1. Saltwater Aquariums

2. The essential items for your tank

3. Gravel (Substrate) Purposes: decoration biological filter sand is especially good provides hold for possible plants maintain pH level of water Crushed shells

4. Heaters Needed for tropical organisms 78º F is ideal. Thermometers Monitors the temperature of the tank

5. Air Pumps simply bubbles air into the water provides dissolved oxygen for animals to breath NOT necessary if your tank maintains adequate water movement together with surface agitation (provided by the falling water from the filter).

6. Hood prevents organisms from escaping keeps water from evaporating so quickly and keeps salt spray inside tank Lights bring out the colors of your fish If you have plants, provides necessary energy for growth

7. Biological Filtration (living) MANDATORY! Certain species of bacteria break down toxic nitrogen compounds Synthetic bacteria occurs naturally in: Substrate Bioballs Biowheel

8. Chemical Filtration (chemicals) Added to mechanical method activated carbon (charcoal) placed inside filters which maintains clear water quality UV sterilizer Eliminates bacteria, algae and protozoans in the water.

9. Mechanical Filtration (machine) Removes solids or particulate matter before they can be decomposed Examples: filter pads Sponges protein skimmer nets

10. What You’ll Need to Know to take care of a tank

11. Water Chemistry Common Chemistry Tests pH: 7.5 – 8.4 Temperature : 77 - 80 Salinity – 1.020 – 1.023 or 27 ppt – 32ppt Nitrogen tests – 0 ppm Most important ways to fix salinity and nitrogen problems: Filtration Water changes – dilution method

13. Salinity Define: total amount of dissolved salts in water Maintained by: Adding freshwater or saltwater Measured by Hydrometer uses specific gravity

14. Nitrogen Compounds Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate Should all be around 0 ppm Measured by paper or chemical tests Could be high if: Cycling of tank is not complete Too much food Too many fish

15. BONUS: Predict the time period that would be best to add fish to a tank. Explain why you pick that time period. Use evidence from the graph. Write it at the bottom of your paper!