Hawaii inspired aquariums, Supplies, and Fish

Welcome to Waikikiaquarium.com, we are here to advise you on everything you need to know about how to maintain Hawaii inspired aquariums, where to purchase supplies and how to care for the fish.

Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places on earth and the aquatic life is a major reason for its popularity. Tourists love to snorkel and scuba dive to look on in amazement at the florescent life that thrives under the surface of the water. A Hawaii inspired aquarium is a great way to capture some of that magic in your home or office. But an aquarium containing tropical fish needs to be taken care of in a very different way to a fresh water aquarium.

Saltwater aquariums are necessary for Hawaiian marine life, because the majority of the aquatic life lives in the ocean. Here are a few tips on how to maintain and care for a saltwater aquarium.

When it comes to saltwater aquariums, the bigger the tank the better. Not only will it provide for a more stable water content but it will also allow you to have a greater selection of species. You will also need an even surface area. A tall aquarium that does not have the relative width and length will not sufficiently allow for the necessary carbon dioxide/oxygen exchange.

It used to be thought that regular tap water mixed with sea salt was fine to use in a saltwater aquarium. But this is not the case. Although the increased impurities in tap water (pesticides, phosphate, etc) are deemed suitable for human consumption, they are not recommended for aquatic life. You can purify the water for your Hawaii inspired aquarium one of two ways. Either by reverse osmosis and deionization. Deionization is the preferred method because it leaves you with pure water, ten times purer that using reverse osmosis. The down side of deionization is that it is an expensive process.

The next part of the aquarium you will need is the filtration system. Saltwater aquariums require much more attention than fresh water. So be prepared to spend as much on the filtration system as you did on the tank itself. Trickle filers are the most common filtration system used. If your aquarium is going to use a trickle filter, it will also need the appropriate mechanical filter for particle removal and to create a current. Recently, algal turf scrubbers have become available as filtration systems. These have allowed enthusiasts to simulate a more realistic marine environment. For more information on this subject, please see our filters page.

A protein skimmer is another important addition to your aquarium supplies. This serves to remove dissolved organic substances before they can be biologically broken down. This creates a realistic tropical reef environment, which is devoid of organic compounds.

Finally, carefully consider the décor. You will want to simulate the fish's natural habitat as closely as possible. This will help to reduce the stress of the animal. When a fish is prone to stress, its immune system is weakened and therefore is less able to fight disease.

Please enjoy reading the rest of this site and remember to carefully research and consider all the aspects involved with housing aquatic life. When you do it right, you will have a wonderful Hawaii inspired ecosystem in your home to cherish and enjoy.

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