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Like all major subjects about the marine aquarium hobby, setting up a system is full of new terminology, concepts, and controversy'¦ But don't become overwhelmed. Once you've gone through the learning of your options, and gathering of the necessary gear and materials, the actual set-up is simple, even fun! What are needed in these steps are patience, a plan, intelligent observation and actions, and more patience. Setting up a marine aquarium properly takes time, and your success with your set-up will closely parallel the care and time you have put into it's arrangement. A Plan: The What, How and When of Your System: What sort of marine aquarium do you want? There are many types'¦ Fish Only (FO), Fish Only With Live Rock (FOWLR), Fish and Invertebrates, and different types of Reefs. This progression of types involves more and different components and approaches to setting-up and a greater degree of sophistication, cost, and dedication on your part. Where will you place the system? It will be HEAVY (About ten pounds per gallon), and needs to be placed on a solid, planar, level base'¦ on strong flooring. The tank should be out of direct sunlight (to help control algae and reduce temperature fluctuation), slightly away from the wall (for access, gear), in an area where it can be best appreciated. When do you get to do what? Not only are the order of what parts you install important, there are standard events that you can/should anticipate happening in your system that tell you that "things" are progressing, and signal it's time to move ahead to your next step. After gathering your system's components together, testing them, assembling the tank, comes a "break in" period of a few days to weeks (depending on type of system, whether live rock is used'¦). Think about your plan, what you want, expect your system to do, where you're going to put it'¦deeply. It is obvious that the enjoyment, function and beauty of your system are determined by your plan and how well you execute it. Parts & Tools: In the brief space/time we have here, there's no way we can adequately cover all the particulars of what is involved specifically in putting different types of marine set-ups together, but let's cover the basics to give you an idea of what's involved. Think you've got everything you need? The basic tank, filters, plumbing, lights and hood'¦ salt mix, test kits for your set-up? How about a hydrometer to measure specific gravity? A thermometer to go along with your heater? There are many variations on what goes into a marine set-up, and many possible "extras" to make the initial set-up go easier'¦ not to mention ongoing maintenance. The tank itself should be large (a forty gallon is a good starter for marines, to give you flexibility, stability), flatter rather than a "show" (i.e. tall and narrow) model, and made of chemically inert materials'¦ typically glass and silicone, or acrylic. Should you have a top? Yes. To house your lighting and possibly more'¦ cut down on evaporation, and keep your livestock from launching themselves out of the system. Along with the top come considerations of lights, lighting'¦ Many FO systems get by on just enough types and amount of light for human appreciation'¦ more involved invertebrate to full-blown reef systems require intense, full-spectrum lighting. Filtration is a huge topic and a controversial one for marine set-ups'¦ You'll want to become knowledgeable about what's involved here to make your own mind up about options'¦ "Many roads lead to Rome" as you'll find out, with many detours and stop signs along the way. Tied in with filtration are the aspects of circulation and aeration. Practically speaking, saltwater aquariums can't have their water moved around too much. When in doubt, move your water! Substrates? Like gravel and sand? Some folks eschew their use in their marine systems, but a hard substrate bottom material can/will gain you many benefits, adjusting water quality, giving your livestock a place to be'¦ and they look nice. Here again, there are many options as to amount, types, size, and shapes available. Salt mix, a hydrometer to measure your water's specific gravity, test kits, a heater and thermometer, cleaning equipment (designated bucket, siphon/gravel-vacuum, sponges, scraper), a net, reference book(s)'¦ and more are all part of the marine aquarium set-up experience and beyond. Make your own checklists of "must have" gear and "options". The Importance of a Test Run: You now know what to do, and have all the parts and tools to do it? Not so fast. Take my best advice here and do a "dry" and "wet" run with assembling all the parts of your set-up, and running it with just freshwater in it for a day or two'¦ Much to discover here'¦ Missing parts, components, how all this stuff works together'¦ whether you really wanted to move the aquarium a little over or out'¦ before putting in your synthetic salt mix, gravel, and any living component. Trust me here'¦ and do take your time once the system is
"finally" together with your first seawater, and run it for a
good week before placing live rock (if you're using same), any
starter livestock. You and your new saltwater wet-pets will appreciate
it.
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