If you love exotic fish and want a great aquarium, then investing in a saltwater aquarium is the right choice. Saltwater aquariums can be an exciting adventure, but they require a little bit of planning. It takes about 4 to 8 weeks before you can add saltwater fish in your aquarium.

There are basically three different types of saltwater setups:

• Fish Only
• Fish Only With Live Rock (FOWLR)
• Reef Tanks

With this venture, you need to be patient. You definitely would not like losing any one of your fish as they are quite expensive. Before moving to an aquarium setup of any type, you have to work on the details like location, size of aquarium, stand, substrate, filtration, lighting, temperature, decor, and the inhabitants.

Basic set up instructions are the same for all types of saltwater aquariums except for a few slight variations here and there. The following are the steps to be followed for FOWLR setup:

• Step 1: The first step in setting up is the location, size, and the stand of the aquarium. The location must be away from direct sunlight otherwise it will produce excessive algae. A cool room which is well-ventilated is best. The space should be ample enough for maintaining and cleaning. Various sizes and shapes are available. The stand should be sturdy enough to bear the weight of the water.
• Step 2: Check the tank for any leaks and then clean it with 1 tsp of pure bleach for every 5 gallons of water. Clean and scrub the rocks, plants, and tank several times with clean water. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and install the filtration system carefully. Wash the substrate thoroughly before placing it in the tank. Now put the plants inside and anchor the bottoms in the substrate.
• Step 3: Fill a large bucket with clean dechlorinated water and add salt to it. Use a hydrometer to check how much salt is dissolved. The specific gravity must be between 1.020 and 1.023. Fill the tank with salt water leaving an inch at the top.
• Step 4: Start the filter system and add the heater and thermometer. The best temperature for marine fish is between 75 to 80 degrees. Run everything for at least 24 hours and insure that the temperature is set right and the water is moving.
• Step 5: Add the fish when the chemical levels are acceptable and the tank temperature is within normal limits. Please bear in mind that in saltwater aquariums, water movement is imperative so it is advisable to purchase an acceptable power source.

Fish Only is the cheapest type of aquarium and needs no lightning, but they do require a lot of maintenance and cleaning. You are required to frequently change the water to remove the nitrates that accumulate. You will have to monitor the ammonia, nitrate and pH levels. As the name suggests, this aquarium is for FISH ONLY, but you can keep crabs or snails to control algae.

The Reef Tank setup has fish just as an afterthought. The reef lovers are interested in keeping corals, invertebrates and anemones. This type of saltwater aquarium requires very high maintenance and daily monitoring of water parameters. This tank is not for beginners. Many experienced and rich hobbyists do invest in this type of tank. It has to be kept in the kitchen or near the window where temperature keeps fluctuating. The saltwater reef aquarium is more colorful and is eye-catching than the other types of saltwater aquariums.