Building an aquarium is something anyone can do. A quality aquarium, however, considers the specific needs of the fish and other aquatic creatures inhabiting it. Quality aquariums factor in the size and shape of the tank, the type of filtration system, the lighting, and even the placement of decorations, creating a comfortable and healthy environment for your fish.

When choosing an aquarium, the first thing to do is be sure to pick the appropriate size for the number and type of fish you plan to keep. A small tank might be cute, but your fish will be cramped and unhappy if it’s too small. Likewise, a large tank might be impressive, but your fish will suffer if it needs to be appropriately filtered and lit.

Your filtration system is one of the most critical aspects of aquarium health. It will keep the water clear and clean, and it will also help to oxygenate the water. Be sure to choose a filter that is sized appropriately for your tank and easy to maintain.

Lighting is another important element of your aquarium design. The light you use will determine how well your fish can see and affect their mood and behavior. Be sure to choose a bright light for your fish to see but not so bright that it bothers them.

Finally, when considering your aquarium design, be sure to think about the placement of decorations. While putting all of your rocks and plants in one corner might be tempting, this can stress out your fish. Instead, create a natural-looking environment by placing decorations in different areas of the tank. This will give your fish plenty of places to hide and explore and help keep them healthy and happy.

Dont’s When Building a Tank.

When setting up an aquarium, you’ll want to avoid a few things if you want your fish to stay healthy and happy. Here are four of the most common mistakes people make when designing their aquariums:

1. Not Planning Ahead

Common mistakes people make when setting up an aquarium is not planning. Before you go out and buy all the fish, equipment, and decorations for your new tank, take some time to plan what you want your aquarium to look like and what type of fish you want to keep. This will help you avoid impulsive purchases that could cost you more money in the long run.

2. Not Cycling Your Tank

Another mistake that novice aquarium owners make is not cycling their tank before adding fish. Cycling your tank means allowing the beneficial bacteria in your filter to build up so they can break down the waste produced by your fish. This process can take several weeks, so it’s important to be patient and wait to add fish until your tank is fully cycled.

3. Overfeeding Your Fish

Overfeeding your fish is the quickest ways to create a dirty, unhealthy aquarium. Fish only need a small amount of food each day, so be sure to give them only what they can eat in a few minutes. It’s also important to remove any uneaten food from the tank, so it doesn’t decompose and pollute the water.

4. Not Cleaning Your Tank Regularly

Another mistake leading to a dirty, unhealthy aquarium is not cleaning your tank regularly. It would be best to do a partial water change (about 20%) once a week and a complete gravel vacuum at least once a month. According to the manufacturer’s directions, it would be best if you also cleaned any equipment, such as filters and pumps. Following these simple tips can avoid common mistakes leading to an unhealthy aquarium.

If you already have an aquarium that is not functioning correctly, we can help you troubleshoot the problem and get your tank back up and running. We offer advice on choosing the right fish for your tank or keeping your tank clean.

OCD Reefs provides a clean and professional environment where saltwater enthusiasts can feed their obsession. We offer high-quality saltwater aquarium installation and maintenance at a competitive price. Our store in Salt Lake City provides saltwater fish, coral, and aquarium supplies. With over 25 years of combined industry experience, we have built our business on honesty, reliability, and passion. We’re not here to make the sale. We are here to create a long-term relationship and earn your business. We believe in the value of customer relationships and will not stop working until the job is done. We are here to help you fuel your passion; stop by our store in Salt Lake City or give us a call to learn more.

Maintaining a saltwater fish tank can often be viewed as a tedious and time-draining activity or chore. Saltwater fish tanks take time and dedication, but the rewards and enjoyment they offer outweighs the effort owners put into their tanks. We hope this article provides all hobbyists and non-hobbyists with the information needed to maintain their aquariums without spending huge amounts of time on aquarium maintenance.

The Basics to Saltwater Tank Upkeep

Different tasks need to be taken in daily, weekly, and monthly timeframes to maintain your saltwater tank. The tasks might seem daunting, but by the time you get all the tasks down, you will find that 15 to 30 minutes will be all you need to perform all these tasks daily.

Daily Tasks

Daily, you would feed your tank’s inhabitants (once in the morning and at night), but also make sure to clean the glass of your tank from algae using an algae cleaning magnet. Depending on where you live, the water in your tank might be lowering daily because of evaporation, so keep track of that and replace the lost water. What we like to do as well is to wipe and clean the outside of the protein skimmer to boost its efficiency and prevent it from getting gunked up with waste.

Weekly Tasks

Test the water levels using a high-quality and consistent kit to ensure the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate levels are correct. (include calcium and alkalinity if you own coral) You also want to remove, empty, clean, and replace your protein skimmer.

Monthly Tasks

You will notice salt and calcium deposits start to form outside the tank. Clean it, as it is not esthetically pleasing, by vigorously scrubbing it with a vinegar-soaked sponge. It will be an excellent habit to get into if you clean all your pumps, tubing, and overflow box thoroughly at this point as well.

Consistency and Dedication Make for Great Tanks.

The most time-consuming saltwater fish tank maintenance part is partial water replacement. This should be done every two weeks to a month, depending on the number of inhabitants in your tank and how much waste is produced. When doing this, make sure to only replace about 10% of the water in the tank, as you do not want to disrupt the tank’s inhabitants too much.

Other chores include constantly checking your bulbs and ensuring they are lighting in the correct spectrum and intensity. Replace if needed. This also applies to your pumps, protein skimmer, and all the piping in your saltwater fish tank.

Contact OCD Reefs with any Questions or Concerns.

As mentioned before, this information will provide you with a maintenance schedule. But it may take a considerably extended amount of time and effort depending on how many species are kept, what specific attention they may need, and the size and complexity of your system. Following this schedule and guidelines will allow you to maintain any marine aquarium and reef without spending countless hours daily. Being consistent is the ultimate secret so you can have a thriving marine and reef aquarium that you can be proud to show off.