Marine AquariaMarine Aquaria

Set-up and maintaining aSet-up and maintaining aSalt Water Fish TankSalt Water Fish Tank

AquariaAquaria

People have been trying to keep fishes as People have been trying to keep fishes as pets for centuriespets for centuries

Most people keep fresh water fishes. They Most people keep fresh water fishes. They say “they are easier to take care of.”say “they are easier to take care of.”

An aquarium is not “a little piece of the sea An aquarium is not “a little piece of the sea transplanted” or “a miniature ocean”transplanted” or “a miniature ocean”

Oceans are very stable in terms of Oceans are very stable in terms of temperature, pH, chemical ions etc.temperature, pH, chemical ions etc.

Most marine organisms are very sensitive to Most marine organisms are very sensitive to change change

Aquaria TypesAquaria Types

All glass onlyAll glass only Place on flat, sturdy surfacePlace on flat, sturdy surface Not near radiator or other heat sourceNot near radiator or other heat source Once filled (even ¼ full), DO NOT MOVE!Once filled (even ¼ full), DO NOT MOVE!

NitrogenNitrogen

NitrogenNitrogen Starts out as ammoniaStarts out as ammonia

– Major waste of most aquatic animalsMajor waste of most aquatic animals Nitrifiers – bacteria – convert ammonia to nitrite Nitrifiers – bacteria – convert ammonia to nitrite

then to “non-toxic” nitratethen to “non-toxic” nitrate The bacteria are found on aquarium walls and on The bacteria are found on aquarium walls and on

the gravel surfacethe gravel surface Undergravel filters make use of these bacteriaUndergravel filters make use of these bacteria Nitrate – 20 ppm is ideal, but up to 200 ppm is OKNitrate – 20 ppm is ideal, but up to 200 ppm is OK

pHpH

pHpH Ocean pH ranges from 8.4 – 7.5Ocean pH ranges from 8.4 – 7.5 typically 8.2 – 8.4typically 8.2 – 8.4 Aquariums tend to lower pHAquariums tend to lower pH pH of 8.1 – 8.3 is OK for an aquariumpH of 8.1 – 8.3 is OK for an aquarium

pHpH

can be changed by several factorscan be changed by several factors– respiration of animals in the tankrespiration of animals in the tank– effect of accumulated nitrate ionseffect of accumulated nitrate ions– oxidation of wastesoxidation of wastes

can be buffered by addition of calcium can be buffered by addition of calcium carbonatecarbonate

Calcareous gravel – dolomite, oyster shellsCalcareous gravel – dolomite, oyster shells

PhosphatesPhosphates

Decomposing metabolic wastesDecomposing metabolic wastes Uneaten foodUneaten food Dead plants and animalsDead plants and animals ToxicToxic

Organic MaterialOrganic Material

WastesWastes Uneaten foodUneaten food Aquariums take on a yellow color of the Aquariums take on a yellow color of the

waterwater

Feeding:Feeding:

do not overfeeddo not overfeed better to underfeed than overfeedbetter to underfeed than overfeed excess food – decreases oxygen, clouds excess food – decreases oxygen, clouds

tanktank brine shrimp are a good idea (Turn off filter brine shrimp are a good idea (Turn off filter

for a couple hours when feeding fish with for a couple hours when feeding fish with brine shrimp)brine shrimp)

Don’t be in a big rush to add animals to the Don’t be in a big rush to add animals to the tank. It must be set up and ready.tank. It must be set up and ready.

Add only a few animals at first then wait.Add only a few animals at first then wait. Don’t overcrowd the tank.Don’t overcrowd the tank.

FiltersFilters

3 Types:3 Types:– MechanicalMechanical

Takes particles out of the water – most common – Takes particles out of the water – most common – power filter with “floss”power filter with “floss”

– BiologicalBiological Undergravel FilterUndergravel Filter ““Bio-Wheels”Bio-Wheels”

– ChemicalChemical Protein ScrubberProtein Scrubber CharcoalCharcoal

Substrate:Substrate:

GravelGravel Oyster shells, dolomite (helps buffer pH)Oyster shells, dolomite (helps buffer pH) Wash the gravel prior to putting it in the tankWash the gravel prior to putting it in the tank

Cleaning filterCleaning filter none required with undergravelnone required with undergravel Change others when filter floss becomes Change others when filter floss becomes

darkdark Cleaning the sides of the aquariumCleaning the sides of the aquarium

Run-InRun-In It is necessary to establish a “biological filter” in It is necessary to establish a “biological filter” in

the form of nitrifying bacteriathe form of nitrifying bacteria they settle on the surface of the filtrant and begin they settle on the surface of the filtrant and begin

to multiplyto multiply to get the nitrifiers, you add one or two “hardy” to get the nitrifiers, you add one or two “hardy”

marine animals and then wait 12 – 15 daysmarine animals and then wait 12 – 15 days Now you can stock the aquariumNow you can stock the aquarium NOTE: Just setting up an aquarium and letting it NOTE: Just setting up an aquarium and letting it

run for 12-15 days will not do it. You need to add run for 12-15 days will not do it. You need to add animals first. animals first.

DecorationsDecorations Looks good & provides place for animals to Looks good & provides place for animals to

hide inhide in Coral, shells, rocks, etc. Coral, shells, rocks, etc. Wash firstWash first NO METALNO METAL

Water:Water:

Two Choices:Two Choices: Filtered sea water or artificial sea salts and Filtered sea water or artificial sea salts and

fresh waterfresh water Why use one instead of the other?Why use one instead of the other? Fill to about one inch from topFill to about one inch from top Mark with magic marker or wax pencil level Mark with magic marker or wax pencil level

of water – Why?of water – Why?

Heater?Heater?

If tropical fish are to be kept, use a heaterIf tropical fish are to be kept, use a heater Most cold water marine animals do fine Most cold water marine animals do fine

without a heater or cooling without a heater or cooling

Organism very difficult to keep include:Organism very difficult to keep include:– AlgaeAlgae– PlantsPlants– SpongesSponges– SquidSquid– snapper bluefishsnapper bluefish– sea robinsea robin– HerringHerring– MenhadenMenhaden– SilversidesSilversides

Clams, mussels, oysters are not a good idea eitherClams, mussels, oysters are not a good idea either

Aquarium scrubber, magnets, scrapperAquarium scrubber, magnets, scrapper Most marine animals can adapt to gradual Most marine animals can adapt to gradual

changes in water, but not rapid changeschanges in water, but not rapid changes Discuss how aquaria are made – glass, Discuss how aquaria are made – glass,

fiberglass shell with wood, lookdown, etc…fiberglass shell with wood, lookdown, etc…

RangesRanges

Salinity ideal is 1.021 – 1.023 specific Salinity ideal is 1.021 – 1.023 specific gravity (29-32 psu)gravity (29-32 psu)

DO – 5 ppm minimumDO – 5 ppm minimum Temp – 10º - 18ºC (50º-65ºF)Temp – 10º - 18ºC (50º-65ºF) Nitrate – 20 ppm is ideal, but up to 200 ppm Nitrate – 20 ppm is ideal, but up to 200 ppm

is OKis OK pH should be 8.1 – 8.3pH should be 8.1 – 8.3