1. Freshwater and Saltwater Aquariums
By Jenessa Gjeltema

2. Choose Your Aquarium Type
The specific aquarium setup will depend upon the requirements of the species you choose.

3. Choose Your Aquarium Type

4. Choose Your Aquarium Type

5. Choose Your Aquarium Type

6. Basic Needs
Appropriate enclosure/housing
Nutrition
Hygiene
Enrichment

7. Enclosure Components Tank Stand/Canopy Lid/condenser Lights
Temperature Control
Environmental Enrichment
Filtration
Location
Water Quality

8. Enclosure Components: Tank
Consider:
Size
Shape
Materials
Convenience
Aesthetics

9. Enclosure Components: Tank

10. Enclosure Components: Lid/Condenser
Why?
Keeps fish from jumping out
Prevents evaporation
Protects lights
Considerations:
Access to tank
Keep clean of debris

11. Enclosure Components: Lighting
Why?
Plant Growth
Coral Growth
Visualizing the Fish
Fish health
Considerations:
Fixtures/ballast
Photoperiod: Use timers 12hours
Types of bulbs (size, wavelength): Mostly fluorescent full spectrum bulbs that simulate daylight at noon
Reflectors

12. Enclosure Components: Lighting
Considerations:
Fixtures
Ballast
Wavelength
Light Intensity
Reflectors
Photoperiod (12 hours)

13. Enclosure Components: Temperature Regulation
How?
Heaters
Chillers
Fans
Ventilation
Considerations:
Position of heater
Lighting

14. Enclosure Components: Environmental Enrichment
Why?
Evasion
Breeding
Quality of life
Express Personality

15. Enclosure Components: Environmental Enrichment
Types:
Wood
Rocks
Substrate
Plants

16. Enclosure Components: Plants
Why?
Oxygenation
Waste removal
Protection

17. Filtration Systems Mechanical Biological Chemical Filtration: Types:
Wool, sponge
Ceramics, sponges, rocks
(SURFACE AREA!!)
Charcoal, zeolite
Purpose:
Remove large particulate waste
Removes fish waste products
Removes odors, discoloration, toxins, and some waste products

18. Filtration Systems Considerations Tank size Stocking capacity
Water flow
Breeding
Aeration

19. Filtration Systems

20. Filtration Systems

21. Filtration Systems
Protein Skimmer: Removes organic material from marine systems

22. Filtration Systems
Underground filter: biological and mechanical

23. Enclosure Components: Location
Avoid:
windows/direct sunlight
drafty doors or fireplaces
vibrations/sharp noises

24. Water Composition: Water Testing

25. Water Composition: Stock Water
Know what is in your stock water
Test periodically
Alternatives available
Test for:
Chlorines
Copper pH
Hardness

26. Water Composition: Testing
Fresh Water: pH
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
Salt Water:
Salinity
Other:
Phosphate
Calcium
Strontium

27. Water Quality: Nitrogen Cycle
badmanstropicalfish.com (originally from

28. Water Quality: Nitrogen Cycle

29. Water Quality: Cycling A New Tank
Purpose: grow bacteria for nitrogen cycle
Takes 4-6 weeks
Tips:
“Seed” the tank
Monitor values closely
Avoid water changes
Can achieve without fish

30. Water Changes Why? Dilutes waste products Corrects pH imbalances
Can reduce algae growth

31. Performing Water Changes
Regular water changes
2% every 2 days
4% every week
20% a month

32. Adding Fish: Acclimation
Temperature
Water composition
Environmental factors
How:
15-30 min. for temperature
15 minutes for water composition

33. Nutrition Dry: Flakes Pellets Sticks Floating Sinking Wafers Seaweed
Live/Frozen:
Blood Worms
Daphnia
Brine Shrimp
Feeder fish
Plants

34. Picture from Jeremy Gay’s The Perfect Aquarium
Nutrition
Know your fish
Observe mouth
Use dry food as staple
Supplement with fresh/frozen foods
Do not overfeed
Picture from Jeremy Gay’s The Perfect Aquarium

35. Maintenance Daily: Feed Monitor Lighting Weekly: Replace evaporation
Water testing
Clean algae
Empty protein skimmer

36. Maintenance Monthly: Charcoal replacement Plant maintenance
Electrical Inspection
6 mos. To Yearly:
Change light bulbs

37. Additional Considerations
Personal Safety
Euthanasia
Environmental Impact
Veterinary Care

38. References
Axelrod, Herbert. Handbook of Tropical Aquarium Fishes. Neptune City: TFH Publications
Borneman, Eric. Aquarium Corals: Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History. Neptune City: T.H.F. Publications
Fenner, Robert M. The Conscientious Marine Aquarist. Neptune city: T.F.H Publications
Gay, Jeremy. The Perfect Aquarium: The Complete Guide to Setting Up and Maintaining an Aquarium. New York: Reader’s Digest
Hawkins, A.D. Aquarium Systems. London: Academic Press

39. References
Hemdal, Jay F. Aquarium Fish Breeding. New York: Barron’s
Hiscock, Peter. Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants. New York: Barron’s
Sandford, Gina. The Tropical Aquarium. New York: Barron’s
Stoskopf, Michael. Fish Medicine. Philadelphia: W.B. Sauders Co
Tullock, John. Water Chemistry for the Marine Aquarium. New York: Barron’s

40. Special Thank You to:
Fish World
and
Aqua Pros

41. I can help you get some hands-on experience!
Thank You! Questions?
If you would like to learn more about fish (as well as coral and amphibian) husbandry, please contact me at
I can help you get some hands-on experience!