Saltwater fish equipment #1- Tank
A fish tank can either be made of acrylic or glass. Acrylic is sturdier than glass and is impervious to breaking. It is also lighter than glass but is easily scraped. And fish tanks made in acrylic can have an unconventional shape. Glass, on the other hand, is less expensive than acrylic. The panes on a glass fish tank are bonded together by silicone and are scratch resistant. The drawback of glass made fish tank is that it’s easy to be shattered and tends to be heavy.

A fish tank can scale from the smallest glass bowl which is used in fresh water to a humongous one that is commonly used at zoos. But if you plan to buy a fish tank, remember that ‘the bigger, the better’. A huge fish tank is lower maintenance than the smaller tank. Also be aware of the space you have at home and the quality of the floor where you’ll place the fish tank.

Saltwater fish equipment #2- Stand
Generally, if you buy a fish tank you also need to buy its stand. Because of the combine weight of the tank and the water in it, the stand you need to choose should be well-made, durable and parallel with the ground. It is best to purchase an acrylic or wood stand other than metal or iron stands for saltwater because there’s a big possibility of rusting with metal or iron stands. You can find a wide variety of fish tank stand in the market so it’s much easier for you to buy than build your own. After all, stand makers also make the conscious effort to build it like a cabinet for storage. But if you are a good at working with wood you can make your own. Just make sure when you do that it is level or you could cause your tank to crack and no one wants that to happen.

Saltwater fish equipment #3-Substrate
Substrate is really recommended by experts to use in saltwater fish tanks. For artistic appeal, you can use substrates like the shell grit, crushed marble, mashed coral skeletons and finely pounded limestone. Coral sand is also considered to be a good substrate since some species enjoy burying themselves in the sand. There are people that run their tanks with bare bottom instead of substrate. So it will all depend on what you like and what filtration system you will be using. 

Saltwater fish equipment #4-Heater
To obtain a consistent temperature for your fishes you need to have a heater. Heaters for fish tank are fairly cheap so you don’t really have to worry about it. Make sure that the heater you’re purchasing has a thermostat which is a heating element in the heater that allows you to control the temperature of the water.

Saltwater fish equipment #5-Filter
Chemical, mechanical and biological are the three forms of filtration in fish tanks. Chemical filtration is the use of the carbon that is activated to eliminate the already dissolved organic compounds in your aquarium. Mechanical filtration sifts strains and then removes the litter in your tank. Biological filtration is also called as ‘nitrification’. However, the most commonly used filtration is the combination of the mechanical and biological system.

Saltwater fish equipment #6- Lighting
Lighting is not only about beautifying your fish tank but also plays a vital role in the survival of the saltwater fishes in your tank. If your tank is simple and only contains fishes then there’s no need for a special light. Otherwise, a special lighting is required because some species won’t last on normal lighting. You can ask for assistance at your local pet shop to know the correct lighting for your tank.

Tags: Saltwater Fish Equipment