How To Start A Salt Water Fish Tank

If you want a great attraction in your living room, or an animal that won't be all over your house, learning how to start a salt water fish tank is imperative. There is nothing cooler than bringing the treasures of the ocean to the middle of your living room. It's also great to show off some marine wildlife to your friends without putting in danger of a sharks crushing jaws.

To start a salt water fish tank, you will need:

• A large fish tank(36 by 15 by 12, or larger)
• Filtration System
• Heater
• Thermometer
• Tank cover and stand
• Gravel vacuum
• Saltwater mix
• Hydrometer
• Mixing Spoon
• Aquascape
• Shelter for fish
• Marine fish
• Lighting system
• Substrate

Steps

1. Get a large fish tank. To start a salt water fish tank you have to have a fish tank of at least 36 by 15 by 12 dimensions, and preferably equipped with a stand and cover so you don't have to buy them separate. This is important because most tropical fish need a large environment to prosper.
2. Choose where to put your stand. You will need to put your salt water fish tank near an electrical outlet because a lot of your equipment will require to be plugged in. If you don't have a lighting system with your salt water fish tank make sure you place your aquarium close to a source of light.
3. Add in your extra equipment. Install your filter, heater, thermometer, and any lighting equipment you have into your salt water fish tank. Make sure you read your instructions on all of your equipment since most tanks and parts are a little different. Do not plug anything into the electrical outlets yet.
4. Do a wet test. Fill the tank with normal water and plug in all the equipment. Take the next two days to monitor your tank and equipment for any possible leaks. Check the temperature to make sure it is maintaining a heat in between 78 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Also check to make sure the filter is working.
5. Empty the tank. This is where the gravel vacuum can come in handy. Without it you can empty the tank by yourself, but the vacuum makes it easier. Make sure the tank is completely empty  before moving to next step.
6. Mix salt water. You can get salt water mixes at your local store. Turn off all of your equipment. Read the instructions on the container of mix and then stir the appropriate amount of tap water with the mix in a container. Stir until the particles dissolve and then pour into your salt water fish tank.
7. Test the salt water for the salt content. Use your hydrometer to test the density of salt throughout the tank to make sure it is suitable for your fish. A reading between 1.020 and 1.023 is an acceptable level.
8. Add your substrate. Your substrate is what you are using to line the bottom of your fish tank. For a salt water fish tank crushed limestone or coral sand are good choices. Make sure the substrate covers the entire bottom  and make it even.
9. Add some Aquascape. You don't want your living room bare, and your fish won't want their living space empty and bland either. You can put different types of sea plants and man made shelters into your salt water fish tank, just make sure you anchor them down into your substrate so they stay in place.
10. Run a final test. Run your aquarium for a few days without fish measuring the heat and salt content occasionally. If it stays level where you want it to be, you can go ahead and start adding in fish.

Now that you have learned how to start a salt water fish tank, you can acquire an impressive collection of marine wildlife. It is recommended to add fish only a few at a time. It is also a good idea to quarantine the fish in a separate tank before adding them to make sure you don't spread an infectious disease that can wipe out your whole aquatic ecosystem.