Freshwater and Saltwater Aquariums

By Jenessa Gjeltema

Choose Your Aquarium Type

C o ld w a te r

A g g ress ive C o m m u n ity

T ro p ica l

F re sh w a te r

R e e f T a nk F ish O n ly

S a ltw a te r B ra ck ish

A q u ariu m s

The specific aquarium setup will depend upon the requirements of the species you choose.

Choose Your Aquarium Type

Choose Your Aquarium Type

Choose Your Aquarium Type

Basic Needs

• Appropriate enclosure/housing

• Nutrition• Hygiene• Enrichment

Enclosure Components

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

Control

• Environmental Enrichment

• Filtration• Location• Water Quality

Enclosure Components: Tank

Consider:SizeShapeMaterialsConvenienceAesthetics

Enclosure Components: Tank

Enclosure Components: Lid/Condenser

Why?• Keeps fish from

jumping out• Prevents

evaporation• Protects lights

Enclosure Components: Lighting

Why?• Plant Growth• Coral Growth• Visualizing the

Fish• Fish health

Enclosure Components: Lighting

Considerations:FixturesBallastWavelengthLight IntensityReflectorsPhotoperiod (12 hours)

Enclosure Components: Temperature Regulation

How?• Heaters• Chillers• Fans• Ventilation

Enclosure Components: Environmental Enrichment

Why?• Evasion• Breeding• Quality of

life• Express

Personality

Enclosure Components: Environmental Enrichment

Types:• Wood• Rocks• Substrate• Plants

Enclosure Components: Plants

Why?• Oxygenatio

n• Waste

removal• Protection

Filtration SystemsFiltration:

Mechanical Biological Chemical

Types: Wool, sponge Ceramics, sponges, rocks(SURFACE AREA!!)

Charcoal, zeolite

Purpose: Remove large particulate waste

Removes fish waste products

Removes odors, discoloration, toxins, and some waste products

Filtration Systems

Considerations• Tank size• Stocking

capacity• Water flow• Breeding• Aeration

Filtration Systems

Filtration Systems

Filtration SystemsProtein Skimmer: Removes organic material from marine systems

Filtration Systems

Underground filter: biological and mechanical

Enclosure Components: Location

Avoid:• windows/direct

sunlight• drafty doors or

fireplaces• vibrations/sharp

noises

Water Composition: Water Testing

Water Composition: Stock Water• Know what is in your stock water• Test periodically• Alternatives available

Test for:• Chlorines• Copper• pH• Hardness

Water Composition: Testing

Fresh Water:• pH• Ammonia• Nitrite• Nitrate

Salt Water:• Salinity

Other:• Phosphate• Calcium• Strontium

Water Quality: Nitrogen Cycle

badmanstropicalfish.com (originally from www.hagen.com)

Water Quality: Nitrogen Cycle

www.cichlid-forum.com

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

Water Changes

Why?• Dilutes waste

products• Corrects pH

imbalances• Can reduce algae

growth

Performing Water Changes

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

Adding Fish: Acclimation

• Temperature• Water composition• Environmental factors

How:• 15-30 min. for temperature• 15 minutes for water

composition

NutritionDry:FlakesPelletsSticksFloatingSinkingWafersSeawee

d

Live/Frozen:Blood WormsDaphniaBrine ShrimpFeeder fishPlants

Nutrition

• Know your fish• Observe mouth• Use dry food as

staple• Supplement with

fresh/frozen foods• Do not overfeed

Picture from Jeremy Gay’s The Perfect Aquarium

Maintenance

Daily:FeedMonitorLighting

Weekly:Replace evaporationWater testingClean algaeEmpty protein

skimmer

Maintenance

Monthly:Charcoal

replacementPlant maintenanceElectrical Inspection

6 mos. To Yearly:Change light bulbs

Additional Considerations

Personal Safety

Euthanasia

Environmental Impact

Veterinary Care

ReferencesAxelrod, 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: Reader’s Digest. 2005.

Hawkins, A.D. Aquarium Systems. London: Academic Press. 1981

ReferencesHemdal, Jay F. Aquarium Fish Breeding. New York: Barron’s.

2003.

Hiscock, Peter. Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants. New York: Barron’s. 2003

Sandford, Gina. The Tropical Aquarium. New York: Barron’s. 2004.

Stoskopf, Michael. Fish Medicine. Philadelphia: W.B. Sauders Co. 1993.

Tullock, John. Water Chemistry for the Marine Aquarium. New York: Barron’s. 2002.

Special Thank You to:

Fish Worldand

Aqua Pros

Thank You! Questions?

If you would like to learn more about fish (as well as coral and amphibian) husbandry, please

contact me at jlgjelte@ncsu.edu.

I can help you get some hands-on experience!