| Setting up and designing a saltwater aquarium | | | | water. The affordability and popularity of the |
| needs adequate knowledge on different | | | | product can add as bases for consideration. The |
| equipments and materials needed. The accessories | | | | most popular salt mix is Instant Ocean according |
| are not just for aesthetic purposes but also for | | | | to a poll conducted. |
| developing a healthy marine environment. | | | | Hydrometer is a device to check the gravity and |
| There are some accessories and materials very | | | | salinity of water. Some devices are sold with no |
| important in protecting saltwater aquarium. One is | | | | need for calibration yet are high precision units. |
| the special additives like kalkwasser(calcium), | | | | Most units are made of hard plastic which makes |
| strontium and iodine. These enhance the beauty | | | | them durable. |
| of the rocks and encourage growth of pink | | | | Ground fault circuit interrupter is a device to |
| coralline algae. Kalkwasser is calcium hydroxide | | | | disrupt electricity flow. It is a special electrical |
| solution which captures carbon dioxide to create | | | | receptacle which stops electrical power for safety |
| bicarbonate ions. Strontium solutions are used to | | | | purposes. |
| open corals. Iodine is used by microalgae, bacteria, | | | | Always decontaminate coral rocks to prevent |
| fish, coralline algae and other invertebrates. | | | | harming the marine fish. These rocks add |
| Live invertebrates are accessory creatures that | | | | elegance and serve as decorations in the |
| feed on a variety of algae. They are safe for | | | | aquarium. Rocks can be of different styles and |
| reefs. Examples of invertebrates are crabs, | | | | colors. Some of the rocks include rainbow, carved |
| sponges, shrimps and marine snails. | | | | lava and lace rocks. |
| Live sand helps beneficial bacteria to convert | | | | Power heads are submersible water pumps. They |
| nitrate to nitrogen. The recommended thickness is | | | | move water around for oxygen. An aquarium |
| 3" to 6" as ideal bed for rock. They are used as | | | | must have 2 to 3 multiple power heads. |
| substrates. | | | | Protein skimmer is a device to aerate water and |
| Fluorescent lamps are special lightings best used | | | | remove waste products. It is also known as a |
| when isolated from the tank to protect metal | | | | foam fractionator. It can operate thru current or |
| parts. They are very important particularly for | | | | counter current flow. Some units sit in a sump |
| corals. | | | | while others sit outside, or hang on the back or |
| Heater and thermometer are important because | | | | rim of the aquarium. |
| water temperature should be kept at 74-78 | | | | The refractometer is used to check nitrates, |
| degrees Fahrenheit. Heaters are used to keep the | | | | nitrites and ammonia levels. It is also known as |
| temperature warm especially during winter time. | | | | saltwater hydrometer. Some units are lightweight, |
| An additional unit of heater is a good choice for | | | | portable, and accurate. |
| backup use. | | | | Test water kits check the temperature of water. |
| Synthetic salt mixes are specially formulated aqua | | | | These kits are important because water |
| salts used to condition seawater and maintain | | | | conditions easily change over a short period of |
| levels of salinity. It must be closed to natural sea | | | | time. |
| water composition and far from unwanted | | | | Pneumatic water transference device is also |
| impurities. It is important to know how it was | | | | known as turkey baster. It is used to move |
| prepared (composition) and the source of fresh | | | | waste out of nooks so it can be filtered. |