How hard is the upkeep of salt-water aquariums in the home? Also,what fish would you recommend?

Answers:
Once you get the tank set up maintenance is about the same as fresh water there's a few extra things:

Check salt - be ready to adjust levels
Check water quality more often (I'd suggest once a week at least); again be ready to make adjustments.

Bigger tanks require less water changes, once monthly for anything bigger than a 55.

Here are a few things to consider and a few recommendations. Nothing smaller than a thirty gallon tank but buy the biggest tank you can afford.

Invest in a good filter.

If you want anything other than fish invest in a good protein skimmer.

Here's what you'll need.

Tank
Stand (wood is better - metal will rust faster due to the salt).
Marine salt
Hydrometer
Test strips
Heater
Filter
Protein skimmer (optional)
Dechlorinator (get Prime it's the best)
And you may need to get some sort of buffer it depends how the water is where you live.

Step up!

Fill tank half way with water - don't use a regular garden hose. If you use a hose make sure it's clear the regular green or black ones carry metal that's potentially deadly to aquarium inhabitants.

Use a bucket to start mixing in salt - make sure the salt mixes in you can't just add it to the tank because it will just sink to the bottom and not affect your salinity at all. The salt comes in bags or buckets that say for 50 gallons or 20 gallons or 125 gallons and so on - you can guess how much you'll need based on this and the gallons of your tank.

Once mostly full start measuring salinity with the hydrometer add salt or fresh water as needed to get levels right. The hydrometer will have a green area that's safe (around 1.022 - 1.024 is what I recommend - but see what your supplier keeps their tanks at and match your tank to theirs - it will make transitions easier).

The tank should then be left alone with filter running for 1 week. If you wish add live bacteria (through TLC, live rock or live sand after the salt levels are good).

Introduce damsels first - let them cycle the tank for around a month. If you want an aggressive tank go with domino or velvet damsels. For less to none aggressive fish use green chromis damsel. For in between use yellow tail or yellow belly damsels.

After than slowly add fish - clown fish are good for the second stage because they're fairly hardy.

For coral or anemones wait at least a month maybe 3 or 4 after the tank is fully cycled.

If you have problems with damsels of other fish being aggressive towards new fish move the rocks you put in a round, by the way provide plenty of hiding spaces.

When introducing new fish do a slow acclimation where you let the fish float for 15 minutes then drain most of the water out leave the fish in the bag and add some of your tank water every 5 minutes for 15 minutes. This will acclimate them to your salinity and water quality slowly and reduce fish loss.

Best of luck! :)

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I havn't done salt because of the "hard" aspect. I have heard the larger the tank the easier. I know you have to be more dilligent in your water paramenters. A good fish to start with are the cute clowns. They are fairly inexpensive compared to other salt fish, so if they die its not as much a shock to your wallet. They are very cute as well. There are many fish related stuff on the webb. Start your search the information is out there.

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Its definently involved but I like the challenge. To start off definently go with damsels theyre cheap and a good cycling fish(learn on them while you plan your real tank). I have a predator tank its a pain at feeding time getting all the dead stuff defrosted and stuff but a lot of fun to watch. I would recommend doing it if you dont mind the extra work due to the personalities of the fish as well as the fact that many will eat from your hands(eels, groupers(theyll jump out of the tank to eat from your hands :)), ect..). Its fun

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It's not too terribly difficult. Keep in mind you have to change 10% of your water every 2 weeks I'd say. Damsels are what you want to start with becuase they will raise the bacteria levels in your tank that are essential to the "balance" of the tank. Also if your doing a reef tank you need 1lb of live rock per gallon. If you're doing an aggressive tank then you dont need alot unless you have an eel, they want caves. The bigger the tank the easier it is to care for and if you get lots of snails it will make it easier to clean because they do alot of it on their own. Good luck with your tank!

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I find it just as easy as freshwater after everything is setup and cycled.
"I" test MY water every 2 months in my reef tank.not every week.
"I" do water changes every 2 months in my reef tank.not every 2 weeks
"I" add only Bio Cal as a supliment every 2 days, it has ALL the trace elliments needed.
"I" NEVER add any chemicals to my water.
I have NEVER lost a fish or Coral to POOR water quality, If you read most of these posts, water quality is a MAJOR problem with FRESHWATER fish.
I hope you can view these pics of my 75gal REEF and my 30gal. seahorse tanks, If not Just email me and I will send you an invite.
The 75gal has only been going for 8 months and the seahorse tank has been going for about 6 weeks.
http://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/j.poiri...

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That will depend on the type of tank you have and what you have in it. A fish only tank is easy. I have to disagree with 007 here you should test your water at the minimum of 1 time a week. Care is the same if not easier than a fresh water tank.

Rock and reef tanks are different when it comes to maintenance since you cannot just siphone the gravel and blow off the rock. You now have animals all over so cleaning is done a bit differently. 10% water change every two weeks especially for a new tank does nothing as far as water changes go. The same 25% water change every two weeks replaces calcium and much needed minerals in the water.

I have a 250 reef tank (email me with your regular address and I will send photos) which I do water changes and cleaning only once every 3-4 months depending on the water.

The 75 gets a water change once every two months the 55's every 6 weeks and the 30's every two. I do not run a skimmer on the 30 so a water change is needed more often. The filter is not the most important part of your salt tank the skimmer is. Removing the organic matter from the tank is what cleans it not the filter.

As far as fish go, no one can tell you what to have. You will need to have a well cycled or a mature tank or certain fish. As far as damsels go, they are highly aggressive fish and will pick on anything you put in the tank with them. they are inexpensive and good starter fish along with the clowns (also considered damsels). check out saltwaterfish.com and look at the fish available.

Make a blue print of what you want, i.e. live rock, coral, inverts and fish. Be sure they are compatable and start slow. Remember adding rock, inverts, crabs and coral all count as a fish. You need to allow your biofilter to adjust between each addition and no 3%265 fish or items at one time.

If you need more help feel free to email me.