Learn More > Aquariums > The Aquarium > Marine Aquarium Set Up

Setting Up the Marine Aquarium

Positioning your Aquarium

Your aquarium will weigh a lot when it's full (many marine aquariums weigh half a ton or more!), so make sure that it's on a properly designed base or cabinet and that the floor is level and able to support the weight of the aquarium, water and rocks.

The best place for any aquarium is in a room without too much natural light and where the temperature will stay very steady. Ideally, it should be in ground floor room against an interior wall, away from windows and sources of heat/draughts. Too much light will cause unwanted algae to grow, and a changing temperature will be bad for any fish or invertebrates in the tank.

Gravel or Sand Substrate

If you have coral sand or gravel which is dry in a bag, it can be rinsed with normal tap water until clean, and then placed evenly across the base of the aquarium. If you have bought a ‘live' substrate, i.e. sand or gravel which is packed moist or in a bag with water you'll need to get the aquarium water to the correct temperature and salt level before you add the live substrate.

Mixing Saltwater Water

When you fill your aquarium for the first time it's easiest to add water straight from the tap. This can then be treated with a dechlorinator, which will remove harmful chlorine and chloramines from your tap water. Salt is sold in packs which tell you how many litres of sea-water they'll produce, so it's easy to add the correct weight of salt for the aquarium's water volume. The easiest way to mix the salt into the water quickly is to put it in a bucket with some aquarium water, stir it until the salt grains have dissolved and then add the mix to the tank. It's easier to do this method than putting the whole amount of salt needed in the aquarium as it can take a day or more to dissolve. Mixing it in a bucket is also a good method to use when it comes to doing water changes.

You can switch on the heater and filtration at this point. Only when your water temperature is at the desired level (usually around 25 Celsius) you can measure the specific gravity of the water using a hydrometer. We recommend keeping a fish only aquarium at a specific gravity of 1.022 and a reef tank at a specific gravity of 1.024.

Salt levels in nature are slightly higher, but higher salt levels in a tank make it harder to filter the aquarium and the fish produce more waste.

When the water temperature and salt level are correct, you should check the pH level. This should be 8.4.

Now you can start adding livestock to the aquarium, or if you have live substrate you can introduce that.

In terms of adding livestock to your aquarium, you should always talk to your supplier so they can advise you what's best to introduce to your aquarium, as some animals are better suited to a new aquarium than others. Before you add any livestock, you should make sure Nitrite and Ammonia levels are Zero, and you should carefully monitor waste levels after livestock is introduced.

Disclaimer:  This article is supplied for informative purposes only. Seapets Ltd has done its very best to make sure that the above information is up-to-date and correct, but takes no responsibility for any consequences resulting from the following of this advice. As always, it is recommended that you consult with your local vet regarding any concerns that you may have for your pet.

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