I’m brand new to marine aquariums, though I’ve kept freshwater fish aquariums for 40 years.
I’m in the planning stage for a saltwater aquarium: 450 gallon (96” x 36” x 30”) + 100 gallon open-top wet/dry sump. I already I have this setup.
Other pertinent information:
RE: Only marine fish are available here: I live in the Cayman Islands and I have never seen any type of corals, marine invertebrates, etc. being sold in the shops here. Only fish. I assume this is due to the local dept. of agriculture laws here.
RE: Rock setup: I plan to get dry rocks that my lfs sells for marine aquariums and glue them together to make an arrangement inside my tank before filling the tank with water.
QUESTIONS:
1) RE: Do I need R/O water?: my tap water is from a desalination plant and so is basically already R/O water but with added Sodium Hydroxide (to increase pH) and Zinc Orthophosphate (an anti-corrosive for the underground pipes). And of course chlorine. Do I still need to use R/O water or can I use Seachem Safe for the chlorine as I do for my freshwater tanks?
2) RE: Marine-specific equipment?:
3) RE: Water Changes?: I’m used to doing 50% weekly water changes for my freshwater tanks. In the past I remember reading that for marine aquariums, if you have a ‘Dosing Device’ then you don’t need to do/or rarely need to do water changes. Any guidance in this area would be appreciated. Also, if you can link me to any online resource that speaks to this then I would also very much appreciate that.
Thank you for your advice/guidance!
I’m in the planning stage for a saltwater aquarium: 450 gallon (96” x 36” x 30”) + 100 gallon open-top wet/dry sump. I already I have this setup.
Other pertinent information:
RE: Only marine fish are available here: I live in the Cayman Islands and I have never seen any type of corals, marine invertebrates, etc. being sold in the shops here. Only fish. I assume this is due to the local dept. of agriculture laws here.
RE: Rock setup: I plan to get dry rocks that my lfs sells for marine aquariums and glue them together to make an arrangement inside my tank before filling the tank with water.
QUESTIONS:
1) RE: Do I need R/O water?: my tap water is from a desalination plant and so is basically already R/O water but with added Sodium Hydroxide (to increase pH) and Zinc Orthophosphate (an anti-corrosive for the underground pipes). And of course chlorine. Do I still need to use R/O water or can I use Seachem Safe for the chlorine as I do for my freshwater tanks?
2) RE: Marine-specific equipment?:
- Dosing device: what are these devices and where can I purchase them? Exactly what compounds do they dose to the aquarium?
- Protein skimmer: I’ve seen these on amazon.com and I understand the concept, so just asking for any recommendations for my ~550 gallon setup.
- Salinity Refractometer (this seems pretty straight forward)
3) RE: Water Changes?: I’m used to doing 50% weekly water changes for my freshwater tanks. In the past I remember reading that for marine aquariums, if you have a ‘Dosing Device’ then you don’t need to do/or rarely need to do water changes. Any guidance in this area would be appreciated. Also, if you can link me to any online resource that speaks to this then I would also very much appreciate that.
Thank you for your advice/guidance!