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Aquarium Info….Tips to help you decide
Bigger is better: A larger aquarium provides a greater volume of water. The greater the volume, the slower the build up of excess nutrients and waste and greater stability in water chemistry and temperature. In addition, a larger aquarium provides a greater flexibility in the types and number of inhabitants. It is important to remember that although bigger is better, bigger is not necessarily more expensive.
More than just fish: Aquariums are so much more than just fish. The aquatic world encompasses a huge variety of animals, and surprisingly fish are just a small part of it. Marine aquariums especially, can house a huge variety of invertebrates, from live corals and crabs to ornamental clams and starfish.
A well designed aquarium can fit your décor: Whether traditional or contemporary, we can help you design an aquarium which will fit your home or work space perfectly.
You do have choices: Both freshwater and saltwater aquariums can be captivating and awe-inspiring. Both can be separated into three different categories:
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Fish only system
Fish only system•Community habitat
Community habitat•Full ecosystem
Full ecosystem oOften imitating a specific region or habitatWhen considering the installation of a marine aquarium, there are many factors to take into account.
•Size – What is the maximum size aquarium that can be installed in the proposed location? Taking this into consideration, what does your proposed budget allow? The strength of the space that is to hold you aquarium must be considered, when deciding upon a size. If necessary, added support may need to be installed, in order to allow the size aquarium you desire to be installed safely. For example, a typical 150 gallon marine aquarium can weight close to 2000 lbs once everything is installed and running.
Size – What is the maximum size aquarium that can be installed in the proposed location? Taking this into consideration, what does your proposed budget allow? The strength of the space that is to hold you aquarium must be considered, when deciding upon a size. If necessary, added support may need to be installed, in order to allow the size aquarium you desire to be installed safely. For example, a typical 150 gallon marine aquarium can weight close to 2000 lbs once everything is installed and running.•Location – The proper location is critical to the overall success and enjoyment of your new aquarium. Light from nearby windows, can potentially become problematic to your new aquarium. Heat and ultraviolet radiation from sunlight can, not only create a temperature problem in your aquarium. They can also create a problem with the materials of the stand and/or canopy, as well as cause an unsightly algae bloom. Electricity, water and drainage need to be readily available when considering the aquarium’s installation. Whether it be in a nearby mop closet, or in a basement. An area for water storage must also be considered.
Location – The proper location is critical to the overall success and enjoyment of your new aquarium. Light from nearby windows, can potentially become problematic to your new aquarium. Heat and ultraviolet radiation from sunlight can, not only create a temperature problem in your aquarium. They can also create a problem with the materials of the stand and/or canopy, as well as cause an unsightly algae bloom. Electricity, water and drainage need to be readily available when considering the aquarium’s installation. Whether it be in a nearby mop closet, or in a basement. An area for water storage must also be considered. While not critical, maintenance contracts can become significantly less expensive, if we do not need to transport our own purified water or pre-made saltwater to your location. Yes, the upfront cost is more, but that investment quickly pays for itself via reduced monthly maintenance fees.
Another consideration, if it is possible for there to be a “behind the scenes” area (either physically behind the aquarium, in an adjoining room or closet, or in a basement), for a sump and aquarium equipment. This will make it easier for us to maintain your aquarium, without being physically present in the display area. Added benefits are: reduced noise in the display area, less foot traffic by us in your display area and a reduction in heat issues in the stand of your marine aquarium.Aquarium Material: Glass or Acrylic
oGlass – Sturdier, scratch-resistant and made to last a “lifetime”.
Glass – Sturdier, scratch-resistant and made to last a “lifetime”.*There is an alternate (albeit more expensive) type of glass, that can be used for the front (display) panel or the entire aquarium. This glass is called Starfire, it is low in iron and thus has a slight blue tint to it instead of a green or yellowish tint. This gives aquariums a nice crisp look, especially in a reef display.*Glass is 4 to 10 times heavier than acrylic, depending on the thickness of the glass and the total volume of the aquarium.oAcrylic – Lighter, easier to move and if scratched, it is easy to buff out scratches, even under water.
