Salt Fish Only
Description
A Salt Fish Only system includes typically larger fish, a combination of live rock and base rock, and may include artificial corals or coral skeletons. These systems are not able to support invertebrates such as corals, crabs, snails, or anemones. In our fishroom there are reef safe organisms (priced in green), reef caution organisms (priced in yellow), and non-reef safe organisms (priced in red). Typically you can mix green, yellow, and red labeled fish together in a Fish Only system. The biggest consideration when choosing fish is the relative size of all the fish in your aquarium. In most cases as long as the fish can’t swallow one another whole they should co-exist well together. Thus if you start your system with small fish (Damsels are an exception to this) you are going to have to continue with small fish.
By definition a Fish Only system is no less than 4 feet in length and 55 gallons or more, more is better, and may include a protein skimmer as part of in the filtration system. Protein Skimmers remove organic materials before they have a chance to be broken down into nitrates. All Fish Only systems should include a U. V. sterilizer which, most importantly, act as an investment protector killing all parasites and bacteria potentially harmful to fish by passing system water through a column of ultra violet light. Additionally, they help to control unsightly algae and cyanobacteria in the aquarium. Most Fish Only systems are glass or acrylic square or rectangular aquariums. These systems are for beginner to advanced hobbyists since we are dealing with fish only and no invertebrates. Although these systems are easy to keep each piece has to be individually purchased to assemble the system. If you are a beginner and want to start with a Fish Only system make sure you have an associate select all the hardware for you.
Parameters
One needs filtration, U.V. sterilization, temperature control, and a basic understanding of water parameters to succeed.
Light: typically fluorescent, color enhancing bulbs are an option to make the fish stand out.
Water Flow: typically 7 times the total tank volume circulating through the filter per hour.
Filtration: must have mechanical, biological, and chemical filtration.
Temperature Control: Heater 3-5 watts per gallon
Salinity (specific gravity): 1.014 - 1.017
pH: 8.3
N03: 40 mg/l or less
Equipment
Aquarium 55 gallons or more
Filter or Sump and pump
Aquarium Pharm Tap Water Filter or R/O Unit
Instant Ocean Hydrometer
Crushed Coral (1 inch deep)
Combination Base Rock and Live Rock
Fluorescent Lighting and Timer
Ultra Violet Sterilizer (Investment Protector)
Protein Skimmer (Recommended but optional)
Heater and Thermometer
Aquarium Pharm Salt water master test kit
SeaChem Marine Buffer (pH)
SeaChem Matrix Carbon
Siphon
Salt Fish Only Class (6 weeks)
This class is written to space the equipment expense of a Fish Only system over 6 weeks. If you need help have our service department install the equipment properly.
Day 1: Have an associate help you select and aquarium combo (tank and stand) and a filter system. Purchase the Instant Ocean Hydrometer, dry salt mix, and the Aquarium Pharm Tapwater Filter (55 gallon tank or less) or R/O unit (over 55 gallons) and mix most of the water in the aquarium yourself. All fish only aquariums are heavy and require a 100% level stand specifically built for the weight requirements, assume roughly 10 lbs per gallon when selecting a suitable floor location. Fill the tank with either de-ionized or R/O water and the dry salt mix. After 24 hours make sure the hydrometer reads 1.014 – 1.017, it takes 24 hours for all the dry salt to completely dissolve. We will show you how to use a hydrometer. The low salt content makes it easier for the fish to osmo-regulate their bodies and makes the entire system a “quarantine” system since parasites and harmful bacteria struggle to survive at such a low salinity level . Plug the light into the timer and set it to run the light for 10 hours per day. Plug in the filter or pump. Come back in 7 days with a ¼ soda can amount of water for us to test.
During the next 7 days we are letting the water mature and filters to start seeding with bacteria, a mild cycling process may begin.
Day 1 Purchase list: Aquarium and stand, filter or sump, Water purification system: Aquarium Pharm Tapwater Filter (55 gallon tank or less) or R/O unit (over 55 gallons), Instant Ocean Hydrometer, 4.4 g, dry salt mix.
