Saltwater Fish Tank - What Should I Buy

It's always best to choose the largest saltwater fish tank that you can afford and have the space for. The larger your tank, the more easily you will be able to provide a stable environment for your fish.

Try for a minimum of 32 gallons to start with. That way, when there are changes in your marine environment, they are less likely to adversely affect your fish. Of course, keep in mind the added expense of a larger tank, adding more rock and more fish.

Also, try to maximize your tank's width, instead of choosing an aquarium that is high. Because the light comes from the top of your tank, if you have a deep tank, it will be more difficult to provide proper lighting. You'll need extra lights in a deep tank and you'll need to consider that in your budget. It is also more difficult to work (ex. moving rock, cleaning and removing fish) in a deep tank.

You may also want to buy an extra smaller tank where you can quarantine new fish before adding them to your main tank. This will help reduce the introduction of disease and hopefully keep your casualties to a minimum.

Recommended: You'll find more information on starting your own saltwater aquarium, we recommend picking up the Complete Encyclopedia of the Saltwater Aquarium.

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