Numerous studies have shown that keeping an aquarium at home can help improve owners’ mental health and physical well being, as well as significant reductions in heart rate and blood pressure.

Perhaps you’ve been tempted by the many benefits of keeping fish, or perhaps you’ve been tempted after a visit to an aquarium. Either way, you will first need to know what you need to step up your aquarium, and we have all the info here:

 

Tank

You will need a tank between 50 to 500 litres to get started. A talk with a minimum size of 300 litres and 120cm in length is a good start for keeping fish such as Tang.

 

Light

For keeping live corals and anemones, you will need lighting. Look for high-powered and controllable LED lighting systems that mount to the rim of the tank. However, the bright light causes algae, so use a phosphate remover to starve algae.

 

Carbon

It is important to remove any impurities in the water to ensure the health of corals, so remember to change carbon filters every month.

 

Marine salt

Marine salt is rich in a variety of elements not found in ordinary salt, and it is needed to keep corals healthy. A refractometer will measure the salt quantity in reef aquariums, so you can ensure you have the right levels in your aquarium.

 

Heater

This is an essential piece of kit for the tank, so it is important to get the right device. The best units have a separate heater and controller. A thermometer will help you check the water is at the right temperature.

 

Wavemakers

Water is always in motion around coral reefs, and it brings food while also washing away waste, so ensure you have moving water in your tank.

 

Coral sand

The base of every marine aquarium. Add enough to obtain a thin layer, 3cm deep on the bottom of the tank. Vacuum regularly to keep it free of nutrients.

 

Net

You’ll need a net to catch fish, shrimp and debris. 

 

Biomedia

Biological media is necessary to break down ammonia and convert it into less harmful substances.

 

Bacteria

Kick start the system with a dose of bacteria. It’ll make it ready for fish. 

 

Algae magnet

Algae will build up on the glass daily, so wipe algae while keeping your hands dry by using an algae magnet. 

 

Return pump

A return pump sucks water through the filter and pumps it back into the main tank.

 

Auto top-up

Essential to all marine aquariums, especially open-topped ones, auto top-up units replace the freshwater lost through evaporation, keeping the salinity stable. As previously noted, stable salinity is crucial to a successful marine tank. 

 

Reverse osmosis water

Salt should be mixed into reverse osmosis water, which is very pure and free of impurities. Set up a unit at home to produce water for salt mixing and topping up evaporation.

If you’re looking for marine fish tank equipment for sale, then visit our website today, and for more tips on how to look after your marine aquarium.