Salt Water Fish Tank Set Up

Your salt water aquarium set up should be optimized for the fish that will live inside, and there are five key elements that go into creating the perfect home for your new friends.

Tank Size

The tank size you choose will depend on how much space you have, how involved you want to be, and how much weight your floor can support. Aquariums are filled with water, after all, and water is heavy. Choosing a smaller tank such as a 20-gallon will be easier to maintain, but it will still weigh around 200 pounds. Comparatively, a larger 92-gallon tank will require more maintenance and weighs over 1000 pounds!

Saltwater

There are a couple of options here. Unless you live near an area with an unpolluted source of saltwater, most beginners are more likely to purchase premixed saltwater locally. This is the easiest method as the water will contain the same salt levels as those found in the ocean. However, if you truly want to DIY, you can purchase salt powder and mix it at home — but don’t use tap water! This method requires pollutants to be removed first using a filtration system such as reverse osmosis (RO).

Food

Depending on the fish you want to keep, you can feed them traditional pellets or flakes. Or, for a more substantial meal, frozen fish foods such as mini shrimp can be served to keep your fish happy and healthy. The important thing here is to not overfeed your fish as this will cause excess algae growth — this isn’t good for your fish and creates more work for you in terms of keeping your salt water aquarium set up clean.

Water Flow & Temperature

In the ocean, water is constantly moving and flowing, bringing waste particles to the surface. In a salt water fish tank set up, you’ll need to recreate this flow using a pump that circulates the water and replaces it when salt levels get too high. Most saltwater tanks should also be kept at a temperature of 25°C or 77°F in order to provide ideal living conditions for most of the fish you’re likely to keep. You can achieve your water flow and temperature targets by using a circulation pump and a simple aquarium water heater.

Filtration

Proper filtration removes fish waste and pollutants but also prevents algae growth. The most popular component of filtration equipment is a skimmer, but there are more advanced filtration options that will work to keep your tank healthy and clean. The use of an ultraviolet (UV) filter installed in line with your sediment and waste filter can ensure that the tank water is always free from harmful bacteria and other pollutants. These UV filters have sufficient flow rates to keep your salt water aquarium set up functioning properly.

Why Choose Aqua Ultraviolet for Your Salt Water Fish Tank Set Up?

UV light sterilizes harmful bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants in order to protect your fish. If you’re looking for tips on saltwater tank setup for beginners, using a UV filter is high up on the list as it will help you maintain your tank with less effort. At Aqua Ultraviolet, our UV filters are designed to function flawlessly with your existing or new setup and offer an affordable solution for advanced filtration. Check out our UV sterilizer options today and plan the perfect salt water aquarium set up for your home.