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Published byCuthbert Neal Modified over 9 years ago
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Marine Aquaria Set-up and maintaining a Salt Water Fish Tank
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Aquaria People have been trying to keep fishes as pets for centuries Most people keep fresh water fishes. They say “they are easier to take care of.” An aquarium is not “a little piece of the sea transplanted” or “a miniature ocean”
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Oceans are very stable in terms of temperature, pH, chemical ions etc. Most marine organisms are very sensitive to change
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Aquaria Types All glass only Place on flat, sturdy surface Not near radiator or other heat source Once filled (even ¼ full), DO NOT MOVE!
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Nitrogen Nitrogen Starts out as ammonia –Major waste of most aquatic animals Nitrifiers – bacteria – convert ammonia to nitrite then to “non-toxic” nitrate The bacteria are found on aquarium walls and on the gravel surface Undergravel filters make use of these bacteria Nitrate – 20 ppm is ideal, but up to 200 ppm is OK
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pH pH Ocean pH ranges from 8.4 – 7.5 typically 8.2 – 8.4 Aquariums tend to lower pH pH of 8.1 – 8.3 is OK for an aquarium
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pH can be changed by several factors –respiration of animals in the tank –effect of accumulated nitrate ions –oxidation of wastes can be buffered by addition of calcium carbonate Calcareous gravel – dolomite, oyster shells
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Phosphates Decomposing metabolic wastes Uneaten food Dead plants and animals Toxic
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Organic Material Wastes Uneaten food Aquariums take on a yellow color of the water
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Feeding: do not overfeed better to underfeed than overfeed excess food – decreases oxygen, clouds tank brine shrimp are a good idea (Turn off filter for a couple hours when feeding fish with brine shrimp)
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Don’t be in a big rush to add animals to the tank. It must be set up and ready. Add only a few animals at first then wait. Don’t overcrowd the tank.
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Filters 3 Types: –Mechanical Takes particles out of the water – most common – power filter with “floss” –Biological Undergravel Filter “Bio-Wheels” –Chemical Protein Scrubber Charcoal
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Substrate: Gravel Oyster shells, dolomite (helps buffer pH) Wash the gravel prior to putting it in the tank
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Cleaning filter none required with undergravel Change others when filter floss becomes dark Cleaning the sides of the aquarium
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Run-In It is necessary to establish a “biological filter” in the form of nitrifying bacteria they settle on the surface of the filtrant and begin to multiply to get the nitrifiers, you add one or two “hardy” marine animals and then wait 12 – 15 days Now you can stock the aquarium NOTE: Just setting up an aquarium and letting it run for 12-15 days will not do it. You need to add animals first.
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Decorations Looks good & provides place for animals to hide in Coral, shells, rocks, etc. Wash first NO METAL
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Water: Two Choices: Filtered sea water or artificial sea salts and fresh water Why use one instead of the other? Fill to about one inch from top Mark with magic marker or wax pencil level of water – Why?
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Heater? If tropical fish are to be kept, use a heater Most cold water marine animals do fine without a heater or cooling
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Organism very difficult to keep include: –Algae –Plants –Sponges –Squid –snapper bluefish –sea robin –Herring –Menhaden –Silversides Clams, mussels, oysters are not a good idea either
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Aquarium scrubber, magnets, scrapper Most marine animals can adapt to gradual changes in water, but not rapid changes Discuss how aquaria are made – glass, fiberglass shell with wood, lookdown, etc…
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Ranges Salinity ideal is 1.021 – 1.023 specific gravity (29-32 psu) DO – 5 ppm minimum Temp – 10º - 18ºC (50º-65ºF) Nitrate – 20 ppm is ideal, but up to 200 ppm is OK pH should be 8.1 – 8.3
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