If you're considering setting up a saltwater aquarium, be sure to prepare properly before you bring pet fish into your home. The proper setup will keep your fish healthy and extend their lives. Saltwater fish are generally easy to take care of if you set up your aquarium the right way. Careful preparation is the key to success. Begin preparing your saltwater aquarium, whether it's for cold-water or tropical fish, at least four weeks before adding fish. A 30-gallon tank is the minimum size for saltwater fish. Also consider that the aquarium will be very heavy (large ones weigh as much as a piano) and should be placed near a load-bearing wall in the house. After you clean your aquarium, using water and a clean cloth, begin adding gravel. Use aquarium gravel (figure A), which has active bacteria that help break down waste. Just pour the gravel into the tank and flatten it out. Before adding water, layer rocks in the aquarium (figure B). In addition to enhancing the look of your aquarium, rocks give fish places to hide. Use special rocks prepared for aquarium use: rocks you find around the house, particularly limestone, can be hazardous to fish. Next, add water. Place a small bowl on the gravel, and pour the water into the bowl (figure C) to help prevent the gravel from being stirred up. When the tank is full, add a dechlorinating salt mix (figure D). Make sure to use aquarium salt, as household salt can kill your fish. Test the water with pH and salinity test kits (figure E). Test kits are also available for checking the calcium level, or hardness, of the water. When the water has stabilized, you can add live aquarium plants. Add a cover/light to the top of the aquarium to prevent the fish from jumping out. Try to follow the natural daytime/nighttime cycle when lighting your aquarium. Before adding fish you'll need a filter. In general, external filters work best.
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