Saltwater aquarium and freshwater aquarium also need care and attention but coral reef aquariums need much more. Marine fish are not as hardy than the freshwater varieties therefore it is harder for marine fish to acclimatise to the water of there new environments. So with this in mind coral reef aquariums are really for the experienced aquarium keepers because they need do much care and attention and it takes real commitment to succeed. Coral reef aquariums can take months to get the correct water balance and the cycle right. The water must be monitored daily at first and the water ph, lighting and temperature must be regulated until it is correct.

Use tap water to fill your aquarium and add a sea salt mix to it. The required materials can be purchased from most aquatic pet stores. The salinity of the water should be between 1.023 and 1.004. The ph should be tested with the ideal ph levels between 8.3 and 8.4. Again your local aquatic store should have the answers to this. The water temperature should be stable and the ideal marine aquarium should be between 75 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit. With coral reef aquariums you do not have a great deal of leeway when you start out and mistakes can prove to be costly. Patience is important when setting up and your marine life should not be introduced until the aquarium is completely ready for them.

So you fancy Nemo in your aquarium. Well once you are absolutely sure your tank is ready you can introduce some of the hardiest marine fish. This includes clown fish (Nemo) and things like anemones. Once introduced to the aquarium monitor them closely, checking for stress and normal activity levels. The most common cause of illness in your fish is stress. Tropical fish which have come directly from the ocean will have to get acclimatised to their new home and stress is a major factor. Overcrowding in your aquarium is another way to stress your fish they need their own space. You have to allow space not just for the size of the fish you have just purchased but for the size the fish will grow to. A rough guide for this is ten gallons of water for every inch of fish.

Only introduce a few fish to your tank at first because the incubation period for most illness in fish is about one month. If the fish are adjusting well and the water in the tank is correct, then after one month has passed you should be able to introduce some other marine life. If you introduced your clown fish at the beginning then you can add other fish which is compatible to them. These include dwarf angel fish and mandarin fish which would set off your aquarium nicely. Fish compatibility is important for your new fish because they need to be able to live within the same water conditions, have the same compatibility with the food they eat. Patience is required before adding your new fish. Existing fish in your aquarium should be well adjusted to the tank before introducing your new fish. Remember if the fish are not compatible bigger fish sometimes eat smaller varieties so make sure you do not wake up to find half of your fish missing. Research before adding new species of fish to your aquarium, making sure all new varieties are compatible with your existing fish. It takes no small amount of skill to get a coral reef aquarium up and running and looking good. But once it is established the work is very worthwhile and everyone will be admiring your new coral reef aquarium paradise.