Studies say that people at aquariums are happier and get progressively more so while they enjoy watching tiny fishes zoom around in their tanks, reports BBC. Observing the happenings inside a fish tank is also associated with developmental and emotional benefits for children. The interesting thing is that the studies mentioned above proved that biodiversity of the tank matters when determining the level of the benefits it provides. That’s why saltwater tanks filled with many colorful marine fishes are best for both mood boosting and stress relief. And with a few tips, setting up a saltwater fish tank will be easy.
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4 Tips for Setting Up a Saltwater Fish Tank for Complete Newbies
1.     Start small (and non-fishy)
Saltwater tanks are usually big because the rules state that you shouldn’t have more than three inches of marine fish per a square foot of tank. Simply put, this means that you’ll only be able to fit two fishes into a 90-litre tank for them to be comfortable and have a chance of survival.
Aquatics World is a renowned source of helpful information for all fish tank owners states that a 90-litre tank is perfectly acceptable for beginners as it gives one a chance to practice on other types of marine life. For example, you can add invertebrates, like shrimps, sea stars, feather dusters, or bumble bee snails. Don’t forget about corals and various marine plants as well.
The point of having such a tank at first is to learn how to work with saltwater environment and develop a fish tank maintenance routine. Invertebrate are very easy to care for, which is another plus for a beginner.
2.     Consider heat sources before installation
The first thing to know when setting up a saltwater fish tank is that you must maintain a specific temperature within it. The exact temperature will depend on what you choose to populate it with. But it’s essential to adhere to strict rules of temperature control as marine fish are very sensitive to this factor.
This means that you should install your marine fish tank away from windows (direct sunlight), drafts, and AC system’s vents. Place it somewhere with minimal airflow and far away enough from the window so the sunlight won’t be a problem for water temperature. A saltwater fish tank must have a lighting and saltwater filter system with water pumps that will maintain optimal conditions at all times.
3.     Install a ‘simulation’ tank for a few days
When setting up a saltwater fish tank, you need to get it right on your first try because moving it is risky, difficult, and stressful for the fish and yourself. That’s why you should clear up the area where you want to install it and fill it with boxes or any other construct that will emulate the tank. Keep it up for a few days to determine if the placement is truly best for you.
Remember to keep the tank 4-6 inches away from the walls.
4.     Use filtered water only
Having a reverse osmosis filter will be best for a saltwater aquarium as you’ll need to get it as purified as you can before adding a specialized sea salt mix.
Be sure to memorize the proportions as it’s essential to keep the water in the tank consistent. Adding actual seawater is not recommended as you can’t be sure in its quality, so it puts the fish at risk.
