Freshwater and Saltwater Aquariums

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Freshwater and Saltwater Aquariums

• By Jenessa Gjeltema

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Choose Your Aquarium Type
The specific aquarium setup will depend upon the
requirements of the species you choose.
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Choose Your Aquarium Type
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Choose Your Aquarium Type
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Choose Your Aquarium Type
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Basic Needs

• Appropriate enclosure/housing
• Nutrition
• Hygiene
• Enrichment

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Enclosure Components

• Tank
• Stand/Canopy
• Lid/condenser
• Lights
• Temperature Control

• Environmental Enrichment
• Filtration
• Location
• Water Quality

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Enclosure Components Tank

• Consider
• Size
• Shape
• Materials
• Convenience
• Aesthetics

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Enclosure Components Tank
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Enclosure Components Lid/Condenser

• Why?
• Keeps fish from jumping out
• Prevents evaporation
• Protects lights

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Enclosure Components Lighting

• Why?
• Plant Growth
• Coral Growth
• Visualizing the Fish
• Fish health

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Enclosure Components Lighting

• Considerations
• Fixtures
• Ballast
• Wavelength
• Light Intensity
• Reflectors
• Photoperiod (12 hours)

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Enclosure Components Temperature Regulation

• How?
• Heaters
• Chillers
• Fans
• Ventilation

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Enclosure Components Environmental Enrichment

• Why?
• Evasion
• Breeding
• Quality of life
• Express Personality

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Enclosure Components Environmental Enrichment

• Types
• Wood
• Rocks
• Substrate
• Plants

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Enclosure Components Plants

• Why?
• Oxygenation
• Waste removal
• Protection

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Filtration Systems
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Filtration Systems

• Considerations
• Tank size
• Stocking capacity
• Water flow
• Breeding
• Aeration

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Filtration Systems
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Filtration Systems
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Filtration Systems
Protein Skimmer Removes organic material from
marine systems
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Filtration Systems

• Underground filter biological and mechanical

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Enclosure Components Location

• Avoid
• windows/direct sunlight
• drafty doors or fireplaces
• vibrations/sharp noises

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Water Composition Water Testing
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Water Composition Stock Water

• Know what is in your stock water
• Test periodically
• Alternatives available
• Test for
• Chlorines
• Copper
• pH
• Hardness

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Water Composition Testing

• Fresh Water
• pH
• Ammonia
• Nitrite
• Nitrate

• Salt Water
• Salinity

• Other
• Phosphate
• Calcium
• Strontium

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Water Quality Nitrogen Cycle
badmanstropicalfish.com (originally from
www.hagen.com)
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Water Quality Nitrogen Cycle
www.cichlid-forum.com
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Water Quality Cycling A New Tank

• Purpose grow bacteria for nitrogen cycle
• Takes 4-6 weeks
• Tips
• Seed the tank
• Monitor values closely
• Avoid water changes
• Can achieve without fish

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Water Changes

• Why?
• Dilutes waste products
• Corrects pH imbalances
• Can reduce algae growth

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Performing Water Changes

• Regular water changes
• 2 every 2 days
• 4 every week
• 20 a month

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Adding Fish Acclimation

• Temperature
• Water composition
• Environmental factors
• How
• 15-30 min. for temperature
• 15 minutes for water composition

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Nutrition
Dry Flakes Pellets Sticks Floating Sinking Wafers
Seaweed
Live/Frozen Blood Worms Daphnia Brine
Shrimp Feeder fish Plants
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Nutrition

• Know your fish
• Observe mouth
• Use dry food as staple
• Supplement with fresh/frozen foods
• Do not overfeed

Picture from Jeremy Gays The Perfect Aquarium
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Maintenance

• Daily
• Feed
• Monitor
• Lighting

Weekly Replace evaporation Water testing Clean
algae Empty protein skimmer
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Maintenance

• Monthly
• Charcoal replacement
• Plant maintenance
• Electrical Inspection

6 mos. To Yearly Change light bulbs
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Additional Considerations

• Personal Safety
• Euthanasia
• Environmental Impact
• Veterinary Care

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References

• Axelrod, 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 Readers Digest. 2005.
• Hawkins, A.D. Aquarium Systems. London
  Academic Press. 1981

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References

• Hemdal, Jay F. Aquarium Fish Breeding. New
  York Barrons. 2003.
• Hiscock, Peter. Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants.
  New York Barrons. 2003
• Sandford, Gina. The Tropical Aquarium. New
  York Barrons. 2004.
• Stoskopf, Michael. Fish Medicine. Philadelphia
  W.B. Sauders Co. 1993.
• Tullock, John. Water Chemistry for the Marine
  Aquarium. New York Barrons. 2002.

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Special Thank You to

• Fish World
• and
• Aqua Pros

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Thank You! Questions?
If you would like to learn more about fish (as
well as coral and amphibian) husbandry, please
contact me at jlgjelte_at_ncsu.edu. I can help you
get some hands-on experience!