| Most people are unaware or uninformed of how | | | | when cleaning an acrylic tank and be sure |
| to properly clean and care for a saltwater | | | | that the cleaning supplies being used will |
| tank. It's best to understand how to care for | | | | not harm the tank in any way. |
| your saltwater tank before even buying one so | | | | |
| as to avoid possible problems down the road. | | | | The best thing to use to remove algae is |
| The first thing you should be aware of is | | | | phosphate drops. When added to the water on a |
| that you will need to buy filtered water or | | | | regular basis, algae does not build up as |
| buy a reverse osmosis kit. Otherwise you can | | | | quickly. Another way to avoid an algae |
| use regular water, making sure it is at the | | | | problem is to invest in some hermit crabs and |
| correct temperature, and add in chemicals to | | | | snails to keep your rocks and tank clean. |
| remove chlorine and other unwanted chemicals. | | | | Hermit crabs and snails are known to be the |
| Maintenance is a necessity and you will need | | | | clean up crew, and can make a huge difference |
| to clean your tank at least once a month. It | | | | in your saltwater aquarium if you have enough |
| is best to try to clean the tank as often as | | | | of them. You will also need to buy a scraper |
| every two weeks however, don't over clean | | | | or a scratch pad to clean the glass. A |
| your tank or you will remove some of the | | | | regular cleaning tool will not be strong |
| beneficial bacteria. Most people think that | | | | enough to remove the algae from the glass. |
| removing this bacteria is a good thing, but | | | | |
| it's the exact opposite for a saltwater tank. | | | | It is very important to aim the filter head |
| This bacteria is actually essential to | | | | down into the water. Failure to do so will |
| maintain a healthy and balanced aquarium. | | | | result in a build up of salt on the lid of |
| | | | the tank. Good lighting and a strong and |
| If you are just starting out with a new | | | | efficient filter are a necessity. The tank |
| saltwater tank, you will need to let the tank | | | | should only be lit for about 6 hours a day. |
| sit for 30 days before adding anything to it. | | | | The more lighting, the more algae will form. |
| It is recommended that you buy some test | | | | You can buy a timer from the pet store to |
| strips to test out the water and make sure | | | | make sure the light is on at the exact time |
| everything is balanced. Nobody wants to | | | | each day. Otherwise the lighting could range |
| invest in a $60.00 fish and have it die | | | | from day to day and algae will form. Try to |
| because the water was not tested and the | | | | position the saltwater aquarium away from |
| chemical balance was off. Once the tank is | | | | direct sunlight as this will also add to the |
| established and the chemical levels are | | | | growth of algae. |
| stable, it will stay that way, and you | | | | |
| shouldn't need to test it if you do frequent | | | | The key to maintaining a healthy saltwater |
| water changes. When cleaning the tank, you | | | | aquarium is to keep it clean and algae free. |
| will need remove of stir the gravel to remove | | | | By remembering the ways to avoid algae, you |
| sediment that could possibly change the | | | | will be able to keep a healthy aquarium for |
| chemical make up of the tank. Use caution | | | | years to come. |