Marine Fish (Salt Water Fish)

Question

How to stop red slime algae? (General)

Answer

First check for phosphate, then silicates.

If these are correct normally it is insufficient water movement, insufficient lighting or old lights that need to be replaced. One can also drop the salinity, do three successive water changes and use activated carbon for two weeks.

Question

How many times an hour should one’s tank water turn over? (General)

Answer

If it is a reef tank, total volume through the filter should be twice on hour. While a fish only system up to four times in hour, and up to ten times an hour in the tank.

Question

What is the most important water test in a reef tank, or fish only system? (General)

Answer

PH, nitrates, calcium levels and alkalinity are the most important for a reef tank, while nitrates and PH are the most important for fish only. The PH level should read 8.2. Nitrates as close to zero as possible, and calcium levels about 450 parts per million.

Question

What is R.O Water? (General)

Answer

R.O water is straight H2O. It is the purist form of water you can get. It is the same as distilled water.

Question

The importance of R.O. water? (General)

Answer

It helps to prevent green hair algae, red slime algae, and the bleaching of coral. In tap water we have very high phosphates, which is the cause of all the above problems.

Question

What supplements should one use? (General)

Answer

Iodine, strontium and kalkwasser are the three most important. Iodine and strontium should be used weekly. Kalkwasser should be put into top up water or dripped in slowly over a period of a couple of hours at least three times a week. Kalkwasser has a very high PH, this is the reason for dripping it in slowly. It also maintains alkalinity, which in turn creates stability in the PH, and helps to maintain the calcium level.

Question
Is marine fish keeping difficult? (Fish)
Answer
There is no straight yes or no to this question but if approached correctly should not be too difficult. Do your homework before investing in a fish tank and the right equipment. Read books, use the Internet and best of all, speak to people that are already in the hobby. Then decide if the hobby is for you, as it requires time and effort. If one has the time for the hobby, it can be most enjoyable and very addictive.
Question
Should I start with a fish only or a reef tank? (Fish)

Answer
I generally advise people to start with a fish only system, as a fish only system is generally less expensive to set up. Also understanding the water chemistry is not so difficult .Start with fish only for at least six months preferably with the most common fish.

Question
What size tank should one start with? (General)

Answer
A fish tank only system should be at least 120 L while a reef tank should be at least 250L, for the simple reason that there is more stability in a bigger tank.
Question
What is the best position for an aquarium? (General)
Answer
Ideally not in a position where there is too much sunlight, due to water temperature increasing and algae growth, also not near a Hi-Fi system or the television because of the noise.

Question
How long does it take to mature an aquarium? (General)

Answer
Expect a normal filter aquarium to mature in about 28 days.

Question
How often should you water change your tank? (General)

Answer
A fish only system one should water change at least 25% once a month. Where as a reef system one can water change as little as 5% once a month. This also depends on the stocking levels of the system.

Question
Is a protein skimmer necessary? (General)

Answer
Yes in every aquarium, choose the most efficient one you can afford and slightly over skimmer than under skim as you probably will end up with a bigger aquarium at some time!

Question
Are there any stocking rules for invertebrates? (Coral)

Answer
No, provided the corals do not touch each other. You can fit as many corals as the tank will hold. After all that is the idea of a coral reef. One thing to remember is that there is compatibility problems, so don’t forget to ask your local pet store for advice.

Question
What temperature should my reef tank be? (Coral)

Answer
Ideal temperature is between 24 and 26°C
Question
What should the salinity of my tank be? (General)

Answer
The salinity or SG (specific gravity) should be 1. 025

Question
What does LPS stand for? (Coral)

Answer
Long Polyp Stony corals e.g. Bubble coral, Hammerhead Coral, Elegant Coral.

Question
What does SPS stand for? (Coral)

Answer
Short Polyp Stony corals e.g. Staghorn Coral, Montipore Coral.

Question
Can you mix LPS with SPS corals? (Coral)

Answer
People do, but as a rule of thumb no, as their requirements are very different.

Question
What are soft corals? (Coral)

Answer
Soft corals are corals that have no skeleton e.g. Leather Coral, Colt Coral, Elephant Ears.

Question
What does DSB stand for? (General)

Answer
DSB stands for deep sand bed filter. This is a compartment in your sump where you have a deep layer of sand approximately 12 cm deep which is where the anaerobic bacteria live. This bacteria is what feeds on the nitrate in your tank to keep nitrate levels down. This layer of sand should not be disturbed as the layer of sand is starved of oxygen which is what you’re anaerobic bacteria require to live.

Question
Can you keep butterfly fish in a reef tank? (Fish)

Answer
There are only two butterflies you can keep in a reef tank and they are Copperband and Longnose butterfly.

Question
Is it possible to keep more than one species of clown together? (Fish)

Answer
Only in tanks over 600 L where you can have more than one anemone. If you want to keep more than one species in a small tank, then don’t add anemone’s as this is what they fight for.

Question
How often should you top up with R.O water? (Gen)

Answer
If one does not have an automatic top-up unit on their system you should top-up daily.