Saltwater aquarium critters aren’t the only types of pets you can have. Check out our inventory for more terrific pet accessories!