Wednesday, May 12, 2004
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Local experts share their advice on maintaining your own aquarium
Marijo Saunders THE DAILY HERALD
Finding Nemo a comfortable home is nothing to clown around about.
Setting up and maintaining a saltwater or freshwater aquarium requires
serious planning and preparation. From choosing a filtration system to
finding compatible tank mates, this hobby requires time, patience and a
good deal of research.
To help you embark on this underwater adventure, the Herald asked
several experienced aquarists for advice on getting started. Whether you
choose the less-expensive option of a freshwater tank or go for a more
organic look with a saltwater ecosystem, creating your own aquarium can
be a challenging and rewarding experience, say local experts. Here are
their suggestions:
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1. First things first - research
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Planning is the first step in producing an ideal aquarium. Adam
Blundell, president of the Wasatch Marine Aquarium Society of Salt Lake
City, said the most successful and content aquarists are those who do
their research prior to making any purchases. Blundell suggests studying
books and magazines such as Tropical Fish Hobbyist and Aquarium Fish
Magazine, as well as browsing Web sites and even joining a club.
The Wasatch Marine Aquarium Society and the Great Salt Lake Aquarium
Society are both based in Salt Lake City. They allow members to network
with experienced hobbyist who are familiar with and enthusiastic about
marine life and personal aquariums. You can also take the time to visit
homes and stores with aquariums to visually get an idea of how a tank
should appear, Blundell said. When you find something you want to
replicate, take detailed notes or pictures. Those who do their homework
more often avoid buying things they don't want, he said. "The real key
is to know what you want beforehand."
2. Freshwater vs. saltwater
Deciding how much time and money you want to invest in your new hobby
may help determine whether to purchase a saltwater or freshwater tank.
While both kinds of aquariums offer a variety of options, saltwater
tanks are usually more expensive. Experts estimate that getting a
saltwater tank started costs about $1500, while starting a freshwater
tank costs about $100. Saltwater fish cost anywhere from $5 to $100.
Freshwater fish usually sell for about $3 a fish, some stores even offer
them for as low as 25 cents.
In addition, saltwater tanks require twice as much maintenance as
freshwater tanks. Saltwater ecosystems are extremely delicate, and if
things go wrong within the tank, the fish and plants are usually less
likely to recover. Experts say that a common trend among saltwater
aquarium owners is to hire professional help, usually starting at $100 a
month, to handle the upkeep of their tanks. Proper maintenance can be
costly but is better than having to replace your entire system, experts
say.
For all the expense and work, many find the opportunity to bring
authentic sea creatures into their home or office well worth it. "The
ocean is a ridiculously uncharted territory," said Randy Olsen, owner of
Mountain Shadow Marine in Centerville. Through saltwater aquariums,
people can discover the sea's unique and mysterious beauty.
3.The basics
Olsen suggests that first-time aquarists start with a big tank,
anywhere from 55 to 75 gallons. Larger tanks are more likely to maintain
proper water quality, including appropriate pH and nitrate levels. As a
result, they provide a larger margin of error for beginners to learn
without the fear of making a devastating mistake. Once you gain
experience, Olsen said, you can work your way back to a smaller tank.
For those who don't want to splurge on a large tank, Blundell
recommends purchasing a 20-gallon tank for about $40. It's small enough
to not be overwhelming, but spacious enough to allow for experimenting
with decorations and fish, he said. It's important to remember, however,
that the smaller the tank, the more likely problems will occur, said
Mark Giorgio, manager of the Orem location of Petco.
Once you've decided on your tank size and shape, the next step is
finding an adequate filtration system. Both freshwater and saltwater
aquariums need a good system that should be selected based on what you
plan to keep or grow in the water. Filter systems used for both
freshwater and saltwater tanks are often a combination of biological,
mechanical and chemical filters. In addition, saltwater tanks require
calcium carbonate, which often looks like gravel, to act as a pH buffer.
Talk with an experienced aquarist to find out which filter best fits
your needs.
4. Interior decorating
Your aquarium's decor will depend largely on whether you're using a
freshwater or saltwater tank. Colorful gravel and a myriad of plastic
ornaments such as plants, treasure chests and bubble machines can be
used to add beauty and personality to your tank. While these decorations
create a unique and fun look for your aquarium, they also provide hiding
places for your fish.
Those who have saltwater aquariums often enjoy building reef systems
in their tanks by using rock, coral and anemones they've collected from
the wild. You can also purchase organic decorations at aquarium shops
around Utah Valley. Lighting that mimics mother nature may also be
required for some plants to live and grow in a tank. Additionally,
heaters may be needed to maintain an appropriate water temperature,
especially for tanks that house tropical fish.
5. Selecting fish
Purchase fish that will thrive in the environment you've created. And
if you plan to have a group of fish, make sure they're compatible with
each other. Ask an experienced aquarist for advice about which fish will
interact well together. Experts recommend danios, gouramis, mollies,
platies and tetras as beginner freshwater fish because they are hearty
species and are compatible with others.
Ideal saltwater fish include damsels, gobies and clownfish. Use
caution with clownfish, however. While they are compatible with other
species, they don't do as well with their own kind.
Rather than dumping all the fish into the tank at once, add them one
or two fish at a time and wait several weeks before adding more. This
method allows time for your tank to adjust and maintain its proper water
quality, and it helps fish stay healthy.
Learn more
www.utahreefs.com -- This Web site promotes
conservation of reefs and marine life. It has information about the Salt
Lake City-based Wasatch Marine Aquarium Society.
www.petco.com -- This retailer's Web site has
various aquarium products such as tanks and filters. There are also
articles about fish compatibility, nutrition and tank furnishings.
www.mountainshadowmarine.com -- Learn about water
chemistry and how to properly acclimate your fish to its new
surroundings. Also, get a list of prices for products and services.
www.masna.org -- At the Marine Aquarium Societies of
North America's site, locate aquarium societies throughout the nation,
interact with other aquarists through chat rooms and find links to a
number of Web sites dedicated to marine life.
Sources: Adam Blundell, president of the
Wasatch Marine Aquarium Society, www.utahreefs.com; Mark Giorgio and Ken
Schow, managers at Petco in Orem, www.petco.com; Randy Olsen, owner of
Mountain Shadow Marine in Centerville, www.mountainshadowmarine.com; Bob
Allen, president of the Great Salt Lake Aquarium Society; Marine
Aquarium Societies of North America, www.masna.org
This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page B1. |