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How to create a perfect Marine Aquarium

It is recommended that you obtain an aquarium of at least 100 litres capacity. Bigger is better as the larger the volume of water the aquarium holds, the more stable the conditions will be, and the easier it will be to maintain a healthy balance. It is always a good idea to choose the largest aquarium so that you have space.

 Most of the equipment used in freshwater fish keeping can be used in the marine aquarium. It is essential that you have a set of test kits that will allow you to see the exact condition of your water. While highly recommended and important in freshwater fish keeping, most people see them as an unnecessary expense. Luckily most freshwater fish are able to cope with a wide range of water conditions.

Naturally a marine aquarium requires salt, a Hydrometer to measure the salt with, a good quality filter with a large biological surface area, a few things for decoration. 

 In order to keep these creatures happy and healthy we need to take the time to prepare a stable home for them. This can take approximately six weeks and the time can be used to decorate the aquarium. To ensure that the environment is stable enough before introducing the fish the filter has to first "mature". This is achieved by adding a commercial preparation of good bacteria to the filter. The system then goes through a period in which the bacteria multiply.  An essential process then occurs where toxic ammonia builds up in the system, this is converted by the bacteria into another substance known as nitrite,  and then eventually into nitrate. It is just after this time that the system is then ready to receive its first inhabitants.

 Fish have to be introduced to the aquarium in stages. Take the time to decide what species you really want to keep and then add as few as possible at a time. Even though the system is now mature, no load has been placed on it until the fish arrive. When the fish are added the system has to re-adjust to the load placed in it by the waste products produced by the inhabitants. This means an increase in ammonia that has to be processed by the bacteria.  Once the system settles down is it safe to introduce more stock.

The number of fish you can keep in a marine aquarium is less than freshwater aquariums but the colours and behaviour of the animals more than make up for this. Don't be tempted to overstock your aquarium as marines are used to space and some fish can be quite territorial if crowded.

 Some of the easiest marines to keep are the  colourful and lively Damsel fish who dart in and out of coral heads and dash around the aquarium with a seemingly limitless amount of energy and clown fish whose stripes and waddling behaviour will keep you amused for hours.

 When deciding to keep marines it is essential to understand that the great majority of these animals have traveled halfway around the world and been brought to us that we may enjoy them. We owe it to them to take care of them by providing them with the correct environment in which they not just survive but thrive.

 A few do's and don'ts:

•               Do be patient in establishing your aquarium
•               Do test your water regularly and maintain good water quality
•               Do read up on species requirements before purchasing your livestock
•               Do take your time to stock your aquarium
•               Do have fun creating an undersea world   
•               Do not use a "mirror" finish aquarium as the mirror will corrode and pollute the water
•               Do not overstock your aquarium
•               Do not overfeed your fish