3 Secrets to Keeping Saltwater Fish, Part 1

After setting up and maintaining saltwater aquariums professionally for more than 3 years

, and an enthusiast for over 12 years, a general rule of thumb is that a saltwater aquarium will cost about $50 per gallon of water. For example, a 30 gallon setup which includes the tank, filter(s), and inhabitants will cost about $1500. Given that the entry cost for this hobby is relatively expensive, being well informed about the needs of saltwater fish and their behavior will save you a tremendous amount of money in the long run. There are three main keys to keeping a successful saltwater aquarium which include knowledge, patience, and consistency.

The main draw that initially attracts people to saltwater aquariums are the fish themselves. The way they effortlessly glide through the water while displaying their beautifully vibrant colors painted by the most skilled artist entices people into the hobby. Over time you'll begin to notice their unique personalities and behaviors. The way your puffer fish recognizes you every time you come up to the tank, the way your clownfish comes out of the rock when you sit down at your desk to work, the way your foxface and your maculosus angelfish keep growing and become a part of your life. In order to experience this, the hobbyist needs to be well informed, knowledgeable about fish and their needs. The internet brings a wealth of information about marine fish, but be careful not to believe everything on the various internet saltwater fish forums. Individuals have specific methods that meet their needs, but their method may not work in your application. There are simple methods that have worked for years and only a few implement it. It requires a relatively minimal amount of equipment, but it is highly effective.

One of the reasons most people fail to use/discover it is because after investing a small fortune into their tanks and having all or most of their fish die is very discouraging. Usually after their second or possibly third massive fish die off, they leave the hobby. I have been there, and I have lost thousands of dollars in dead fish. It is very frustrating not to be able to keep your fish alive. No one should have to wake up in a panic, rush over to the tank first thing in the morning just to check to see if their new fish is still alive. This mentality defeats the purpose of owning a fish tank. Instead of lowering stress levels, instead of forgetting the worries of the day and losing yourself in the tank, it is the polar opposite when you don't know how to properly keep your fish alive. Over the years and thousand of dollars lost to dead fish, I've discovered a method that has worked for me. It is a method that has been used by distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and a few individual fish keepers. Some have discovered this on their own, others have been taught, and still others have learned by a combination of the two. I've learned by a combination of personal experience and using the experience of others.

This is not a fool proof method where I guarantee all of your fish will live forever, but it is a method that has greatly improved my fish-keeping ability. Of course it requires a bit of knowledge about saltwater fish, and the equipment needed to setup their habitat. To increase your "fish i.q." one needs to read books about fish, not necessarily forum chatter. It is important to follow an author's thought process from the beginning to end in order to discover his/her fish-keeping method. Each author has their own unique method for keeping fish, but there are a few underlying factors that remain consistent amongst all saltwater fish-keepers. Each will discuss whether glass or acrylic is right for you, or which protein skimmer works best, or which pump is better than the other. While all of these are important factors, the main goal is to keep your fish healthy, watch them grow, and eventually move to a larger tank. Simplicity is the key as are patience and consistency. It is important to understand the fundamentals of the game. One key aspect is understanding the nitrogen cycle. Other major points include: knowing your prospective fish's behavior and characteristics, fundamentals of filtration, and water flow. Once these critical elements are understood, your fish-keeping experience will be fun and positive for both you and your family.

3 Secrets to Keeping Saltwater Fish, Part 1

By: Jason

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