Starting A Miniature Marine Eco-System With An Aquarium

Sea World located in Southern California, Florida and Texas are considered to be three of the biggest aquariums in the world. It gives whales, dolphins, penguins and other creatures a home away from the wild.

You may not be able to take care of such creatures because of the enormous size but something similar to it can be done at home. It will take some money but those who successfully do so will be able to teach children and adults why it is important to be concerned about the environment.

The most important think to acquire first is the aquarium. Most of these are shaped in the form of a rectangle. The recommended size is 55 gallons that should ideally be made of glass and not metal since contact with saltwater may cause it to corrode and releasing a toxic substance into the water. Of course, those who can't afford this can get something smaller.

Lighting is also important in the marine ecosystem. It should be placed above the aquarium and also along the sides. You can utilize regular fluorescent tubes, metal halides and power compact fixtures since this is the next best thing to natural light from the sun.

The big aquarium will also require a filtration system. There are different types to choose form such as the hang on, canister and the under gravel versions. The most economical is live rock and sand. This is because it contains millions of organisms that create a balance in the marine environment. This can also serve as a home for the smaller fishes.

Marine creatures survive at a certain temperature and they can be regulated using a heater. It should be set at 78 or 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

The only thing to do now is to pour in the water. The difference between fresh and salt-water fish is where this liquid comes from. Fresh water will have to come from bottled containers while salt may come from the sea.

You don't have to worry about the volume of salt water needed because only a small volume is needed and can be mixed with the bottled version. When all the systems are up and running, it should be allowed to cycle for a few weeks. This will give enough time for bacteria to grow so that fish can be thrown in to the new home.