Saltwater
Good water quality is key to starting a successful aquarium and keeping it healthy for your fish, since aquarium water quality to fish is as important as the quality of air we breathe as humans. Choose from the categories below to learn more about best saltwater aquarium practices.
When starting a new freshwater aquarium or changing your water, it is necessary to use a water conditioner that will eliminate harmful chemicals, such as chlorine, chloramines, and heavy metals, from your source water before adding to your tank. API® STRESS COAT™ water conditioner, API® TAP WATER CONDITIONER™ treatment as well as API® AQUA ESSENTIAL™ are products that will make tap water safe for fish by neutralizing the chemicals commonly found in tap water. STRESS COAT water conditioner contains the healing power of Aloe Vera to protect your fish’s slime coat, which guards against bacteria and disease, and promotes healing and regeneration of damaged tissue, reducing fish stress by up to 40%. All these treatments work instantly to dechlorinate aquarium water, so you can start enjoying your underwater world right away.
After starting a new saltwater aquarium or performing a filter or tank maintenance (like a water change) on an establish tank, the addition of beneficial bacteria are required to kick start the nitrogen cycle in your tank. This cycle can take two to six weeks to fully establish in a new aquarium and will be necessary for the health of your fish. Without these beneficial nitrifying bacteria, toxic ammonia quickly builds up in the aquarium and will stress the fish. The all-natural, API® QUICK START™ nitrifying bacteria formula immediately starts the nitrogen cycle with the correct beneficial nitrifying bacteria, which convert toxic ammonia into nitrite, then into harmless nitrate to help prevent fish loss in your saltwater tank.
In order for saltwater fish to thrive, the pH in the aquarium must be maintained at a level similar to their natural habitat. pH can fluctuate with the addition of rocks, plants, corals, and new fish to an aquarium, so it is important to test your levels weekly to ensure they remain in a healthy range for your fish. The ideal pH range is 7.8 – 8.5 for most saltwater fish and corals. Keeping salinity constant will help to keep a desired pH level, as most salt mixes contain pH buffers. Testing your water with API® pH TEST STRIPS will help to monitor your aquarium’s pH level.