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| Coral Banded Shrimp |
Starting your first salt water fish tank is going to be very exciting, but keep in mind it will take a lot of dedication. I am going to give you some tips based on my experience and facts on how to start your first salt water tank. I recommend getting at least a 55 gallon or bigger, since most salt water fish grow very large and require a lot of space to swim. I really need to emphasize that you will need to let the water cycle for about 3-4 months before adding your fish, because if you add your fish before the water is cycled your fish can die from new tank syndrome. I recommend cycling with live rock and live sand. I used damsels and hermit crabs and they lived through the cycle, but in some cases you will sadly lose the fish. I also highly recommend getting a Fluval Canister filter if you can’t get a wet-dry filter, it will help keep your water clean for months and it adds great circulation to your water.
- Live sand (1 to 1½ pounds per gallon)
- Live rocks ( 1.5 pounds per gallon )
- Salt Water (you can make your own saltwater with saltwater mix or buy the saltwater at your local fish store) I buy my water since it is much quicker and it is not that expensive, plus it has natural live bacteria.
- Power head (this helps create better water circulation)
- Lights (I use a 50\50 Reef Sun-fish only) but 3 to 5 watts per gallons is recommended for reef.
Once you have cycled your tank, you should test your water parameters. I used the listed products below. Alternatively, have your water tested at your local fish store, but I recommend having your own test kit for quick results. These are the products I use to maintain my fish tank:
- Test Water Kit (pH Test, Ammonia Test, Nitrite test, Nitrate test and calcium if you do a reef aquarium) http://www.aquariumpharm.com/Products/Product.aspx?ProductID=69
- Marine buffer from Seachem (safely raises & maintains pH to 8.3) http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/MarineBuffer.html
- Thermometer for water temperature (72 to 76 F degrees is recommended)
- Aquarium Hydrometer from
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| pH Test |
After cycling I recommend to test your water before you buy your fish. Make sure there is no ammonia, pH is not too low, and also that the nitrate and nitrite are not too high. Ammonia is usually produced from solid waste or any uneaten food, therefore even small amounts of ammonia can stress your fish and large amounts will kill your fish. Your fish will need a specific pH level depending on the species but ideally you want to keep it between 8.1 to 8.4. This is why you will need to add pH buffer to keep your water at the pH level that your fish requires. High nitrate levels can produce algae growth and poor fish health. Finally, high levels of Nitrite can cause suffocation and fish death. This is why it is important to check you water parameters and to also read about the fish before you make your purchase. Also, keep in mind to gradually add fish instead of adding all at once. Two fish at a time is the ideal way to start, and always add the least aggressive fish first and the most aggressive for last.
Now comes the most exciting part, adding your fish. Before you add your fish, you will need to let your fish acclimate. First put your fish in the water while still in the bag for about 15-20 minutes so that he can adjust to the temperature. Alternatively, you can use the drip method, where you add a little bit of the water from your tank into the bag with your fish, little by little for about 15 minutes. Once you are ready to release the fish into the tank, make sure to turn off your lights first to reduce stress. If you decide to feed, don’t be surprised if he does not eat the first day or two. The fish will be adjusting to their new habitat and this may be stressful for most fish. I feed my fish New Life spectrum Thera Regular Formula pellets and Frozen Emerald Formula for omnivore fish. If your fish is does not eat on the second day, I would recommend to feed with some Kent Garlic Extreme, this will open up their appetite. Keep an eye on your fish the first week for any signs of illness, so that you can take the appropriate action. Also, do your best to schedule 10% to 20% water changes monthly to keep your fish nice and healthy.
