Fish is one of the most popular pets in the world. In fact, they’re near the top of the popularity chart in the U.S.
Some of the most popular species include bettas, goldfish, angelfish, guppies, and mollies. Saltwater fish such as clownfish and bennies are popular as well. Keep in mind, however, that they can be trickier to take care of.
Thinking of starting a marine fish tank? Looking for some saltwater aquarium maintenance tips? If so, you’re on the right page. We’ll be going over everything that you need to know below.
So be sure to read till the end!
Saltwater vs Freshwater Aquariums
Saltwater aquariums are more work than freshwater aquariums. For one thing, marine fish are much more sensitive to changes in water quality (e.g. pH, salinity, temperature).
Not only that, but they require additional equipment, all of which have to be maintained regularly.
4 Saltwater Aquarium Maintenance Tips
There are several things that you have to do if you have a saltwater aquarium. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Change Your Water Weekly
It’s important to keep a regular water change schedule—this is especially true during the first few months when you’re cycling the tank.
How much water should you replace? Approximately 20%. Unlike freshwater aquariums, you’ll also have to heat the water with salt crystals beforehand.
2. Clean Your Pumps and Powerheads
Don’t forget to clean all of your pumps and powerheads. Generally speaking, you should do this every 3-6 months.
As for how, it’s best to soak them in a small amount of vinegar mixed with reverse osmosis water—that will help soften any hard deposits so that you can easily remove them.
3. Clean the Glass As Needed
It’s a good idea to clean the glass (both inside and outside) every couple of days or so. That way, you won’t have to worry about algae build-up.
For example, you can use a magnetic scrubber or scraper. If necessary, you can use a razor blade to get rid of any hard algae.
4. Inspect Your Filter Media
It doesn’t matter what kind of filter media you’re using, you should always inspect it regularly as part of your water change regimen.
Remember, water should always be allowed to flow freely through the media; there shouldn’t be any visible debris.
Tip: Never rinse your filter media with tap water—that will eliminate the beneficial bacteria. Instead, use the tank water that you’ve collected from your water change.
Maintaining Your Saltwater Aquarium
As you can see, there are a few things to consider when it comes to saltwater aquarium maintenance. If anything, that’s one of the reasons why marine fish tanks are generally not recommended for first-time fish owners.
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