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Learn how to care for large marine fish, recommended diet and habitat setup. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Learn how to care for soft coral, recommended care & habitat setup. Find the right food, supplies & equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Learn about nitrates in your saltwater aquarium. Find out what is safe for your fish and how to improve your aquarium’s nitrate levels.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Find out what tools you’ll need and discover the best way to get your aquarium back on track without starting over and find out how to maintain a clean fish tank.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
Wondering how much it costs to set up and maintain an aquarium? Find out the costs of freshwater versus saltwater tanks in our fish cost guide, complete with handy charts outlining common costs.
Updated on November 13th, 2025
If your are using a product such as Instant Ocean ( www.instantocean.com ) or Reef Crystals ( http://www.instantocean.com/Products/Sea-Salt-Mixes/reef-crystals-sea-salt.aspx ), then directions will be on the container. Other products may also include instructions. The amount of sea salt will depend on the specific gravity you desire. Ocean water, or water used in marine tanks, has a specific gravity of 1.025, so you will need to dissolve enough salt into a quantity of water to reach that level. You will need to allow for 24 hours to make sure the salt has completely dissolved. If you want a step by step guide, click the link below. http://www.saltwatersmarts.com/guide-to-mixing-saltwater-517/
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Do not use plain aquarium salt or table salt. To make brackish water, you need marine salt. You will also need a hydrometer to measure specific gravity. A hydrometer can be found in the aquarium section of most pet stores They cost $15 or less. Depending on the species of fish you have, brackish water will need a SG between 1.005 and 1.010. One tablespoon of marine salt per gallon of water will create brackish water at the lower end of the SG range. Yes, you will need a conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramine before you add the marine salt.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Thanks for reaching out, the rule of thumb is 1" of fish per 3 gallons, but smaller tanks are very difficult to keep stable, and saltwater fish are easily stressed by environmental fluctuations (salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen). Good luck.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
RO water is devoid of minerals and trace elements that help stabilize pH and other parameters. If you can add these after filtration then use your RO water. Otherwise, RO is commonly used to "top off" fish tanks that lose water via evaporation.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
A fish tank will need a filter, a light/hood and a heater. Make sure the filter is rated for at least twice the tank volume. The heater should be adjustable since water temperature will depend on the species of fish. Good "starter" fish include Tetras, Mollies, Danios or Tetras. A new tank should be set up and left running empty for several weeks before adding fish. A pinch of flake food can be sprinkled in daily. This "cycling" will allow a population of beneficial bacteria to colonize the tank and filter. These bacteria will break down wastes (ammonia, nitrites and nitrates) which are toxic to fish.
Updated on August 12th, 2025