Tips For Starting A Saltwater Tank - A Beginners Guide

So you want to start a saltwater tank? Awesome and good for you! You don't need to have FW experience, but a little understanding goes a LONG way. Here is a brief summary of things to consider when starting a SW tank. This is in no way a complete list, it's just a list of the most basic things you need to consider when starting a salt tank. Be sure to read up on topics and do plenty of research before starting anything because salt tanks are more costly then fresh.

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Freshwater Aquarium Setup - Fish Tank Setup

This freshwater aquarium setup article explains how to set up a basic freshwater fish tank. We'll start with a short list of the equipment you'll need and then give you a step by step guide on setting up or starting your first freshwater fish tank.

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Are You Making These Mistakes Setting Up A New Aquarium?

With the availability of mini-aquarium packages it's become appealing to go small. However, for beginners, choosing a small aquarium is courting failure. Why? Because when the water volume is small, key water parameters change very quickly, leaving no room for error.

Starting Too Small

Even experienced aquarists are challenged by a small aquarium. Newcomers to the hobby, stay away from tanks under 20 gallons until they've gotten some experience under their belt. Remember, the bigger the tank, the less impact a mistake will have on the fish.

Adding Fish Too Soon

New aquarium owners are eager to add fish, often the same day they set up the tank. Some are lucky but many will quickly lose some, or all, of their fish. What went wrong? The water in a new tank hasn't stabilized yet. Gases are dissolved in the water, as well as minerals, heavy metals, and chemicals added by local water treatment facilities.

Without going into lengthy detail about water chemistry, suffice it to say that dissolved constituents in the water can harm the fish. Aquarium water should be treated to neutralize harmful materials, and allowed to stand for a day or so to allow dissolved gases to escape and the pH to stabilize. Only then is it safe to introduce fish to the aquarium.

Adding Too Many Fish at Once

The fish owner isn't eager to fill the tank with fish? Unfortunately adding too many fish all at once is another common new owner mistake. Until the bacterial colonies have fully established, the aquarium cannot safely support a full load of fish. Only add a couple of
small hardy fish initially. Wait until both the ammonia and nitrite levels 
have risen, and then fallen to zero, before adding more fish.

Overstocking

Even getting through the initial startup, it's very common for new owners to overstock the aquarium. Although an experienced person may successfully keep a school of twenty small fish in a ten gallon aquarium, it would be disastrous for a beginner to attempt it.

Debate exists over the inch per gallon rule, but it provides a good basic yardstick from which to start. I recommend taking eighty percent of the net gallons of water in the tank as the maximum number of inches of fish to keep in the tank. The net gallons of water is the amount of water actually placed in the aquarium after the gravel and decorations a in it.

For example, lets say an aquarium holds 16 gallons of water after the decorations and gravel have been added. Multiplying a 16 times 80% yields a result of 12.8 - or about 13 inches of fish as a maximum number. It is always wise to go under the maximum to rather than all over.

Keeping Incompatible Fish

New aquarium owners often choose fish that look appealing to them, without knowing the environmental needs of the fish. Some fish may fight with one another, or require widely different water conditions. Either way, they should not be kept together. Always research each species before choosing tank mates. Select peaceful fish that thrive in similar water conditions.

Overfeeding

The number one mistake made by fish owners is overfeeding their fish. Fish are opportunistic and will seek food at all times. Just because they appear hungry, doesn't mean they need to be fed all the time. Feed them no more than is completely consumed in five minutes.

During startup feed fish no more than once per day, and during critical times when ammonia or nitrite levels are high, withhold feeding for a day or two to reduce the wastes being produced. Fish can easily go several days without food, and not suffer ill effects.

Insufficient Filtration

An aquarium filter should filter all the water in the tank through it at least three times per hour. If it doesn't, it is too small. If in doubt about filter size, move to the next size up. You can't over-filter, but you can definitely under-filter, and the results can be harmful to your fish.

Not Testing the Water

New owners aren't magically given full knowledge of the nitrogen cycle, and the need to monitor the water chemistry in their aquarium. As a result they often are unaware of the need to test their water, and fail to take steps to deal with harmful toxins.

When the tank is first set up, it should be allowed to run for a day or two. Before adding the fish the pH, hardness, ammonia, and nitrite levels should be tested for a baseline record. During the startup cycle it is important to test the ammonia and nitrites often (see Nitrogen Cycle for details). Once the tank is well established, test the water monthly to be aware of unseen problems that may be brewing. If fish suddenly die, test the water to see if anything has changed.

