Why are saltwater fish harder to look after than freshwater fish?
• Saltwater fish are harder to look after than freshwater fish because of the environment that they come from. Saltwater fish mainly come from the ocean, which takes up about 71% of the Earth’s surface area and is therefore the most stable environment in the world. So the creatures that inhabit that environment are not able to cope with fluctuation. Freshwater fish come from lakes and rivers that are comparatively tiny next to the ocean and can experience large seasonal fluctuations. The fact that they can naturally handle fluctuation makes freshwater fish easier to keep in a miniature environment such as a fish tank.
• The key to keeping saltwater fish is to ensure the water stays as stable as possible. To do this, better filters and knowledge of water quality levels is required.
• The bigger the water volume in the tank, the more ability you have to control what occurs in your tank, and so the easier it is to look after.
• Do remember that an aquarium is not a machine so not everything goes to plan.

The key to success in any aquarium is adequate equipment and access to information.

Why are tropical reef fish the most colorful fish?
Saltwater reef fish have evolved to be very colourful so they are able to camouflage amongst the brightly coloured live corals.

Why do saltwater fish seem to be a lot easier to keep now than they were early on?
• The amount of equipment and information available to us now has strongly progressed.
• Another key factor is that reliable aquarium retailers now rarely sell fish that are drug caught.

Is it damaging to the reefs for us to keep marine tanks?
• In my opinion it is not damaging because it does enhance appreciation, awareness, understanding and knowledge about what we should be trying to protect!
• There are collection points where all of the fish and invertebrates come from. These areas in total only amount to less then 1% of the world`s total reefs.
• More marine life is killed by dynamite fishing in Indonesia than what the total world’s aquarium trade uses.
• I have no moral problem keeping marine animals as long as we try to offer them the best chance we are able to, to ensure our animals are as happy as possible.
• Marine reefs have an unbelievable ability to renew themselves as they are subject to natural predators and disasters.
• As long as collection is monitored and carried out responsibly the hobby will only make a tiny impact on this natural resource.
• Farm-raised corals, clams and fish are becoming more common, and so try to purchase them when ever possible over the wild caught specimens.
• Avoid at all costs dynamite or drug caught fish.

Can you breed saltwater fish?
• Yes, saltwater fish such as damsels, dottybacks and clowns are breed fairly commonly in aquariums.
• The hard bit about it is raising the young, as the babies feed on microscopic organisms that are difficult to cultivate in captivity.
• The only chance you have of raising the young is to do daily water changes with natural seawater that contains the organisms.

Can fish see in colour?
Yes, they have very developed eyesight.

Can fish smell?
Yes, fish have a strong sense of smell that allows them to locate food.

Can fish hear?
• Yes, fish have very good hearing it allows them to detect danger, locate prey and communicate.
• Fish use their lateral line to navigate with a sonar system.

How do you measure a fish?
• A fish must be measured from the tip of its nose to the start of its tail (don’t include the tail, because some fish have very long tails).
• A way to measure a fish is to catch it in a net and lay the net on the front glass inside the tank, with one hand on the net and your other hand to push the fish flat against the glass. Then use a ruler with the hand you are using to hold the net.
• You should rarely have to measure a fish (maybe only if you have to advertise and sell it) as it can be quite stressful for the fish.

How long do fish live?
• 12-15 years is a good average lifespan for most fish in an aquarium.
• The length of time a fish lives is governed by the amount of stress it suffers during its life.

What happens if there is a blackout / power failure?
• A battery-powered air pump is a lifesaver in this situation as oxygen is the most important consideration under these conditions.
• If you are concerned about the tank temperature, place several blankets over the tank to retain heat. If it has already lost heat place bottles of boiling water in the tank.
• If you have access to a generator do so.

What do I do if I have to use insect spray in the room with a tank in it?
• First cover the tank and any open filters such as mini reefs securely with blankets.
• Also place any air pumps on top of the tank under the blanket so it can’t pump the poisoned air into the tank.
• It is better not to smoke or spray aerosol around your reef tank without at least taking these precautions.

SHOULD I GET A REEF TANK OR A FISH ONLY TANK?

How hard is it to keep a reef tank?
• There are two keys to successfully keep any aquarium. ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT and ACCESS TO INFORMATION.
• As long as you get the right equipment and information to control the environment you are creating, any tank should not be hard to keep.
• With the equipment and information available to us now a reef tank is really not that hard to keep.
• Many people are under the impression that a reef tank is almost impossible to keep. This is usually because they have attempted to do it without the right equipment and information.
• There are many different ways of setting up a reef tank and some are more successful than other ways. So you may have to weigh up possible success with possible expense.
• It can be dangerous to chop and change a bit of one method with a bit of another because each component relies on certain things to be functioning a particular way to be successful.
• Maintenance is more rewarding and enjoyable if it is done regularly, so it doesn’t escalate into a major chore.

