Having a saltwater aquarium requires a lot of work, maintenance, and-especially-saltwater fish tank supplies. Here are some pointers to make sure that you get everything you need to set up and care for a saltwater aquarium.
Water and Salt Supplements
The first-and most important-saltwater fish tank supplies you'll need to set up your aquarium are the water and the salt. Tropical fishare very sensitive to water quality; therefore, it's always best to use bottled water whenever possible. Also, there are several specialty marine salts to choose from in order to ensure that you're maintaining the correct balance of nutrients and supplements.
Water Purifiers, Pumps and Filters are an important addition to your stash of saltwater fish tank supplies because keeping a clean and balanced environment is crucial to your tropical fish's well-being. There are several types of filters; be sure to keep an eye out for those brands which focus on removing nitrates, phosphates and ammonia. Water purifiers are usually optional, but can add an additional level of safety and comfort for your fish. And pumps, while required, come in a variety of sizes and functionalities; which model you choose will depend upon the size of your tank and your preference for affordability, effectiveness, and precision.
Testing Kits
In order to ensure that your aquarium's nutrient levels are operating within a safe environment for your fish, it's important to add a variety of testing kits to your arsenal of saltwater fish tank supplies. Again, there are several different brands to choose from, but what you'll want to look for are kits which test for pH levels, nitrates, and ammonia.
Heaters and Thermometers
Just as important to your saltwater aquarium fish is the temperature of the tank. Heaters come in non-submersible and submersible brands; which type of heater you choose depends on your individual tank set up. But the most important thing to keep in mind is that tropical fish require water temperatures to be between 22° and 24° Celsius in order to survive. Likewise, there are several different thermometers which you can add to your saltwater fish tank supplies: digital, hanging, floating, standing or stick-on. The choice is really up to you, based on your preference and your budget.
Food
Perhaps this goes without saying, but it's important to make sure that you have plenty of food on hand for your fish. Tropical fish need to be fed daily; make sure you do the appropriate research to find out what types of food your fish need to survive. Then, buy some extra quantities to keep on hand. Add it to your collection of saltwater fish tank supplies, so that you'll always have some available.
The Extras
While it's not necessary, it's often fun to have a variety of other accessories on hand. You may consider getting some fun accessory lighting for your aquarium. Many tropical fish owners also invest in several types of decorative reefs and plants that can be interchanged to suit your aquarium environment. Be creative. After all, your aquarium is only as fun as you, and your assortment of saltwater fish tank supplies, makes it.
