Just invested in a beginner salt water fish tank? Well you have got your work cut out for you, but in the end you will find that it is a worthwhile endeavor because of the exquisite beauty and mystery that this piece of the ocean will add to your home or office. There are many things to consider when setting up a salt water fish tank before you can even begin looking at saltwater fish on sale.

The size of your new salt water fish aquarium will make a huge difference to your future salt water tropical fish, so it is important to consider this decision carefully. Remember that you will not want to move the aquarium once you have it filled with water, and also remember that a tank any smaller than 55-gallon capacity will be too small. So you will need to measure the space where the aquarium will sit and purchase the largest tank that will fit in that space.

When you start setting up a salt water fish tank in your home or office, you'll need to decide what kind of pump and filter you will need to adequately filter and recycle the water in the tank. A temperature gauge is also vital to ensure the water is within the correct temperature range for the health of your particular breed of salt water tropical fish, and of course you'll need a heater as well. Fish nets, saltwater test kits, saltwater fish food, cleaning apparatus and some rocks, live coral and other decorations should also be on hand.

It's a good idea to know in advance what kind of saltwater fish you want to keep, and if you're a complete novice you'll want to chat with an expert. Some of the saltwater fish on sale that look fairly small can grow to more than 12 inches in length, while others may only grow an inch. Setting up a salt water fish tank can take a while, and it might be up to six weeks before the aquarium is ready to add the fish.