Week 2: Estimate the aquarium dimensions on our floor. Select a combination of base rock and live rock and stack it on the floor as if it were your aquarium. Purchase as much as is visually appealing to you. Pack moist paper around the rock and pack it into a box. You now have 24 hours to assemble the rock structure. In the aquarium stack the live rock on the glass (this prevents fish from digging under the rocks and destabilizing the structure). It is recommended to get all of your live rock today to avoid the chance of re-cycling your tank. Buy enough crushed coral to achieve about a 1 inch depth. The live rock contains two types of beneficial bacteria that convert fish waste to non-toxic substances and act as the biological filter. Purchase a fluorescent light system; color enhancing bulbs are optional. Plug light system into a timer and set it to run lights for 10 hours per day.
During the next week your tank will undergo a natural nitrogen cycling process and may turn milky white for a couple days, this is normal. The cycling process is essentially the biological filter break in period. Do not attempt to add any live stock until after we tell you the cycling process is over.
Week 2 Live Stock Purchase list: You may purchase all the live rock for your system use as much or as little as visually appealing to you. Keep in mind the rock is the systems biological filtration. Purchase crushed coral to achieve a 1 inch depth.
Week 2 Dry Good Purchase list: Fluorescent light systems are the most recommended (color enhancing bulbs are optional), light timer or power strip with built in timer.
Week 3: Replace evaporated water with purified fresh water, salt does not evaporate. Bring in your water sample after 7-10 days of placing the live rock in your aquarium. 9 out of 10 tanks will be fully cycled. We will teach you how to test for Ammonia- NH3, Nitrite- No2, and Nitrate- No3 and show you how to use an algae magnet. When ammonia and nitrite are 0 and Nitrates are present the tank is fully cycled. Purchase a Protein Skimmer suitable for the volume or your aquarium. You may notice some brown algae on the glass and rocks this is normal.
Week 3 Live Stock Purchase list: You may purchase some Damsel fishes to start the aquarium. Start with a maximum of one Damsel for every 10 gallons of tank volume.
Week 3 Dry Good Purchase list: Protein Skimmer (optional but recommended), Mag Float algae magnet.
Week 4:
Bring in another water sample. We will review how to test for Ammonia- NH3, Nitrite- No2, Nitrate- No3. The high ammonia during the cycling process lowers the pH. We will teach you how to test for pH. When you get home dissolve the recommended amount of SeaChem Marine Buffer and fresh water then add it to the tank to achieve the ideal pH of 8.3. Do not attempt to dissolve in salt water. We will discuss the benefits of adding ultra violet sterilization to the system.
Week 4 Live Stock Purchase list: You may purchase one hardy fish. Have an associate point out some options for you.
Week 4 Dry Good Purchase list: SeaChem Marine Buffer (pH), Ultra Violet Sterilizer.
Week 5:
Bring in another water sample. We will review how to test for pH, and show you how to properly siphon your aquarium. When you go home do a 25% water change using the siphon to vacuum the crushed coral) and replace water with purified water mixed with dry salt. Purchase a heater (3-5 watts per gallon) and place it out of sight. Also select a siphon or Python No Spill Siphon system. Clean filter, and replace SeaChem Matrix carbon.
Week 5 Live Stock Purchase list: You may purchase 1 more hardy fish. Have an associate point out some options for you.
Week 5 Dry Good Purchase list: Heater (3-5 watts per gallon)- Hagen Elite or Instant Ocean unbreakable Stealth heaters are recommended, thermometer (the digital Coralife ones are recommended), Marine Land Siphon Clean or Python No Spill Siphon System, SeaChem Matrix carbon.
Week 6: Graduation. Bring in your last water sample. We will review any testing questions you may have, and demonstrate anything you still may be unsure of. Test your water weekly for ph, Nitrates, and salinity. Do a 25% water change with and purified water and dry salt mix, clean your filter, and change Matrix Carbon monthly. Add fish slowly until the nitrates reach 40 mg/l and then stop adding fish.
Week 6 Live Stock Purchase list: At this point you may add 1 fish weekly. Make sure you buy fish roughly the same size. Add fish slowly over time until the max fish population is indicated by nitrates exceeding 40 mg/l.
Week 6 Dry Good Purchase list: Nothing.