Initial Saltwater Setup

A saltwater tank really isn't difficult, aside from making sure the salt level stays stable and within parameters its alot like a fresh water tank.

The BioBubble can make a great saltwater setup and in the following post I'll guide you through the steps needed to get it running

First step is the lay down the sand or gravel you've chosen. Aragonite based substrate works best as its naturally found in the ocean sand bed and can be found in various sizes from sugar sized sand to larger gravel.

Next comes the decor, I went with Artificial Coral/Rock and an artificial saltwater plant. The fake coral can be pretty close to the real thing, adding beauty and color to the aquarium without the high cost and high maintenance of the real thing.

The water and salt should be mixed before adding it to the Tank. It's important to keep the salt level consistently stable and mixing it in a separate bucket, testing before adding it to your tank. Ill be using a Salinity (Salt level) of 1.018 which is within recommended levels for fish

Pop the sides of the BioBubble up and slowly pour the salt water in, try to aim for the filter in the middle, It helps disperse the water and minimizes stirring up the sand.

Water will be cloudy, its just the fine particles from the sand in the water column, Give the tank a day or two for the sand to settle.

Place the top on the BioBubble, clamp down the four clips, ( See the Freshwater review for a more in depth explanation of the mechanics of the BioBubble ) and press down making sure it locks into place and doesn't leak, go ahead and fill it up the rest of the way.

One day later and this is what the final setup looks like. Like freshwater, Saltwater tanks also have to go through the cycle process, there really isn't anything out there to bypass this natural step. Using Live rock and sand from an exsisting tank will help speed up the cycle but really all you need is time.

I will be seeding the tank with live rock. Once the tank cycles I will actually be adding dwarf seahorses, Snails, Shrimps, and crabs.

So check back often As I will be keeping up with two BioBubbles Now. Feel free to post comments and questions below.