Seven Different Types of Tropical Saltwater Fish Tank Setups
Just as there are different types of tropical saltwater fish, there are different types of marine aquariums. The purpose for which a tank is being setup can affect the system as much as will the types of fish being included. Some of the following setups are unlikely to be first tanks, but all of them could be.
Any division of aquarium types is going to be arbitrary to the extent that many people want to have tanks that serve several functions. The following list of fish tank types is meant to present the various options and functions as independently as possible. The list can be mixed and matched.
1. Decorative Tanks
The most common marine fish tank, a decorative tank is a saltwater aquarium designed to be an ornamental addition to a home's decor. Every aquarium can be setup to function as a decorative aquarium. Breeding and fry-raising tanks, however, tend to be less decorative in nature. A typical decorative tank is designed and organized to look decorative and beautiful in the home or office.
One person's idea of beautiful may be another's idea of hideous, but that is true in tastes in paintings, wallpaper, and many other things. What is most important in designing an ornamental aquarium is ensuring that the components selected please your sense of asthetics and also combine to produce a healthy aquatic environment.
2. Theme Tanks
A "theme" aquarium combines elements around a central idea. You can organize your tank around a color theme or a decorative theme. The posibilities for other types of themes are endless. Some effective tanks focus on a particular geographical region, and are called biotope tanks.
Besides colors, what other theme ideas can you use to setup an aquarium? Another option is to focus on a particular type of tropical marine fish. Or a tank in which all the fish are long or striped or more. A thematic community tank is the most popular, including the saltwater fish which appeal most to the fish tank's owner.
3. Biotope Tanks
Many aquarium fish enthusiasts enjoy trying to recreate a very specific natural environment. This is known as a biotope aquarium. The tank can be organized simply as, for example, "plants and fish from Asia" or more specific as fish and plants from Sri Lanka. For a first tank, the easiest apporach is to be somewhat less specific.
4. Species Tanks
Fish can be kept as only a single species in a tank. This is especially true, and preferred, when the fish can be killed by or kill other fish. Many fish don't necessarily have to be kept seperate, but can be shown off better when kept by themselves. This is the case with schooling species, where the appearance behavior of the school are as fascinating and interesting as those of individual fish.
5. Instructional Tanks
Aquariums, sometimes with just a fish are used for educational purposes in classrooms, sometimes playing role in the curriculum. Fish tank setups in schools and marine aquariums are tailored to the students at different levels. High school science classes are enchanced when they include one or more aquariums for specific instuctional purposes. At the university level, aquariums of various types are used in conjuction with studies in ecology, oceanography, genetics, and various other fields.
6. Breeding Tanks
Most tropical saltwater fish are bred on fish farms or are wild-caught. Breeding tanks are an important part of many aquarist's setups. The term "breeding tank" is reserved for a tank established expressely for the purpose of propigating a particular species of fish. Many species of fish, however, will be extremely difficult to breed regularly in any tank. In the community setting, few if any of the fry will survive. A breeding tank is set up to maximize the chance of spawning and the chance of survival for the young fish.
7. Fry Rearing Tanks
Fry tanks are normally utilitarian in design, often containing only a filter, the fish, and water. High feeding rates and frequently required water changes facilitate a lack of substrate and decor, which could trap food and waste particles,
These tanks don't have to be so sparse. Fry will frow very well in planted tanks tanks - even planted community tanks, provided all the fish placed together are of similar sizes. Many fish species can be purchases as very young juveniles at discounted prices. When only the fry are placed into a tank, the spaciousness of the tank will contrubute to rapid growth of the entire group.
Whatever type of tropical fish tank you choose, you must select the proper fish to fit into your plan. There are several ideas for stocking themes to consider.
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