This document provides an overview of freshwater and saltwater aquariums. It discusses choosing an aquarium type based on fish species requirements. The basic needs of aquarium fish are outlined, including enclosure, nutrition, hygiene and enrichment. Various enclosure components like tanks, stands, lighting, filtration and location considerations are examined. Water quality parameters like nitrogen cycling, testing, stocking and changes are covered. Nutrition, maintenance and additional considerations for aquarium husbandry are also summarized.

1. Freshwater and Saltwater
Aquariums
By Jenessa Gjeltema

2. Choose Your Aquarium Type
C o ld w a t e r
A g g r e s s iv e C o m m u n ity
T r o p ic a l
F r e s h w a t e r
R e e f T a n k F is h O n ly
S a lt w a t e r B r a c k is h
A q u a r iu m s
The specific aquarium setup will depend upon the
requirements of the species you choose.

3. Choose Your Aquarium Type

4. Choose Your Aquarium Type

5. Choose Your Aquarium Type

6. Basic Needs
• Appropriate
enclosure/housing
• Nutrition
• Hygiene
• Enrichment

7. Enclosure Components
• Tank
• Stand/Canopy
• Lid/condenser
• Lights
• Temperature Control
• Environmental
Enrichment
• Filtration
• Location
• Water Quality

8. Enclosure Components: Tank
Consider:
Size
Shape
Materials
Convenience
Aesthetics

9. Enclosure Components: Tank

10. Enclosure Components:
Lid/Condenser
Why?
• Keeps fish from
jumping out
• Prevents
evaporation
• Protects lights

11. Enclosure Components: Lighting
Why?
• Plant Growth
• Coral Growth
• Visualizing the
Fish
• Fish health

12. Enclosure Components: Lighting
Considerations:
Fixtures
Ballast
Wavelength
Light Intensity
Reflectors
Photoperiod (12 hours)

13. Enclosure Components:
Temperature Regulation
How?
• Heaters
• Chillers
• Fans
• Ventilation

14. Enclosure Components:
Environmental Enrichment
Why?
• Evasion
• Breeding
• Quality of life
• Express
Personality

15. Enclosure Components:
Environmental Enrichment
Types:
• Wood
• Rocks
• Substrate
• Plants

16. Enclosure Components: Plants
Why?
• Oxygenation
• Waste
removal
• Protection

17. Filtration Systems
Filtration: Mechanical Biological Chemical
Types: Wool, sponge Ceramics,
sponges, rocks
(SURFACE
AREA!!)
Charcoal, zeolite
Purpose: Remove large
particulate waste
Removes fish
waste products
Removes odors,
discoloration,
toxins, and some
waste products

18. Filtration Systems
Considerations
• Tank size
• Stocking capacity
• Water flow
• Breeding
• Aeration

19. Filtration Systems

20. Filtration Systems

21. Filtration Systems
Protein Skimmer: Removes organic
material from marine systems

22. Filtration Systems
Underground filter:
biological and
mechanical

23. Enclosure Components: Location
Avoid:
• windows/direct
sunlight
• drafty doors or
fireplaces
• vibrations/sharp
noises

24. Water Composition: Water Testing

25. Water Composition: Stock Water
• Know what is in your stock water
• Test periodically
• Alternatives available
Test for:
• Chlorines
• Copper
• pH
• Hardness

26. Water Composition: Testing
Fresh Water:
• pH
• Ammonia
• Nitrite
• Nitrate
Salt Water:
• Salinity
Other:
• Phosphate
• Calcium
• Strontium

27. Water Quality: Nitrogen Cycle
badmanstropicalfish.com (originally from www.hagen.com)

28. Water Quality: Nitrogen Cycle
www.cichlid-forum.com

29. Water Quality: Cycling A New Tank
Purpose: grow bacteria for nitrogen cycle
• Takes 4-6 weeks
Tips:
• “Seed” the tank
• Monitor values closely
• Avoid water changes
• Can achieve without fish

30. Water Changes
Why?
• Dilutes waste products
• Corrects pH imbalances
• Can reduce algae
growth

31. Performing Water Changes
• Regular water changes
• 2% every 2 days
• 4% every week
• 20% a month

32. Adding Fish: Acclimation
• Temperature
• Water composition
• Environmental factors
How:
• 15-30 min. for temperature
• 15 minutes for water composition

33. Nutrition
Dry:
Flakes
Pellets
Sticks
Floating
Sinking
Wafers
Seawee
d
Live/Frozen:
Blood Worms
Daphnia
Brine Shrimp
Feeder fish
Plants

34. Nutrition
• Know your fish
• Observe mouth
• Use dry food as staple
• Supplement with
fresh/frozen foods
• Do not overfeed
Picture from Jeremy Gay’s The
Perfect Aquarium

35. Maintenance
Daily:
Feed
Monitor
Lighting
Weekly:
Replace evaporation
Water testing
Clean algae
Empty protein skimmer

36. Maintenance
Monthly:
Charcoal replacement
Plant maintenance
Electrical Inspection
6 mos. To Yearly:
Change light bulbs

37. Additional Considerations
Personal Safety
Euthanasia
Environmental Impact
Veterinary Care

38. References
Axelrod, Herbert. Handbook of Tropical Aquarium Fishes. Neptune City:
TFH Publications. 1983.
Borneman, Eric. Aquarium Corals: Selection, Husbandry, and Natural
History. Neptune City: T.H.F. Publications. 2001.
Fenner, Robert M. The Conscientious Marine Aquarist. Neptune city:
T.F.H Publications. 2001.
Gay, Jeremy. The Perfect Aquarium: The Complete Guide to Setting Up
and Maintaining an Aquarium. New York: Reader’s Digest. 2005.
Hawkins, A.D. Aquarium Systems. London: Academic Press. 1981

39. References
Hemdal, Jay F. Aquarium Fish Breeding. New York: Barron’s. 2003.
Hiscock, Peter. Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants. New York: Barron’s.
2003
Sandford, Gina. The Tropical Aquarium. New York: Barron’s. 2004.
Stoskopf, Michael. Fish Medicine. Philadelphia: W.B. Sauders Co. 1993.
Tullock, John. Water Chemistry for the Marine Aquarium. New York:
Barron’s. 2002.

40. Special Thank You to:
Fish World
and
Aqua Pros

41. Thank You! Questions?
If you would like to learn more about
fish (as well as coral and amphibian)
husbandry, please contact me at
jlgjelte@ncsu.edu.
I can help you get some hands-on
experience!