Where Can I Find Out About The Basics Of Saltwater?

[daniel505480]

I've been keeping freshwater fish for years and I'm curious on finding out about the differences in maitaining saltwater as opposed to freshwater. I have many tanks and I'm thinking of setting one up as a saltwater tank finally. I'm interested in the differences in filtration and how the nitrogen cycle is accomplished for the most part. Please help, if you can point me in the right direction, if there is a saltwater dictionary online or something... I would appreciate knowing what role each piece of equipment plays in a typical setup and what types of equipment most fishkeepers have. Thanks in advance.

 

[SkiFletch]

I'd start by feeling your way through the stickies atop the marine and reef chit chat section. Some GREAT info there. Little is different about the "way" the nitrogen cycle processes other than the specific species of bacteria that process each step are different than in freshwater. However, ammonia-->nitrite-->nitrate is still processed through bacteria. Another difference is that we use Live Rock straight out of the ocean as our bio filters instead of mechanical filtration. And the last major difference is that Nitrate is significantly more toxic in saltwater (especially to invertebrates) than it is in freshwater. Therefore a method of converting Nitrates to N2 gas or nitrification by plants is necessary for saltwater habitats.