Not Changing the Water 

On other area that new owners aren't always educated about is aquarium maintenance, which includes changing part of the water on a regular basis. Wastes build up in the tank that can only be removed by vacuuming the gravel and removing some of water and replacing it with fresh water.

Although your fish may not die if you fail to maintenance and regular water changes, they will be stressed by substandard water conditions. As a result they will be more susceptible to disease and often will have a shorter lifespan than they should have.

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Giant Octopus Was Caught on Video Trying to Escape His Glass Display Tank at the Seattle Aquarium

Seattle, Washington - A giant octopus was caught on video trying to escape his large glass display tank at the Seattle Aquarium. As he was reaching several tentacles over its open top, an employee pushes him back in.

Aquarium officials say the octopus, named Ink, was not attempting to escape, but learning to explore his new home.

Once back inside the top was fastened to keep him inside.

Ink is one of two new giant Pacific octopuses on display at the aquarium.

Another octopus is being kept in separate tank at the aquarium because the species is solitary by nature. They have a shore lifespan of usually 3 - 4 year.

Next year, Ink will be released back into the wild as part of an ongoing education and conservation program for the species.


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Long-Term Considerations for a Successful Reef Tank

A lot of aquarists tell me that the most exciting part of a reef is setting it up and stocking the tank. For others, the excitement comes from watching the reef develop and change over time. A reef tank is certainly a long-term commitment. I often remember reading German articles, where they would describe a one year-old reef as a new system. There are certainly a lot of things that change within a reef aquarium over time. And what I'm discovering is that the habits and practices of the reef keeper have to change over time as well. This article is intended to address long-term concerns, and suggest steps a reefkeeper should consider taking with a reef aquarium that he/she intends to keep for many years.

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Step by Step Reef Aquarium Setup

If you've ever dreamed of having a spectacular reef aquarium in your home, but think you lack the time, funds, or knowledge required, think again! Creating a beautiful reef ecosystem does not have to be complicated. The following five easy steps will help simplify the process. In a period of just 12 weeks, you too can enjoy the colorful beauty of a home reef aquarium for many years.

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You Will No Longer Be Able to Feed the Dolphins at SeaWorld Orlando - A New Program, Starting in March, Will Allow You to Only Touch and Interact With the Dolphins

You will no longer be able to feed the dolphins at SeaWorld Orlando. A new program, starting in March, will allow you to only touch and interact with the dolphins.

The new program starting on March 2, will cost $15, and will be a reservation-only package, that allows small groups to spend several minutes touching and interacting with dolphins but not feeding them.

"Dolphin Cove will continue to provide areas where all guests are able to view dolphins up close, and interact with animals that choose to interact with them," said spokeswoman Becca Bides in an emailed statement on Tuesday.

Conservationists hailed the move as an incremental improvement in the treatment of captive marine mammals, saying the feeding pools are dangerous.

"It’s out of date, out of style and it’s full of risk," said Courtney Vail, campaign and program manager for the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.

Vail said dolphins have been harmed in large feeding programs fighting over food and by guests dropping objects into the pools, not washing their hands and touching the dolphins’ eyes or blowholes. Guests occasionally are bitten, she said.

Vail said feeding programs encourage people to feed dolphins in the wild, leading to dolphin-boat collisions and teaching dolphins to beg rather than forage.

Vail said most aquariums other than SeaWorld ended feeding programs years ago.

Feeding of dolphins will remain a part of SeaWorld’s sister park in Orlando, Discovery Cove, where a limited number of guests touch, feed and swim with dolphins.

SeaWorld San Diego ended its large group feeding program in 2012, followed by the San Antonio park in 2013, according to Bides. Those parks still allow guests in small group interaction programs to feed dolphins.

Attendance at SeaWorld Orlando park took a hit after a 2013 documentary focused on its captive killer whale program, and in particular on Tilikum, formerly a performing a killer whale that drowned trainer Dawn Brancheau.

Her death led a federal administrative judge to order the theme park to maintain barriers between trainers and the whales.

In August, the company announced a planned expansion of the whale pools, and a $10 million contribution to killer whale research.

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Divers Remove Invasive Surgeonfish

Two women scuba diving beneath Palm Beach County’s Blue Heron Bridge during the Thanksgiving holiday spotted a bright yellow fish about four inches long they had never seen before.

Some divers might have just admired it, snapped photos and kept swimming, but Deb Devers and Lureen Ferretti reported it to the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) — a Key Largo-based non-profit organization that serves as a regional clearinghouse for control of exotic marine fish species.

