1. MARINE (SALT WATER) AQUARIUM 101
with
Captain Pete

2. Aquarium Size Bigger is better
Gallons to fish ratio = 1-2 inch/gallon water*
Size of fish matters

3. SUBSTRATE As natural as possible: Crushed shell for pH buffering
Gravel provides space for “good” bacteria to live in.
Sand can be bad – substrate becomes anoxic

4. Filtration Many kind of filters.
All provide essentially the same service - Removal of contaminates and toxins
Examples:
Hanging Filters
Canister Filters
Wet/dry trickle filters
Corner filters
Protein skimmers

5. 3 types of filtration in each filter
Mechanical
Sponges remove large particulates
Chemical
Activated carbon (charcoal) removes dissolved metals, inorganics and some ammonia
Biological
Removes organic waste (NH3, NO3, NO2)
Bioballs mimic “Nitrogen Cycle”

6. The Nitrogen Cycle
Natural process through which toxic ammonia produced by all animals is reduced to nitrogen and oxygen. Ammonia hinders fish from taking up O2 across gills.
Three groups of “good” bacteria
Nitrifying bacteria = oxidize ammonia (NH3) to Nitrite (NO2)
Nitrite (NO2) then is converted to Nitrate (NO3) by a second group of bacteria
Denitrifying bacteria then process nitrate into nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2)

8. Water parameters pH should be slightly basic (7.5-8.5)
Salinity: ppt
Dilute with dechlorinated water
Ammonia: 0.5 ppm – take corrective action.
Water changes (10-25%)
Feed less
Clean filter but only with salt water
pH should be slightly basic ( )