If you’re interested in embellishing your place with a saltwater aquarium yet you’re new to this, this article might be of help. From installing the aquarium sump pump to how to set up a new tank with ease, we’ve got you covered.
Building your aquarium is not only easy if you follow the below-mentioned steps but it can turn out to be a pleasant activity. If you’re really into this, you can even build a glass aquarium yourself yet if you don’t want to go that far, you can easily set it up once you’ve bought all the required parts and accessories.
If the latter is your case, you might want to check out this post as we will go through all the steps you need to take to enjoy that aquarium you dream of and do all that at home.
Things you need for a saltwater aquarium
It’s important to gather everything you need to create a comfortable environment in which the fish can grow if you’ve chosen that a saltwater aquarium is what you want to have. Consider the amount of available space you have as well as the types of fish you want to house in your aquarium, since these considerations will help you select what to purchase.
Consequently, choose an aquarium size that will easily handle the fish you wish to purchase, then shop for the appropriate lighting, filtration system, sump pump, and heater to complete the setup. It is also important to consider the sort of aquarium and fish species you wish to keep in mind when deciding on a substrate and sea salts to use. Finally, purchase the livestock, corals, and plants that you desire for your aquarium.
Getting the aquarium ready
Once you have purchased all of the items necessary for an aquarium, you may proceed to the first phase of the installation process. Make certain that the aquarium stand is securely and properly installed, and that there is enough space for the equipment and accessories that will be added later.
After cleaning the tank with fresh water and a sponge or a soft cloth, it is time to install the tank backing. You can either paint the back wall in your chosen color or cover it with vinyl to make it look like a different room. After you’ve taken care of that, it’s time to put the sump pump and all of the accessories that came with it in the stand or cabinet that was provided. Instructions for using the sump pump should be included.
You should, however, install the sump and all of the equipment that comes with it, as well as the piping, beneath the aquarium.
After that, you should place the tank on the platform that you have constructed. Whether you decide to utilize a power strip or a light timer, now is the time to put them in place.
Installing the aquarium equipment
The installation of the filtration system is the following phase. As part of this procedure, you will need to remove and wash the pads that come with the filter assembly. Replace them in the filter, which should be mounted on the back wall of the tank after this has been done.
Keep in mind that the filter requires regular maintenance and, as a result, must be removed from time to time to ensure proper operation. Make certain that there is enough space between the wall and the tank so that it can be removed easily.
The tank or canister should have a portion of the filtration system installed on top of it. Don’t forget to take care of that as well as installing any protein skimmers that you may decide to utilize in the future. Continue with the installation of the powerheads you’ve purchased and place them in the approximate position that they were intended to be in.
You may only place them in their ultimate position after you have completed the installation of the decorations and rocks that you have chosen. In addition, the heater should be placed at this time. Once everything is in place, it is recommended that a wet test be performed to ensure that the system is functioning properly. Because this is a test, and there are no fish or plants at this time, you can use fresh water instead of salt water.
Check the system first, and tighten the hose connections again if necessary, before moving on to the next step. Fill the tank with fresh water, as well as the sump if you’ve decided to include one in your aquarium setup. Wipe the exterior of the tank with a clean cloth. Once the system has been run, you will be able to see if there are any leaks.
Connect the pumps to the power strip one at a time, checking the connections for leaks in between each one. Any leaks should be addressed immediately by shutting down the system, emptying the tank, making any necessary modifications, and testing the system again, just as you did the first time.
Adding substrate, sea salts, and aquascaping
Assuming that everything went smoothly during the previous procedures and that there are no leaks, you can proceed to the following step, which involves installing the substrate and sea salts. Always do your homework before purchasing these goods because they are more difficult to remove when the tank is full and the equipment is operational.
Remove a few liters of water from the sump and tank, and then unplug the system before you can begin adding sea salts to your tank. It is recommended that you pour them into the sump, if you want to use one, and then turn on the return pump in order to assist them dissolve more quickly.
If you have elected not to utilize a sump, you will be required to turn on the powerheads and filter that you have put in your tank. It is possible that you will need to add additional sea salts to get the correct salinity level. Test the salinity of the water and take appropriate action.
In addition to the sand, it is the time to add the water. For living sand, simply pour it into your tank and switch on the filtration system to clear the water, which may get hazy if the sand is not well cleaned. Use only non-living sand in your tank after thoroughly washing it with fresh water if that is what you choose to use. You will be able to get rid of any microscopic particles that it may have contained.
The next step is to embellish the tank with plants, stones, and other decorative elements. After you have placed them in the manner that you desire, you should turn on the filtration system, pump, and protein skimmer. It could take several hours or perhaps a day for the water to clear. Once that is completed, you can go to the next stage, which we will discuss below.
Adding the lighting system and the livestock
Because it may take several hours or even days for the water to clear, you may want to take advantage of this window of opportunity to install the lighting system. It should not be difficult for you to choose the aquarium lighting system that best suits your requirements now that there is a wide selection available on the market.
You might also consider purchasing a light timer to make it even easier for you to ensure that the fish get enough light and darkness during the day and night. As a result, you can be assured that the fish will receive the appropriate amount of light or darkness because such systems are designed to turn the lights on and off at specific times of the day.
When selecting a lighting system for your tank, you should take the contents of the tank into consideration. If you wish to include corals in your tank as well, you’ll need a reef tank lighting system because these units are specifically intended to fulfill the demands of corals, which are distinct from the needs of tank fish.
Lighting fixtures can be positioned either inside or on top of the tank’s hood depending on the application. After you’ve completed the installation, you should connect it to the light timer. Make certain that the timer is set appropriately for your requirements.
Even if you’ve followed all of these instructions, you’ll need to be patient before you can introduce fish and other species to your aquarium. It is necessary to populate the tank with helpful bacteria in order to make the environment more favorable for your cattle.
Before making a decision on how many fish to purchase, take the size of your tank into consideration. Consider adding beginner fish to your aquarium to provide the ammonia required for the bacteria to multiply and occupy the filter system. Never neglect to check that the fish you add to your aquarium are compatible with one another. In addition, acquiring snails is recommended because they will keep algae and garbage under control.
It is also advisable to introduce fish and other critters one at a time. If you are unsure about something, always read the instructions provided or get professional assistance.