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French Authorities Shut Seafront Over Fears Beached Animal May Blow Up - They May Have To Use Dynamite On It

French officials face a race against time to dispose of a beached whale - before it explodes with potentially fatal consequences.

The decaying 15-ton carcass has become so bloated with gas there is a high chance it could burst, wildlife experts have warned.

Authorities are now desperately trying to work out the best way of getting rid of it - and may even blow it up with dynamite.

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Are You Looking To Adopt A Small Pet? The Washington Humane Society Has Fish, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Gerbils, And 13 Hamsters Available For Adoption

We have a bunch of small fluffs in the form of baby hamsters who are looking to find homes! You can visit them at our Georgia Avenue Adoption Center.

See all of our tiny fuzzballs when you select "Other" from the drop down menu at www.washhumane.org/adopt.

We have available: Fish, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Gerbils, and 13 Hamsters!

I have checked their website, and pick out some of my favorites…hope they will be yours too!

Leonard 
Animal ID: 23967583
Species: Rabbit
Breed: Rabbit/Rabbit
Age: 1 year 7 months 9 days
Sex: Male
Size: Small
Color: White/Brown
Spayed/Neutered
Declawed: No
Site: WHS / DC Animal Care and Control
Location: Adoptions Lobby

                                   Leonard has some very beautiful and unique markings!

To learn more about Leonard, click HERE.

Cortadito
Animal ID: 24229679
Species: Small&Furry
Breed: Guinea Pig/Purebred
Age: 1 year 9 days
Sex: Female
Size: Medium
Color: White/Black
Declawed: No
Site: WHS / DC Animal Care and Control
Location: Exotics Room





To learn more about Cortadito, click HERE.

Grayson
Animal ID: 23358314
Species: Small&Furry
Breed: Gerbil/Purebred
Age: 2 years 3 months 23 days
Sex: Male
Size: Small
Color: Brown
Declawed: No
Site: WHS / DC Animal Care and Control
Location: Adoptions Lobby







To learn more about Grayson, click HERE.

Fish3
Animal ID: 24219514
Species: Reptile
Breed: Fish/Purebred
Age
Sex: Unknown
Size: Small
Color: Orange
Declawed: No
Site: WHS / DC Animal Care and Control
Location: Exotics Room


,
To learn more about Fish3, click HERE.

Freya
Animal ID: 22320155
Species: Rabbit
Breed: Rabbit/Purebred
Age 1 year 7 months 15 days
Sex: Female
Size: Medium
Color: White
Spayed/Neutered
Declawed: No
Site: WHS Georgia Ave
Location: Small Animals

To learn more about Freya, click HERE.

OJ
Animal ID: 23741975
Species: Small&Furry
Breed :Guinea Pig/Purebred
Age: 1 year 2 months 7 days
Sex: Male
Size: Small
Color: Black/White
Declawed: No
Site: WHS Georgia Ave
Location: Small Animals

To learn more about OJ, click HERE.

Hamsters
Animal ID: 24130820
Species: Small&Furry
Breed: Hamster/Purebred
Age: 1 month 26 days
Sex: Female and Male
Size: Small
Color: Brown
Declawed: No
Site: WHS Georgia Ave
Location: Small Animal

To learn more about these cute little hamsters, click HERE.

There are 11 Female and 2 Male Hamsters available, so come by and adopt…one…two…or even…three!

If you are interested in adopting any of these adorable animals, please read:
Steps to Adopt
Locations and Hours

Looking for a larger animal? The Washington Humane Society also has cats, kittens, dogs and cats available for adoption.

See all of their available animals, go to their website, www.washhumane.org/adopt, click on "Find Your New Pet." Then select your choice (cat, dog)  from the drop down menu.

If you can't adopt at this time, but would like to make a donation to help all of the animals at WHS, click HERE.

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Massive, Multicolored Lobster Fetches $95,000

56-pound crustacean dubbed 'the god of lobsters' during an intense bidding war at a Chinese fish market; 'I couldn’t believe it when the price just kept going up'

A Chinese fisherman must have thought it was his lucky day recently when he hauled from the depths a gigantic tropical rock lobster.

But Zheng Lee Pan he could not have imagined how lucky the catch would turn out to be.

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Fish Attacks Kitten, Turns Out Kitten Gets Away

Has nature gone cray?

Viral video shows a fish leaping out of the water to seemingly attack two curious cats.

