There is a lot more equipment which is required in a salt water aquarium, especially a salt water reef aquarium.
Equipment requirements can be but not limited to :
* Heaters * Water movement devices * Lighting * Protein skimmers * Calcium reactors * Filtration devices * Auto top up devices * Auto feeders * Nitrate reducers * Phosphate reducers * Stirrers * Reverse osmosis units * Computer controllers * And more??.
With all the information you need to know to start a successful salt water aquarium then only thing you realistically need to know about equipment is what they are for, what is a definitive requirement and what is not.
Of course all equipment is made by various manufacturers and this post cannot go into the detail as to which is the better manufacturer to use and why.
For the potential salt water aquarist who is not really that interested in technology and let's face it not everyone is (except me!) and just wants a salt water aquarium in their home there is another way.
There are salt water aquarium packages which you can purchase. These salt water aquarium packages come in various shapes and sizes and combine everything you need in one handy take home package. The only thing which you will need with one of these packages is the water, salt, filtration and livestock itself. There are some salt water aquarium packages which even come with a reverse osmosis unit, some salt and man made filtration or natural filtration.
With these salt water aquarium packages you really do have everything you need. You simply purchase one, take it home (or have it delivered) set it up, add the salt water, go through the nitrogen cycle and then slowly stock it - easy eh!
The majority of these salt water aquarium packages keep the majority of the equipment either underneath the aquarium in the sump or in a specially designed rear panel which hides all the required equipment from view. The only trouble with the latter is that they do tend to remove a bit of the width of the tank - normally 3-4 inches. Personally if I was going to purchase a package like this I would opt for the sump one, but it really is up to personal choice.
Of course you do not need to go for a predetermined package deal you can approach your local fish shop and ask them to design you a salt water aquarium package. You will be surprised how many shops will accommodate this.
In closing if you are not interested in technology and purely want a salt water aquarium to look after and enjoy but do not want the hassle of purchasing all the required equipment separately then these salt water aquarium packages are certainly worth further investigation.
A UV sterilizer uses an ultraviolet bulb to destroy harmful organisms, such as parasites, viruses, algae, and bacteria. An effective sterilizer, this device works wonders on aquarium water. It works so well that companies often use it to purify water on a larger scale, and to control algae growth in outdoor ponds.
If you have a home aquarium, chances are you already have several filtration units taking care of the water. A UV sterilizer is a good addition to an aquarium, although it should be the last stage of the filtration process. It's important that aquarium water passes through the mechanical filter before moving through the UV unit. The mechanical or canister filter removes solids so that any water that passes through the UV unit afterwards is cleaned with optimal results.
UV sterilizers continue to work well as long as the bulb wattage is sufficient and the bulb isn't too old. The efficiency of the device also depends on the cleanliness of the quartz sleeve and the flow rate of the unit.
The Bulb
As time goes by UV the bulb will start to lose its effectiveness, which is why you should replace it every 6 months. You can purchase bulbs between 8 watts and 130 watts ? a higher wattage does a better job at cleaning the water. Devices with a lower wattage bulb require a lower flow rate to work well.
Flow Rate
The flow rate is also an important factor to consider - a slower flow rate is more effective at killing parasites, in addition to algae and bacteria. The flow rate is measured in either gallons per hour or liters per hour. A device with a 15-watt bulb has no problem controlling algae and bacteria at a 120 gph flow, but it won't kill parasites unless the flow rate drops to 75 gph.
Clean the Quartz
The quartz sleeve is located where the UV bulb fits into the device. A lot of people forget about this part of the UV sterilizer and fail to give it a good cleaning every once in a while. Cleaning removes buildup and ensures that the UV sterilizer continues to work at top capacity. More expensive sterilizers are designed with a wiper handle positioned outside of the device for fast and easy cleaning of the sleeve, without having to take everything apart.
Luckily, it's easy to find UV sterilizers these days, in local stores and online. These devices make a wonderful addition to any aquarium, but they come with a hefty price tag, especially when you factor in the cost of replacement bulbs.
Saltwater aquarium enthusiasts are more likely to purchase UV sterilizers because they improve the quality of the water and offer another layer of protection for expensive saltwater fish.
Although a UV sterilizer is not a necessity, many aquarium hobbyists do find that this device is effective at maintaining clean water and keeping fish and other aquatic life healthy and happy. It all comes down to personal choice and what works best for your aquarium.
Both Pbcunningham & Devin Gilliland are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Pbcunningham has sinced written about articles on various topics from Reef Tanks, Pets and Reef Tanks. Peter Cunningham and John Cunningham combined have been keeping salt water aquarium's for nearly 35 years. Their website provides a wealth of. Pbcunningham's top article generates over 1900 views. to your Favourites.