Setting Up A Tank

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New Saltwater Tank Setup: Quantum’s Got Your Back

Starting a new saltwater aquarium can be a bit of a daunting task. But when you take the time to plan out what you want, and combine it with top-quality products and expert knowledge, those worries will melt away.
First things first. You need to decide how big of a tank you want to set up. The size of the tank will have an impact on what can go into it. From there, you need to establish what you want in your tank: corals only, fish only, fish with live rocks, or a mixture of fish and corals. What you decide to have in your new saltwater tank setup will influence what you need to purchase for your aquarium. Additionally, different types of corals have different needs; if you’re planning to include corals in your saltwater tank setup, you’ll need to take that into consideration. There are four main types of coral:
  • NPS - Non photosynthetic :

    NPS are very unique, niche corals, and are some of the most difficult corals to maintain. NPS corals do not have zooxanthellae (azooxanthellate) and need to obtain food through other means, mostly by catching available microorganisms in the water column.
  • Soft - No stony structure corals :

    True soft corals are regarded as some of the easiest corals to keep. They don’t require high lighting, can tolerate low and moderate water flows, and are pretty forgiving about a beginner’s mistakes. In addition, they’re very easy to propagate and grow quickly, making them especially inexpensive and readily available.
  • LPS - Long Polyp Stony Corals :

    These corals vary greatly in appearance. They are also much less demanding than related reef-building hard corals. Most species of LPS need moderate lighting and moderate water flow.
  • SPS - Short Polyp Stony Corals :

    These reef-building corals are highly desirable within the hobby; they are slow-growing due to building a hard calcium carbonate skeleton. However, they are some of the most challenging corals to keep. They demand high lighting, high water flow, and consistent water parameters.

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What You Need to Buy

Once you have a clear idea of the tank size and aquarium contents, you can start to purchase the correct, high-quality materials. Ensuring you use quality products will help you achieve the best results. 

 There are several key materials you will need to buy: tank, stand, canopy (cover for tank), filtration system, protein skimmer, backup power supply, substrate (gravel), and lights. Depending on what type of corals you want in your tank, you may also need to buy specialized lighting and pumps. 

 Your saltwater tank setup will also require—you guessed it—salts! Quantum Macro Probiotic Salts are scientifically formulated to provide you with one of the purest and most stable salts in the world. Our salts are a hybrid between natural seawater and synthetic salt. They combine many of the benefits of natural seawater with the consistency and purity of a synthetic mix. This salt contains natural macrobiotics and probiotics, as well as vitamin precursors which help to improve mineral content, promote beneficial bacteria growth and enhance fish vitality. Once you have chosen the aquarium type you want to keep, note the calcium, alkalinity, magnesium and potassium concentrations. These will be your guide to follow you through our program.

This is where Quantum comes into its own. Not only do we offer top-tier products, but our passionate staff can also help guide you through your new saltwater tank setup to ensure you are gaining the knowledge needed to start—and maintain—a healthy tank.
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Setting Up Your Tank

Once you have sourced all the materials, you can start setting up your tank. Begin by placing the tank in an area with sufficient lighting and a stable temperature. This will vary depending on what you have chosen to put in your tank. Lighting is especially important for reef tanks (mixed fish and corals), as corals rely on photosynthesis to survive and grow. Make sure to rinse the aquarium and substrate before adding it to the new saltwater tank setup. Then add the heater and filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After that, add the substrate, plants, and decorations according to your preference.

Adding Your New Residents

Once your tank is set up and running, it is time for the fun stuff: introducing your new fish and/ or corals! When you get a new fish, coral or invertebrate for your new saltwater tank setup, it's only natural to want to add them to your tank as soon as possible. After all, you've put a lot of work and patience into your tank and adding life to it is your reward. However, patience is necessary when adding new marine life to your tank. Properly acclimating new additions to your tank gives them a better chance of staying healthy and surviving. 

 No matter where you purchased your marine life, they go through a lot of stress before they arrive at your tank. Even if you have purchased your fish within miles of your home and went straight home, they still need time to adjust to a new aquarium environment. Any slight change in temperature or water conditions can send the fish into shock and cause a lot of stress.
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Set Yourself Up For Success

No matter what tank size and marine life you choose, our pharmaceutical-grade aquarium supplies are the answer to all of your saltwater aquarium setup and maintenance needs! The unparalleled quality of our products is sure to support your tank and enable your marine life to thrive.

Discover a World of Possibilities - Browse Our Exquisite Product Collection!