How hard is it to keep a saltwater fish only tank?
• If you have adequate equipment and information it is not hard to keep.
• Don’t be under the impression that it is a lot easier than a reef tank because this is not always true. You have more ability to stabilise a reef tank because of the reefs ability to consume organic waste and provide food. I find I have more success with most fish in a reef tank even though copper can be run in the fish only tank. The reef seems to create a more homely and natural environment for the fish that also looks better.

How hard is it to keep an invert only tank?
• A tank with only inverts is a lot easier than a reef tank, because the inverts produce far less waste so it is easier to maintain high water quality. An invert tank also tends to house more scavengers and waste-consuming organisms.
• An invert only tank can be easier than a fish only tank as long as you have the equipment and knowledge to run it effectively.
• The overall result is stunning though more subtle then a tank with bold fish.
• Invert only tanks with sea horses can look great and run well.

Is a saltwater fish only tank easier than a reef tank?
• A saltwater fish only tank is considered easier than a reef tank. This is true because you have less to keep an eye on (there are no inverts) and the copper you are able to put in the water can help stop the fish from getting sick.
• On the other hand a fish only saltwater tank is harder to stabilise because the reef tank tends to have a lot more able to recycle nutrients e.g. with filter feeder and scavengers. A reef tank can be balanced to consume the waste it creates, to its advantage.
• In a saltwater fish tank the low-level waste builds up because there is little in the tank to consume it. This low-level waste is dispersed when you do a water change. The building up and dispersal of low-level waste is a fluctuation. Fluctuation causes stress and that is what we are trying to minimize.
• If you run the tank without copper you can put live rock and/or live sand in it in order to stabilise it.
• If you are only interested in colourful fish and don’t want live coral I suggest you check out the freshwater African Cichlids before you set up a saltwater fish only tank.

Can I try any invertebrates in a tank that is essentially fish only?
• If you have selected a fish only tank because the fish that you prefer are not compatible in a reef tank, you can try some invertebrates that the fish are less likely to eat. Some corals have toxic terpenes that protect them e.g. Sea Anemones, some soft coral like Leather Corals.
• Different fish seem to pick on different corals so if you try a small piece that gets eaten don’t replace that particular piece with the same species.
• If you don’t want the hassle of providing very low nutrient water you can try adding corals that live in high nutrient environments such as Catalalphyillia and Galaxea.
• Leather corals, anemones, algae can handle more nutrients than stony corals.
• Some lobsters, shrimp and crabs, hermit crabs are fine as long as the fish are not predatorily and likely to eat them or unless the fish are too small and may get eaten by them.

QUESTIONS ON SETTING UP SALTWATER TANKS

What size tank do I need?
• The larger the water volume in the aquarium the more stable the environment, therefore the more ability you will have to control it.
• I have seen some successful small reef tanks (2ft) but I advise against them. By the time you purchase all the equipment to set it up you may as well have a bigger one. Water changes and low stock can be the make or break of small tanks.
• Any extra water you can add to the system helps e.g. an extra barrel containing water hooked up to the main system.

Where should I place the aquarium?
• They are best in a place with as little direct sunlight as possible to help control algae and temperature.
• In the most cool place possible to minimize temperature fluctuation in summer.
• Try to avoid it being in a strong draft.
• Place the tank were it will be regularly and easily viewed but best not in the hallway.
• When designing a tank ensure that all service areas are easily accessible because the harder something is to access the less likely you will be to service it regularly.
• Try to position the tank away from banging doors.

How high should I fill up the tank?
• Fill the tank up 2-3cm from the top to avoid surface spray and prevent fish from jumping out though gaps.
• 5cm if you have no lids.

Is there any problem placing your hand into the tank?
• Placing clean hands into a tank creates no major problems though it is important that your hands are free of any detergents or perfumes.
• Every time you put your hands in the tank the acids, oils and fats from your skin affects the equilibrium of the water. Your may notice that the skimmer will cease to froth; this is as a result of the fatty acids from your skin.
• Try to avoid rearranging anything in a reef tank unless in is necessary.
• An aquarium will never become established if you are constantly rearranging the tank.

Should you wear gloves while your hands are in the tank water?
• I would only recommend this if your skin gets an allergic reaction to the live corals.
• I don’t tend to wear gloves because I am afraid to damage the living corals as a result of the lack of control you have wearing bulky gloves.

By Paul Talbot