Marine AquariaMarine Aquaria
Set-up and maintaining aSet-up and maintaining aSalt Water Fish TankSalt Water Fish Tank
AquariaAquaria
People have been trying to keep fishes as People have been trying to keep fishes as pets for centuriespets for centuries
Most people keep fresh water fishes. They Most people keep fresh water fishes. They say “they are easier to take care of.”say “they are easier to take care of.”
An aquarium is not “a little piece of the sea An aquarium is not “a little piece of the sea transplanted” or “a miniature ocean”transplanted” or “a miniature ocean”
Oceans are very stable in terms of Oceans are very stable in terms of temperature, pH, chemical ions etc.temperature, pH, chemical ions etc.
Most marine organisms are very sensitive to Most marine organisms are very sensitive to change change
Aquaria TypesAquaria Types
All glass onlyAll glass only Place on flat, sturdy surfacePlace on flat, sturdy surface Not near radiator or other heat sourceNot near radiator or other heat source Once filled (even ¼ full), DO NOT MOVE!Once filled (even ¼ full), DO NOT MOVE!
NitrogenNitrogen
NitrogenNitrogen Starts out as ammoniaStarts out as ammonia
– Major waste of most aquatic animalsMajor waste of most aquatic animals Nitrifiers – bacteria – convert ammonia to nitrite Nitrifiers – bacteria – convert ammonia to nitrite
then to “non-toxic” nitratethen to “non-toxic” nitrate The bacteria are found on aquarium walls and on The bacteria are found on aquarium walls and on
the gravel surfacethe gravel surface Undergravel filters make use of these bacteriaUndergravel filters make use of these bacteria Nitrate – 20 ppm is ideal, but up to 200 ppm is OKNitrate – 20 ppm is ideal, but up to 200 ppm is OK
pHpH
pHpH Ocean pH ranges from 8.4 – 7.5Ocean pH ranges from 8.4 – 7.5 typically 8.2 – 8.4typically 8.2 – 8.4 Aquariums tend to lower pHAquariums tend to lower pH pH of 8.1 – 8.3 is OK for an aquariumpH of 8.1 – 8.3 is OK for an aquarium
pHpH
can be changed by several factorscan be changed by several factors– respiration of animals in the tankrespiration of animals in the tank– effect of accumulated nitrate ionseffect of accumulated nitrate ions– oxidation of wastesoxidation of wastes
can be buffered by addition of calcium can be buffered by addition of calcium carbonatecarbonate
Calcareous gravel – dolomite, oyster shellsCalcareous gravel – dolomite, oyster shells
PhosphatesPhosphates
Decomposing metabolic wastesDecomposing metabolic wastes Uneaten foodUneaten food Dead plants and animalsDead plants and animals ToxicToxic
Organic MaterialOrganic Material
WastesWastes Uneaten foodUneaten food Aquariums take on a yellow color of the Aquariums take on a yellow color of the
waterwater
Feeding:Feeding:
do not overfeeddo not overfeed better to underfeed than overfeedbetter to underfeed than overfeed excess food – decreases oxygen, clouds excess food – decreases oxygen, clouds
tanktank brine shrimp are a good idea (Turn off filter brine shrimp are a good idea (Turn off filter
for a couple hours when feeding fish with for a couple hours when feeding fish with brine shrimp)brine shrimp)
Don’t be in a big rush to add animals to the Don’t be in a big rush to add animals to the tank. It must be set up and ready.tank. It must be set up and ready.
Add only a few animals at first then wait.Add only a few animals at first then wait. Don’t overcrowd the tank.Don’t overcrowd the tank.
FiltersFilters
3 Types:3 Types:– MechanicalMechanical
Takes particles out of the water – most common – Takes particles out of the water – most common – power filter with “floss”power filter with “floss”
– BiologicalBiological Undergravel FilterUndergravel Filter ““Bio-Wheels”Bio-Wheels”
– ChemicalChemical Protein ScrubberProtein Scrubber CharcoalCharcoal
Substrate:Substrate:
GravelGravel Oyster shells, dolomite (helps buffer pH)Oyster shells, dolomite (helps buffer pH) Wash the gravel prior to putting it in the tankWash the gravel prior to putting it in the tank
Cleaning filterCleaning filter none required with undergravelnone required with undergravel Change others when filter floss becomes Change others when filter floss becomes
darkdark Cleaning the sides of the aquariumCleaning the sides of the aquarium
Run-InRun-In It is necessary to establish a “biological filter” in It is necessary to establish a “biological filter” in
the form of nitrifying bacteriathe form of nitrifying bacteria they settle on the surface of the filtrant and begin they settle on the surface of the filtrant and begin
to multiplyto multiply to get the nitrifiers, you add one or two “hardy” to get the nitrifiers, you add one or two “hardy”
marine animals and then wait 12 – 15 daysmarine animals and then wait 12 – 15 days Now you can stock the aquariumNow you can stock the aquarium NOTE: Just setting up an aquarium and letting it NOTE: Just setting up an aquarium and letting it
run for 12-15 days will not do it. You need to add run for 12-15 days will not do it. You need to add animals first. animals first.
DecorationsDecorations Looks good & provides place for animals to Looks good & provides place for animals to
hide inhide in Coral, shells, rocks, etc. Coral, shells, rocks, etc. Wash firstWash first NO METALNO METAL
Water:Water:
Two Choices:Two Choices: Filtered sea water or artificial sea salts and Filtered sea water or artificial sea salts and
fresh waterfresh water Why use one instead of the other?Why use one instead of the other? Fill to about one inch from topFill to about one inch from top Mark with magic marker or wax pencil level Mark with magic marker or wax pencil level
of water – Why?of water – Why?
Heater?Heater?
If tropical fish are to be kept, use a heaterIf tropical fish are to be kept, use a heater Most cold water marine animals do fine Most cold water marine animals do fine
without a heater or cooling without a heater or cooling
Organism very difficult to keep include:Organism very difficult to keep include:– AlgaeAlgae– PlantsPlants– SpongesSponges– SquidSquid– snapper bluefishsnapper bluefish– sea robinsea robin– HerringHerring– MenhadenMenhaden– SilversidesSilversides
Clams, mussels, oysters are not a good idea eitherClams, mussels, oysters are not a good idea either
Aquarium scrubber, magnets, scrapperAquarium scrubber, magnets, scrapper Most marine animals can adapt to gradual Most marine animals can adapt to gradual
changes in water, but not rapid changeschanges in water, but not rapid changes Discuss how aquaria are made – glass, Discuss how aquaria are made – glass,
fiberglass shell with wood, lookdown, etc…fiberglass shell with wood, lookdown, etc…
RangesRanges
Salinity ideal is 1.021 – 1.023 specific Salinity ideal is 1.021 – 1.023 specific gravity (29-32 psu)gravity (29-32 psu)
DO – 5 ppm minimumDO – 5 ppm minimum Temp – 10º - 18ºC (50º-65ºF)Temp – 10º - 18ºC (50º-65ºF) Nitrate – 20 ppm is ideal, but up to 200 ppm Nitrate – 20 ppm is ideal, but up to 200 ppm
is OKis OK pH should be 8.1 – 8.3pH should be 8.1 – 8.3
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