Aquarium Tips for Tropical Fish
Creating and Caring for Coral Aquariums
Most aquarium owners who have caught the fish keeping bug at some time or another see a wonderful saltwater tank displaying different types of coral and wish they could have the same. Well it may not be as hard as they think. It can be achieved quite easily and fast if you purchase a coral starter kit to for growing your own coral. The benefit of growing your own coral is that it will be acclimated to your tank and is recommended over going to an aquatic store and buying coral. Before you start setting up your coral aquarium or reef aquariums you require some basic knowledge. Many people tend to buy fake coral because there are certain steps you need to take when setting up your coral aquarium and it can take a long time to do. This will seem quite insignificant and well worth the effort when you eventually are able to say you have grown your own coral aquarium. This underwater paradise can be created in about twelve weeks once you follow the simple steps required.
Start by planning where you would like your new coral aquarium to be displayed and then assemble it from your aquarium kit. You need to follow the same setup that you would with a normal tropical fish aquarium to start with. Next add sand to the bottom of the tank. Add water that has been de-chlorinated. Next step is to add salt and mix it through the water. You will then need to measure the specific gravity of the water and keep adding salt until your specific gravity is 1.205. With your coral kit should be some live rock. Arrange this in the aquarium in the places you desire it to be. Install the heater and the lid of the tank. That’s it for now; you must now leave it as is for the next four weeks before progressing further.
When your four weeks are up you can then introduce creatures to your tank. Notice I said creatures and not fish. You should place things like crabs and snails into the tank if this is what you require to keep. Fish can be introduces later but you must keep an eye on the amount of salt in the tank and keep the specific gravity, it should stay the same. The tank should be functioning correctly the same as if it was full of fish and also add a protein skimmer. Make sure the lighting is correct and the filters are working correctly. If you are not sure ask an expert at your local aquatic pet store. After adding your creatures you will have to wait a further two weeks, during this time do not leave any lighting on for more than say ten to twelve hours as it could possibly promote the growth of algae.
After the further two weeks is up start adding you first coral pieces. When adding your coral you should ensure you have attached it to the living rock on the bottom of your fish tank. The saltwater aquarium has many types of coral and the choice is whatever you decide. Some typical and common corals include Yellow Polyp, Bullseye Mushroom Coral, Button Polyp, and Hairy Mushroom Coral. The next step is to wait a further two weeks. If you are not frustrated by now, all well and good. It is now week eight and you can now add some of the other varieties of coral called Aquacultured coral. This includes such types as Starburst Coral Spaghetti Finger Leather coral and Pumping Xenia Coral. They should also be placed into the live rock the same as your pervious corals.
This is all the steps to setting up your coral or reef aquarium. At the ten to twelve week mark you can also begin adding fish which will also enhance your underwater world. Still make sure the specific gravity is correct. Keep adding your fish until you have the desired and the correct amount you need for your spectacular visual reef aquarium. You will probably have a wonderful sense of achievement in creating and maintaining your coral aquariums and it will make the make the long drawn out process and all the hard work worthwhile.
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