1. Freshwater and Saltwater Aquariums By Jenessa Gjeltema

2. Choose Your Aquarium Type The specific aquarium setup will depend upon the requirements of the species you choose.

3. Choose Your Aquarium Type

4. Choose Your Aquarium Type

5. Choose Your Aquarium Type

6. Basic Needs • Appropriate enclosure/housing • Nutrition • Hygiene • Enrichment

7. Tank Stand/Canopy Lid/condenser Lights Temperature Control Environmental Enrichment Filtration Location Water Quality Enclosure Components

8. Enclosure Components: Tank Consider: Size Shape Materials Convenience Aesthetics

9. Enclosure Components: Tank

10. Why? Keeps fish from jumping out Prevents evaporation Protects lights Enclosure Components: Lid/Condenser

11. Why? Plant Growth Coral Growth Visualizing the Fish Fish health Enclosure Components: Lighting

12. Enclosure Components: Lighting Considerations: Fixtures Ballast Wavelength Light Intensity Reflectors Photoperiod (12 hours)

13. How? Heaters Chillers Fans Ventilation Enclosure Components: Temperature Regulation

14. Why? Evasion Breeding Quality of life Express Personality Enclosure Components: Environmental Enrichment

15. Enclosure Components: Environmental Enrichment • Types: • Wood • Rocks • Substrate • Plants

16. Enclosure Components: Plants Why? • Oxygenation • Waste removal • Protection

17. Filtration Systems

18. Filtration Systems • Considerations • Tank size • Stocking capacity • Water flow • Breeding • Aeration

19. Filtration Systems

20. Filtration Systems

21. Filtration Systems Protein Skimmer: Removes organic material from marine systems

22. Filtration Systems Underground filter: biological and mechanical

23. Avoid: windows/direct sunlight drafty doors or fireplaces vibrations/sharp noises Enclosure Components: Location

24. Water Composition: Water Testing

25. Water Composition: Stock Water • Know what is in your stock water • Test periodically • Alternatives available Test for: • Chlorines • Copper • pH • Hardness

26. Fresh Water: pH Ammonia Nitrite Nitrate Water Composition: Testing • Salt Water: • Salinity • Other: • Phosphate • Calcium • Strontium

27. Water Quality: Nitrogen Cycle badmanstropicalfish.com (originally from www.hagen.com)

28. Water Quality: Nitrogen Cycle www.cichlid-forum.com

29. Water Quality: Cycling A New Tank Purpose: grow bacteria for nitrogen cycle • Takes 4-6 weeks Tips: • “Seed” the tank • Monitor values closely • Avoid water changes • Can achieve without fish

30. Water Changes Why? • Dilutes waste products • Corrects pH imbalances • Can reduce algae growth

31. Performing Water Changes • Regular water changes • 2% every 2 days • 4% every week • 20% a month

32. Adding Fish: Acclimation • Temperature • Water composition • Environmental factors How: • 15-30 min. for temperature • 15 minutes for water composition

33. Nutrition Dry: Flakes Pellets Sticks Floating Sinking Wafers Seaweed Live/Frozen: Blood Worms Daphnia Brine Shrimp Feeder fish Plants

34. Nutrition • Know your fish • Observe mouth • Use dry food as staple • Supplement with fresh/frozen foods • Do not overfeed Picture from Jeremy Gay’s The Perfect Aquarium

35. Maintenance Daily: Feed Monitor Lighting Weekly: Replace evaporation Water testing Clean algae Empty protein skimmer

36. Maintenance Monthly: Charcoal replacement Plant maintenance Electrical Inspection 6 mos. To Yearly: Change light bulbs

37. Additional Considerations Personal Safety Euthanasia Environmental Impact Veterinary Care

38. References Axelrod, Herbert. Handbook of Tropical Aquarium Fishes. Neptune City: TFH Publications. 1983. Borneman, Eric. Aquarium Corals: Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History. Neptune City: T.H.F. Publications. 2001. Fenner, Robert M. The Conscientious Marine Aquarist. Neptune city: T.F.H Publications. 2001. Gay, Jeremy. The Perfect Aquarium: The Complete Guide to Setting Up and Maintaining an Aquarium. New York: Reader’s Digest. 2005. Hawkins, A.D. Aquarium Systems. London: Academic Press. 1981

39. References Hemdal, Jay F. Aquarium Fish Breeding. New York: Barron’s. 2003. Hiscock, Peter. Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants. New York: Barron’s. 2003 Sandford, Gina. The Tropical Aquarium. New York: Barron’s. 2004. Stoskopf, Michael. Fish Medicine. Philadelphia: W.B. Sauders Co. 1993. Tullock, John. Water Chemistry for the Marine Aquarium. New York: Barron’s. 2002.

40. Special Thank You to: Fish World and Aqua Pros

41. Thank You! Questions? If you would like to learn more about fish (as well as coral and amphibian) husbandry, please contact me at jlgjelte@ncsu.edu. I can help you get some hands-on experience!