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How Difficult Is It To Keep a Marine Aquarium?

For many people who dream of that beautiful coral reef in their living room, the first thing that comes to mind when first starting out is the difficulty of keeping a Marine Aquarium. Marine aquariums are intricate ecosystems that need meticulous upkeep and attention, however the process is not as daunting as some people think. In this blog post, we'll go over some of the elements that make maintaining a marine aquarium challenging overall as well as solutions to said challenges, as we ask the question...

How Difficult Is It to Keep a Marine Aquarium?

First of all, compared to freshwater aquariums, marine aquariums are more challenging to set up. A marine aquarium's water chemistry is more complex and calls for the maintenance of more exact conditions.

For instance, it's important to carefully monitor and modify the water's salinity, temperature and nutrient levels, those being Nitrate and Phosphate.

Moreover, particular aquarium supplies like protein skimmers, sumps, and high end lighting systems are needed for the very best marine aquariums; which can be a daunting financial prospect for many.

How do I maintain a Marine Aquarium, and How Much Time Does it Take?

Marine Aquariums can require, depending on the setup, a lot of care, patience and passion to be healthy long term. As with all Aquariums, regular water changes, testing, and cleaning are required.

With Marine Aquariums, proper maintenance of Salinity Levels, as well as the use of a purified water source to top up for evaporation and control salinity swings, such as RO (Reverse Osmosis) water, is required.

This may require a few hours set aside for maintenance each week, depending on the size of the aquarium and its inhabitants.

As for testing Salinity, we recommend the DD H2Ocean Refractometer. This is a cheap, reliable means to test salinity daily that we've used in store and on our personal tanks for over a decade!

$DD H2Ocean Refractometer$

The Three Pillars Of Success

As a general rule for Marine Aquariums, you need three things to be successful. Good water quality, Good water flow and Good lighting. Choose the best tank and equipment your budget will allow and focus on stabilty as a priority. If you do that, you're three quarters of the way there. To quote a true great of the Aquarium Keeping hobby, DD Managing Director David Saxby, "you don't keep fish, you keep water". In a nutshell, If the water is healthy, all of your livestock will be healthy.

Potential Pitfalls

Compared to Freshwater Aquariums, Marine Aquariums are more prone to issues. Because they are more vulnerable to alterations in the water's chemistry, marine fish and invertebrates can get stressed or ill from even little changes. In a Marine Aquarium, parasites and diseases can also spread quickly, and controlling them can be challenging.

There are thankfully, many easy solutions to controlling disease in a Marine Aquarium, such as Polyp Lab Medic. A reef safe treatment that is always handy to have on hand, as us and many of our customers can attest.

How Much Does It Cost To Maintain a Marine Aquarium?

Fourthly, the cost of maintaining a marine aquarium can be high. Specialised equipment, high-quality salt mix, and live rock and sand can be expensive. Additionally, some species of marine fish and invertebrates are more expensive than their freshwater counterparts.

The Importance Of Doing Research

When it come do doing your research for a Marine Aquarium, knowledge is power. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will be when it comes to choosing your tank, equipment and livestock.

It's crucial however to keep in mind when conducting research that not all marine fish and invertebrate species are suited for confinement. Certain species are challenging to maintain in an aquarium setting and could need specific care. Some are simply too big or intimidating for the majority of home aquariums.

Conclusion

In conclusion, keeping a Marine Aquarium is a challenging but rewarding hobby. It is a labor of love at its finest, and the key ingredient to success is passion. When everything is right, there is no sight more beautiful than a Marine Aquarium.