sera guide - Marine aquariums

2 Contents 1. Tropic seas, an extremely diverse habitat ................................. 4 1.1 Live rock .......................................... 5 1.2 Which animals are suitable? ............ 5 2. Marine water biotope suggestions ... 11 2.1 Biotope: Clownfish, anemone ......... 12 2.2 Biotope: Reef pool ........................... 15 2.3 Biotope: Gobies, pistol shrimps........ 18 3. Technical equipment and filtration ... 21 3.1 Compact aquariums for an easy start into the marine world ................ 21 3.2 The optimal light .............................. 22 3.3 The correct water temperature ........ 23 3.4 Water purification............................. 24 4. The correct location ......................... 30 5. Sea salt: The basis for life in a marine aquarium .............................. 31 5.1 How to condition tap water ............. 31 5.2 How to prepare marine water .......... 32 5.3 How to measure salinity .................. 32 6. Setup ............................................... 33 6.1 Bottom gravel .................................. 33 6.2 Live rock .......................................... 34 7. Filling in marine water ...................... 35 7.1 Starting filtration and technical equipment ....................................... 35 7.2 Topping up water ............................. 35 8. Watch your aquarium come to life ... 36 8.1 The first days – “The activation phase”..................... 36 8.2 How to introduce and acclimatize the animals ...................................... 37 9. Regular maintenance ....................... 38 9.1 Feeding ............................................ 38 9.2 Water changes ................................. 41 9.3 Supplying trace elements, calcium and macro elements .......... 42 9.4 Monitoring and adjusting pH value, carbonate hardness and carbon dioxide .......................... 46 9.5 Monitoring ammonium, nitrite and nitrate........................................ 49 9.6 Checking the water.......................... 52 9.7 Cleaning the filter media .................. 54 9.8 Removing excess algae ................... 54 9.9 Removing deposits .......................... 54 9.10 Testing the lighting........................... 54 10. When you are on a vacation ............ 55 11. What to do in case an animal gets ill .............................. 56