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Freshwater and Saltwater Aquariums
By Jenessa Gjeltema
Choose Your Aquarium Type
C o ld w a te r
A g g ress ive C o m m u n ity
T ro p ica l
F re sh w a te r
R e e f T a nk F ish O n ly
S a ltw a ter B ra ck ish
A q u ariu m s
The specific aquarium setup will depend upon the requirements of the species you choose.
Choose Your Aquarium Type
Choose Your Aquarium Type
Choose Your Aquarium Type
Basic Needs• Appropriate
enclosure/housing• Nutrition• Hygiene• Enrichment
Enclosure Components
• Tank• Stand/Canopy• Lid/condenser• Lights• Temperature
Control
• Environmental Enrichment
• Filtration• Location• Water Quality
Enclosure Components: TankConsider:SizeShapeMaterialsConvenienceAesthetics
Enclosure Components: Tank
Enclosure Components: Lid/Condenser
Why?• Keeps fish from
jumping out• Prevents
evaporation• Protects lights
Enclosure Components: LightingWhy?• Plant Growth• Coral Growth• Visualizing the
Fish• Fish health
Enclosure Components: LightingConsiderations:FixturesBallastWavelengthLight IntensityReflectorsPhotoperiod (12 hours)
Enclosure Components: Temperature Regulation
How?• Heaters• Chillers• Fans• Ventilation
Enclosure Components: Environmental Enrichment
Why?• Evasion• Breeding• Quality of
life• Express
Personality
Enclosure Components: Environmental Enrichment
Types:• Wood• Rocks• Substrate• Plants
Enclosure Components: PlantsWhy?• Oxygenatio
n• Waste
removal• Protection
Filtration SystemsFiltration:
Mechanical Biological Chemical
Types: Wool, sponge Ceramics, sponges, rocks(SURFACE AREA!!)
Charcoal, zeolite
Purpose: Remove large particulate waste
Removes fish waste products
Removes odors, discoloration, toxins, and some waste products
Filtration SystemsConsiderations• Tank size• Stocking
capacity• Water flow• Breeding• Aeration
Filtration Systems
Filtration Systems
Filtration SystemsProtein Skimmer: Removes organic material from marine systems
Filtration Systems
Underground filter: biological and mechanical
Enclosure Components: LocationAvoid:• windows/direct
sunlight• drafty doors or
fireplaces• vibrations/sharp
noises
Water Composition: Water Testing
Water Composition: Stock Water• Know what is in your stock water• Test periodically• Alternatives available
Test for:• Chlorines• Copper• pH• Hardness
Water Composition: TestingFresh Water:• pH• Ammonia• Nitrite• Nitrate
Salt Water:• Salinity
Other:• Phosphate• Calcium• Strontium
Water Quality: Nitrogen Cycle
badmanstropicalfish.com (originally from www.hagen.com)
Water Quality: Nitrogen Cycle
www.cichlid-forum.com
Water Quality: Cycling A New TankPurpose: grow bacteria for nitrogen cycle• Takes 4-6 weeks
Tips:• “Seed” the tank• Monitor values closely• Avoid water changes• Can achieve without fish
Water Changes
Why?• Dilutes waste
products• Corrects pH
imbalances• Can reduce algae
growth
Performing Water Changes• Regular water changes• 2% every 2 days• 4% every week• 20% a month
Adding Fish: Acclimation• Temperature• Water composition• Environmental factors
How:• 15-30 min. for temperature• 15 minutes for water composition
NutritionDry:FlakesPelletsSticksFloatingSinkingWafersSeawee
d
Live/Frozen:Blood WormsDaphniaBrine ShrimpFeeder fishPlants
Nutrition• Know your fish• Observe mouth• Use dry food as
staple• Supplement with
fresh/frozen foods• Do not overfeed Picture from Jeremy Gay’s The
Perfect Aquarium
MaintenanceDaily:FeedMonitorLighting
Weekly:Replace evaporationWater testingClean algaeEmpty protein
skimmer
MaintenanceMonthly:Charcoal
replacementPlant maintenanceElectrical Inspection
6 mos. To Yearly:Change light bulbs
Additional ConsiderationsPersonal Safety
Euthanasia
Environmental Impact
Veterinary Care
ReferencesAxelrod, Herbert. Handbook of Tropical Aquarium Fishes. Neptune
City: TFH Publications. 1983.
Borneman, Eric. Aquarium Corals: Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History. Neptune City: T.H.F. Publications. 2001.
Fenner, Robert M. The Conscientious Marine Aquarist. Neptune city: T.F.H Publications. 2001.
Gay, Jeremy. The Perfect Aquarium: The Complete Guide to Setting Up and Maintaining an Aquarium. New York: Reader’s Digest. 2005.
Hawkins, A.D. Aquarium Systems. London: Academic Press. 1981
ReferencesHemdal, Jay F. Aquarium Fish Breeding. New York: Barron’s. 2003.
Hiscock, Peter. Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants. New York: Barron’s. 2003
Sandford, Gina. The Tropical Aquarium. New York: Barron’s. 2004.
Stoskopf, Michael. Fish Medicine. Philadelphia: W.B. Sauders Co. 1993.
Tullock, John. Water Chemistry for the Marine Aquarium. New York: Barron’s. 2002.
Special Thank You to:
Fish Worldand
Aqua Pros
Thank You! Questions?
If you would like to learn more about fish (as well as coral and amphibian) husbandry, please
contact me at jlgjelte@ncsu.edu.
I can help you get some hands-on experience!
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