There are two main styles used in the design of home aquariums – marine and freshwater. Each is interesting in its own way, has characteristic features and design rules.
In this article we will tell you about the differences between marine and freshwater aquariums, what is needed to set up a marine aquarium, and how to properly start an aquarium “sea”.
Difference Between Saltwater & Freshwater Aquarium
Marine style in the design of home aquariums is very diverse.
Popular options include:
tropical;
temperate cold water;
“live rock”
nanoreef, etc.
Each option has its own distinctive features. The design style is selected taking into account living organisms and plants that will be inhabited in a closed ecosystem.
Volume
Marine plants and animals should be kept in spacious tanks. The optimal volume of a marine aquarium varies between 160–400 liters. Of course, if you wish, it is quite possible to create a marine style in a less compact ecosystem with a volume of 80–120 liters, no less. They are called mini-aquariums.
Water quality
A characteristic feature of a marine aquarium is the content of a complex of salts NaCl, CaCl, KCl and MgCl in the water. Regular table salt and sea salt from pharmacies are not suitable for preparing sea water. Special compounds are used – sea aquarium salt. Produced by various pet supply manufacturers.
In addition, the water in a saltwater aquarium is denser and gases are less soluble in it. Accordingly, in order to ensure normal conditions for the existence of fish and other living organisms, it is necessary to enrich the liquid with oxygen and ensure its good mixing. For this purpose, special pumps and aerators are used
Another feature is the alkaline reaction of water. The pH value is 8.2–8.4, while in a freshwater aquarium this figure does not exceed 6–7. Increased acidity is associated with a high content of calcium salts.
In a marine aquarium, it is important to constantly monitor water parameters using special systems.
Living stones and inhabitants
Various types of marine fish that have a bright and attractive appearance are suitable for keeping. Beginner aquarists are better off choosing unpretentious breeds that can easily adapt to normal marine tank conditions.
What fish can be introduced:
chrysiptera – a bright deep blue fish with a yellow tail;
green tamarin – soft light green color;
squirrel fish – red elongated body with white horizontal stripes;
clown ocellaris – contrasting coloring, vertical white stripes on a bright red body;
Blue Tang – neon blue body color with black pattern, bright yellow fin and tail;
pennant butterfly – white body with vertical black stripes, back and tail are bright yellow;
doctor wrasse – on an elongated body there are three wide stripes of white, black and turquoise, located horizontally;
falsechromis Friedman – an elongated body of a rich purple hue.
There are many other beautiful saltwater fish that can be found in a home saltwater aquarium.
The highlight of a marine aquarium is live rock. They have a porous structure and natural origin. They are broken off from real reefs. These stones are called living because microorganisms live inside the porous micropores – small crustaceans, bacteria, marine worms, etc.
Live rocks in a saltwater aquarium perform biological filtration of water. They are able to provide the correct nitrogen cycle without the use of additional equipment. In addition, they perform an excellent decorative function and can become a good shelter for fish.
Aquariums with live rocks look especially attractive and natural. And when decorating a reef style, live corals can be easily attached to porous rocks without using special glue.
Launch cost
It is impossible to say for sure how much money you will have to spend to start a marine aquarium. It all depends on various details and design features, the chosen marine style and living inhabitants for settling in an artificial reservoir.
According to reviews, owners will have to spend at least 10–15 thousand rubles on full equipment. This is an approximate calculation of the costs of starting a small tank. Accordingly, the larger the aquarium and the more diverse its internal equipment, the higher the cost of investment.
What you need to start a marine aquarium
To create the right conditions for the existence of marine inhabitants, the aquarium must be equipped with various devices, which we will now tell you about.
Filters, flotator, pump, other equipment for water purification
Filtration requirements for saltwater aquariums are more stringent than for freshwater aquariums.
Ideally, purchasing devices such as:
dry and wet filters;
protein skimmers (flotators) – quickly remove organic compounds, preventing their decomposition;
pump – mixes water, creates underwater currents for uniform distribution of oxygen;
compressor (aerator) – necessary for air supply.
This is a standard list of equipment for a marine aquarium. Depending on the chosen inhabitants, additional equipment may be required.
Heating and lighting
In a marine aquarium with living organisms, it is necessary to maintain the correct daily routine, simulating day and night. Special lighting devices will help with this. For small tanks with unpretentious fish, standard lamps or specialized aquarium lamps that create the illusion of sea depth are suitable. Bright lighting also emphasizes the beauty of the color of sea fish.
What lighting fixtures are suitable:
fluorescent light panels;
fluorescent lamps;
LED;
metal halide.
The optimal lighting power depends on what kind of inhabitants live in the aquarium. For example, fish can exist calmly in normal light, but living corals, anemones and many invertebrates require powerful lighting. The average power calculation for aquarium lamps is 1 Watt per liter of water.
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