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What is the best way to start a salt water environment in a tank for salt water fish?
Prepare your tank and place all decorations.
Buy some synthetic sea salt, a salinity gauge, some shrimp from the grocery store, dechlorinater, and of course a test kit. A standard fresh water kit will suffice unless you plan to keep very exotic plants and animals. If you plan on keeping corals, then buy the reef test kit.
Get your salinity to 1.025 (with synthetic marine salt of course). Let sit for 1- 3 days and recheck salinity. If salt levels are ok, then put 2-3 shrimp from the seafood department of your local grocery store in the tank and let it start decaying ( these should be replaced roughly every five days to keep the ammonia going ).An alternative to this is to buy fish that are very cheap and you won't miss when they are dead. Every day check your ammonia levels. When you start getting ammonia then check your nitRITE levels. When nitrite levels reach zero, and stay there for say 4 days, start checking nitRATE levels.
Normally you can figure on putting fish in a tank 1-1.5 months after you set it up. Any sooner and you are jeopardizing whatever wildlife you put in the tank.
Ammonia,nitrite, and nitrate are toxic/unhealthy for fish. Ammonia comes from decaying poop and food, and is VERY toxic for your fish. It will burn their gills and not allow them to breathe. Nitrite prohibits the exchange of oxygen into their bloodstream through the gills, and is the next step in the nitrogen cycle. It is the byproduct of the bacteria you are growing in the tank that eats the ammonia. Nitrate is not as toxic for your fish but is deadly for most invertebrates and most corals. It is the byproduct of the bacteria that eat the nitrites in your tank. Unfortunately, the cycle pretty well stops here. Without truly deep sand beds and\or specialized filters and such, the only way to get rid of nitrates is with water changes.What you are trying to do is establish the nitrogen cycle in your tank so that the ammonia your fish produces is easily and very quickly converted to something a lot less deadly.
Your test kit readings should be:
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = < 20
before you add fish. And this will not happen in 1-2 weeks I can assure you. If it does it is most certainly only temporary and you should not rush out and buy fish.
And maybe this part will be considered spamming a site but I must say without them I would be out of roughly $1200 worth of fish, but if you require further help type into Google "wet web media" and browse their questions. There is more information there than you can read in 3 years about what to do with anything that requires water to live in or close by it.
Good luck and may the tank bring you all the enjoyment that my 9 tanks bring me.
What else can I help you with?
What is a water dweller?
A water dweller is a living organism that resides in an aquatic environment such as oceans, rivers, lakes, or ponds. These include fish, marine mammals, amphibians, and various invertebrates that have adapted to living in water.
Will food coloring in water change the color of a fish?
they will but only when they die. The fish gets darker every time but doesnt change until then
How is a fish's excretory system designed for survival in a watery environment?
A fish's excretory system is adapted for survival in a watery environment primarily through the efficient removal of ammonia, a toxic byproduct of protein metabolism. Fish excrete ammonia directly into the surrounding water through their gills, where it quickly dilutes and disperses. Additionally, freshwater fish face challenges of excess water intake, so they produce dilute urine to expel excess water while retaining essential salts. This adaptation allows fish to maintain osmotic balance and thrive in their aquatic habitats.
What type of living things live in a pond?
Living things that can be found in a pond include various species of fish, frogs, turtles, insects, birds, and aquatic plants. These organisms have adapted to the water environment and play important roles in the pond's ecosystem.
Will low or high pH cause cloudy water?
Low pH can cause cloudy water in a fish tank due to insufficient buffering capacity, stressing fish. High pH can lead to scale buildup and mineral deposits, also affecting water quality. Proper pH levels are essential for a healthy aquatic environment.
What are the best ways to maintain a healthy environment for fish in a fish bowl with water?
To maintain a healthy environment for fish in a fish bowl with water, it is important to regularly clean the bowl and change the water, provide proper filtration and aeration, monitor water temperature and quality, and feed the fish appropriately. Additionally, avoid overfeeding and overcrowding the fish bowl to ensure a healthy environment for the fish.
What is the meaning of the idiom 'a fish out of water'?
A fish out of water is in an alien environment. If you say that someone is "a fish out of water," then you are saying they are out of their element. Stan the accountant was a fish out of water at the plumbing convention.
How often should water changes be performed in a fish tank to maintain a healthy environment for the fish, and what are the best practices for conducting these water changes effectively?
Water changes in a fish tank should be performed regularly, typically every 1-2 weeks, to maintain a healthy environment for the fish. The best practice is to replace about 10-20 of the water each time, using a siphon to remove debris from the gravel and adding a water conditioner to remove harmful chemicals. It's important to match the temperature and pH of the new water to the existing tank water to minimize stress on the fish.
Who out of fish amphibians or reptile live in almost every water environment?
The fish!
How long can a dead fish stay in a tank before it starts to negatively impact the water quality and other fish?
A dead fish can start negatively impacting water quality and other fish in a tank within a few hours. It is important to remove the dead fish promptly to maintain a healthy environment for the remaining fish.
How do fish suit there environment?
Fish suit their environment because they can breath under water by extracting oxygen through their gills.
How often should water changes be performed in fish tanks to maintain a healthy aquatic environment for the fish?
Water changes should be performed in fish tanks every 1-2 weeks to maintain a healthy aquatic environment for the fish.
How does a fish adapt to its environment?
first they start out with gills. Now they have legs
Is cod saltwater fish or farm water?
There is no such thing as "farm" water. However Cod is a fish adapted to the marine environment.
How often should I change the water in a fish bowl?
It is recommended to change the water in a fish bowl at least once a week to maintain a healthy environment for your fish.
How often should water be changed in a fish bowl?
Water in a fish bowl should be changed at least once a week to maintain a healthy environment for the fish.
How do you change fish tank water effectively to maintain a healthy aquatic environment for your fish?
To effectively change fish tank water and maintain a healthy aquatic environment for your fish, follow these steps: Use a siphon to remove about 25-30 of the water from the tank. Clean the gravel and decorations with a gravel vacuum. Use a water conditioner to treat the new water before adding it to the tank. Gently add the treated water back into the tank. Monitor the water parameters regularly and adjust as needed to keep the environment healthy for your fish.