As one kitty peers over the pond's edge, the other climbs onto its companion's back for a better view. Then the fish, speculated in some reports to be a pike in a Japanese koi carp pond, strikes.

The unexpected turn is not as shocking as it might seem.

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Fish Leaps from a Pond to Snatch Curious Cat in its Jaws and Drag it Beneath the Surface

A curious kitten got more than it bargained for when eyeing up a meal.

In this remarkable video, a kitten is dragged into a pond by a fish at least twice its size after it got a little too close to its prey.

The footage, filmed in Japan, shows the kitten edging closer and closer to the pond's surface, transfixed by the koi carp passing underneath it.

To read more on this story, click here: Fish Leaps from a Pond to Snatch Curious Cat in its Jaws and Drag it Beneath the Surface

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Eleven Members of Brazilian Family Seriously Ill After Unintentionally Eating World's Most Venomous Fish for Dinner

Eleven members of the same Brazilian family are in a critical condition in hospital after unwittingly cooking up the world's deadliest fish for their supper, it was reported today.

The pufferfish was caught by members of the Souza family while fishing near Duque de Caxias and contained a toxin 1,200 times more lethal than cyanide - a drop of which can kill within 24 hours.

The poison paralyses the muscles while the victim remains fully conscious, eventually dying of asphyxiation when the venom reaches the diaphragm.

To read more on this story, click here: Eleven Members of Brazilian Family Seriously Ill After Unintentionally Eating World's Most Venomous Fish for Dinner

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Watch: Drones Monitor Killer Whales For First Time

For the first time, researchers are using unmanned drones to study killer whales in their natural habitat.

The Vancouver Aquarium, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries are trying to figure out how killer whales without enough food to eat are surviving.

To read more on this story, click here: Watch: Drones Monitor Killer Whales For First Time

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How to Raise a Piranha

Piranhas can make interesting pets with their full sets of sharp teeth and their fast and furious attack skills. Keeping piranhas is a bigger commitment than keeping other fish as pets -- they require lots of space, and they can live more than 20 years in captivity. Meanwhile, their food and water temperature needs are rather simple to accommodate.

Room to Move
Piranhas can seem cute when they're small and hiding among tank decorations much of the day, but they don't stay small. Depending on the species, adult piranha can be 12 to 16 inches long.

They come from river environments and live best in large tanks -- a 100-gallon tank suits a single adult piranha; add 20 gallons for each additional piranha. Red-bellied piranhas tend to school in the wild, so you can likely keep a few in the same tank, although they might attack each other at some point. If you're keeping a black piranha as a pet, house him alone -- he's just as likely to eat another piranha as the dinner you provide him.

Ringing the Dinner Bell
Piranhas aren't strictly carnivores, although meat is definitely their meal of choice. If you have aquatic plants in your tank, you might see your fish take a few bites here and there. They also eat fish pellets and flakes occasionally, and they can benefit from the vitamin boost these foods provide. But for most of their meals, plan on feeding protein such as krill, mealworms, earthworms or feeder fish. Unless you raise your own under controlled conditions, thaw frozen versions of these foods or buy live ones from reputable fish food suppliers. Avoid grabbing insects and worms from your yard -- they might have ingested chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides, which they can transfer to your piranha.

Juvenile fish need to be fed up to four times per day, while sub-adults usually need food about twice a day. Feed mature adults about once every two days.

Home Sweet Tank
Piranhas can survive in a variety of tank conditions, but they prefer a water temperature of between 78 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit and a sandy substrate. Juveniles are especially fond of aquatic plants. In the wild, they spend much of their time hiding from predators until they reach their adult sizes. However, adults enjoy swimming among the plants as well. They also like large pieces of driftwood that offer secluded places to rest.

Keeping It on the Up and Up
Before buying a piranha for a pet, check with your local and state regulations. Many states ban piranhas because people sometimes release them into the wild; introducing non-native species can wreak havoc on your local environment. Non-native species can compete with indigenous ones for food, sometimes endangering the other species' survival. Also, state governments often don't want to risk local fisherman catching piranhas unexpectedly and potentially becoming injured. Even if you have no intention of releasing a pet piranha, always follow local regulations.

Safety First
Owning a piranha means taking a few precautions to ensure he doesn't decide your hand looks tasty for dinner. Even small, a piranha has razor-sharp teeth that can easily bite through your skin; as an adult, he can bite through bone to remove entire fingers. To prevent injury to yourself, never dip your hand in the water to feed a piranha. Also, don't place a hand with a wound, even a small scratch, in or near the top of the water -- the blood might attract the piranha, who swims powerfully enough to jump out of the water.

