Marine Aquarium

A marine aquarium is for keeping marine fish and plants. The keeping of marine fish goes back to Roman times. The Romans kept anemones in jars made out of Venetian glass.

Nowadays to keep a marine aquarium shouldn’t take real science but they are considered to be more difficult to keep than freshwater aquariums, and require slightly higher maintenance.

You might wonder why have a marine aquarium? But the answer is simple, Marine aquariums enable you to keep and breed a wide range of fish not usually available in freshwater aquariums, and also by the vivid colors of the marine fish.

A marine aquarium is not that difficult to keep

Water is the most important factor in having a successful marine aquarium. Marine water parameters are different from freshwater. The saltwater that you put in your marine aquarium has to be prepared; you can’t just take the water from the sea or ocean, as it is full of micro-organisms that could kill your aquarium fish. The water salinity must be perfect for the fish, otherwise they won’t survive.

Marine fish are very sensitive to environmental changes, and could die if the temperature is unstable. It is recommended that before you set up the aquarium you invest in a test kit that allows you to keep track of water’s pH, alkalinity, water hardness, and ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels. The key to a successful marine aquarium is simply to keep the water’s parameters stable. You should also know that marine fish are happiest in big environments so try not to squeeze too many into a small aquarium.

Types of marine aquariums

Marine aquariums are sub-divided into aquariums with fish only (FO), fish only with live rocks, and aquariums with reef aquaria.

Live rocks are composed of limestone and decomposing coral skeleton, the Rocks themselves are not actually alive, but there are microorganisms that live on them are. Live rock can house bacteria, tiny organisms, snails, sea urchin, and sea sponges. When you set up the aquarium they may not reveal themselves, but should appear within a few of being introduced to their new environment. Live rocks are used to recreate the fish’s habitat and are very useful in cleaning the water.

Reef aquaria are made up of many types of coral and reef invertebrates, and also recreate the fish’s natural environment.

Good Luck with the setting up of your marine aquarium.