1. Aquarium types, parts, and testing.
Keeping an Aquarium 101
Aquarium types, parts, and testing.

2. Aquariums come in four main types:
Freshwater – salinities less than 0.5 ppt.
Saltwater – contains water and organisms found in the ocean at salinities of ppt.
Brackish water – organisms from estuaries were freshwater from rivers or streams mix with saltwater. Most are maintained at ppt.
Brine – Brine shrimp (sea monkeys) kept at salinities above 50 ppt.

3. Freshwater Tanks - Community
Most commonly kept aquarium at 10 gallons or above.
Fish are non-aggressive towards other species or their own species
Examples include:
Mollies
Platys
Guppies
Tetras
Most fish at the pet store!

4. Freshwater Tanks – Semi-Aggressive
Fish that can be aggressive towards other species or their own species.
Require larger tanks with smaller numbers and more places to hide.
Examples
Oscars
Freshwater puffers
Goldfish

5. Freshwater Tanks – Specialty Tanks
Betta :
Highly aggressive; single fish in small tank with little or no filtration.
Cichlid:
Aggressive toward non-cichlid species.
Highly colorful
From only 3 Lakes in Africa
Slider:
Freshwater green turtles
Need something to come out of water onto
Koi:
Usually kept in indoor or outdoor ponds
Fast growers

6. Saltwater Tanks – Coral Reef
Organisms that are common to the coral reefs of the Caribbean Sea, Indonesia, or the Great Barrier Reef.
Corals (real or fake) are needed for structure and shelter.
Organisms include
Angelfish
Anemones
Clownfish
Damsels
Tangs
Wrasse

7. Saltwater Tanks – Live Rock
Organisms found around rocky features.
Rocks contain organisms that help maintain water quality.
Examples include
Anemones
Eels
Cleaner Shrimp
Tube worms
Lionfish

8. Saltwater Tanks – Sand and Round
Organisms found in areas with sandy bottoms
Often contain aquatic plants
Calcium based sand such as crushed coral
Round Tanks
Needed for sensitive or high energy animals
Corners lead to injury
Fish can swim continuously without injury
Examples include
Jellyfish
Sharks
Rays

9. Brackish Tanks – Estuary Animals
Crab Tank
Sensitive tank
Aggressive
Smaller fish that require hiding places
Eat almost anything
Examples:
Escape
Pipefish
Nursery Tank
Seahorses
Juveniles and small fish that hatch and live in estuary.
Lookdowns
Blennies
Usually shrimp eaters.
Predator tank
Few medium sized or single large fish
Eat shrimp or live fish