Clean the tank with long tools instead of putting your arm inside, and use a net to catch your fish when it's necessary to move him. He can bite through the net, so don't stabilize him with your hand. Instead, hold a second net under the first to catch the fish if he bites a hole in the first net and falls through.

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The Discovery of a Terrifying Sea Monster? No, This Writhing Mass Of tentacles is a Bizarre Relative of the Starfish

The discovery of a terrifying sea monster? No, this writhing mass of tentacles caught off the Singapore coast is just a bizarre relative of the starfish

It may look like an alien, or even a monstrous moving plant, but this incredibly complex-looking creature is a relative of the starfish.

The basket star (Gorgonocephalus caputmedusae) was caught off the coast of Singapore and continues to wave its arms after it is pulled out of water in this video.
It actually has five arms, which are each split into more dexterous 'branchlets', which it uses to catch prey underwater.

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58-Foot Dead Finback Whale Found on Long Island Beach

Shirley, New York - Authorities are investigating the death of 58-foot finback whale that washed ashore on an eastern Long Island beach.

Kimberly Durham of the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation says the whale was spotted Thursday morning at Smith Point County Park beach in Shirley.

Durham says a forensic examination is being conducted to determine a cause of death. She says the whale shows signs of advanced decomposition, requiring an internal examination.

The foundation is working with county officials on how to dispose of the whale.

Durham says finback whales have been spotted off eastern Long Island frequently in recent months.

She says a dead leatherback turtle also was found nearby on Tuesday. The two discoveries appear unrelated.

The turtle was buried on the beach.

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Shark Vs Shark: Giant Great White Attacks Another Great White

A vicious great white shark bursts from the water to rip into another shark.

The sensational moment was caught on camera by Adam Malski, 33, as the fish proved why it has the reputation of the ocean’s most fearsome predator.

The 4.8m shark, named ‘Gilbert’attacked the rival fish 50 miles from Australia’s shore. The larger animal survived the encounter but the smaller shark has not been sighted since.  Isn’t this incredible?

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Man Adrift At Sea for 30 Hours Says, " A Porpoise Gave Me Purpose"

A fisherman who spent 30 hours adrift at sea after his boat capsized has said he found the strength to survive through an encounter with a friendly porpoise.

Joey Trevino, 37, credited the creature with keeping him going when he was alone in the rocky waters off the Gulf of Mexico and all hoped seemed lost.

The father, from San Antonio, Texas, had been on a fishing trip with his uncle and two friends last Saturday when their 25ft boat began to take on water and sank, ABC News reported.

Joey Trevino, 37, was on a fishing trip with his uncle and two friends when their 25-foot boat sank in the rocky waters off the Gulf of Mexico Saturday. the father was adrift at sea for 30 hours before he was rescued.

"We noticed all the water coming on board and, the whole front of the boat started going up," Mr Trevino told the news channel.

All three men were wearing life vests, but Mr. Trevino drifted away from his companions, who were spotted by another vessel on Sunday and pulled to safety after 24 hours at sea.

Mr. Trevino waited alone for help to arrive and thought about his wife and children to give him the strength to keep going.

"You're looking at the clouds," he said. "You're looking at whatever to try to keep you focused."

Alone at sea, Mr. Trevino said that as he drifted he encountered a porpoise which gave him the strength to fight on and eventually swim to safety.

"He kind of bumped me, and I kind of rubbed him, and he kind of changed my attitude right there," Mr. Trevino said. "He kind of ... gives you hope."

Mr Trevino said the porpoise (file picture) changed his attitude and gave him hope of survival.

Despite bumps and bruises, along with cuts on his hands and a hoarse voice, Mr Trevino was lucky to escape without major injuries. The warm water temperatures of the Gulf of Mexico helped him avoid hypothermia.

Mr Trevino held on until crew members from an oil tanker heard his cries for help and called the Coast Guard who lifted him to safety.

"When he came up, he seemed very aware of his surroundings," said the Coast Guard's Guy Walkner. "He was shaking. We were able to give him a blanket."

Despite a few bumps and bruises, along with cuts on his hands and a hoarse voice, Mr. Trevino was lucky to escape without any major injuries.

The warm water temperatures of the Gulf of Mexico, which are in the mid-80s, helped him avoid the danger of hypothermia, despite the many hours he spent at sea.

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