Acrylic – Lighter, easier to move and if scratched, it is easy to buff out scratches, even under water.Stand & Canopy Material/Construction oIf you desire, we can have a canopy and stand constructed out of furniture grade materials to fit your home/office and decorating style. Most common are natural woods or a custom finish for a Contemporary feel.
If you desire, we can have a canopy and stand constructed out of furniture grade materials to fit your home/office and decorating style. Most common are natural woods or a custom finish for a Contemporary feel.oThere is also, another option. You can choose to have your aquarium built behind/into a wall. This creates the feel of artwork and also takes up less floor space in the viewing room. This also keeps foot traffic to a minimum through your home or office, reduces noise in the display room and keeps all of the mechanicals in their own room or area. The tank can be framed out if you choose, to give a more artistic feel to your new centerpiece. Generally, the tanks used in these systems are slightly less expensive.
There is also, another option. You can choose to have your aquarium built behind/into a wall. This creates the feel of artwork and also takes up less floor space in the viewing room. This also keeps foot traffic to a minimum through your home or office, reduces noise in the display room and keeps all of the mechanicals in their own room or area. The tank can be framed out if you choose, to give a more artistic feel to your new centerpiece. Generally, the tanks used in these systems are slightly less expensive.Now, picture in your mind . . .
What type of inhabitants you would like to see in your aquarium. We can help (within limits) make that vision a reality.
We can start with something as “simple” as an entry-level Fish Only with Live Rock (FOWLR) system, that contains colorful, hardy marine fish up to a “high end” living reef system, that contains colorful corals, invertebrates and fish (resembling a reef crest in the Indo-Pacific).
Monthly maintenance program
Included in your monthly maintenance contract are:
- two emergency calls per month, including the first hour of service/labor charges, per visit.
-An agreed upon number of monthly visits for the maintenance of your aquarium per your contract, superfluous visits are to be considered “emergencies”. Occasionally, we may schedule an extra maintenance visit, at no extra charge to you, to ensure that your aquarium looks its best.
-If necessary, the water to perform prophylactic partial water changes, as agreed upon in your contract. Surplus water transported and used during emergency visits are not included in the monthly fee.
Monthly maintenance charges are billed on the first of the month. Any fees incurred during a given monthly billing cycle will be billed on the last day of that month. These charges may include, but are not limited to: foods, chemical supplementation/additives, aquarium salt mix, bulbs, media replacement & minor equipment replacement (heaters, etc.). Please note that any changes or addition of major equipment would never take place without your consent.
There is a 12 step process that takes place during each visit:
1.We may test the following water parameters, depending on your systems needs: Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, pH, Alkalinity, Calcium, Phosphate and Magnesium.
We may test the following water parameters, depending on your systems needs: Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, pH, Alkalinity, Calcium, Phosphate and Magnesium.2.Waste removal: Gravel/sand substrate cleaning, if needed. Cleaning of skimmate in Protein Skimmer , to be done every visit and sometimes more often with monthly accounts. Harvesting of excess macro algae on systems with macro algae refugiums.
Waste removal: Gravel/sand substrate cleaning, if needed. Cleaning of skimmate in Protein Skimmer , to be done every visit and sometimes more often with monthly accounts. Harvesting of excess macro algae on systems with macro algae refugiums.3.Micro Algae removal: glass scraping and cleaning. Cleaning of any accessories that have micro algae on them.
Micro Algae removal: glass scraping and cleaning. Cleaning of any accessories that have micro algae on them.4.Partial water changes: appropriate to your system, usually 10%-20% per visit, depending on level of filtration on being used.
Partial water changes: appropriate to your system, usually 10%-20% per visit, depending on level of filtration on being used.5.Aquascaping: Finishing touches to ensure that your system looks natural and pristine.
Aquascaping: Finishing touches to ensure that your system looks natural and pristine. 6.Glass/cabinet cleaning: Your aquarium is a piece of furniture or artwork, we will dust and polish the outside as needed with appropriate aquarium safe products.
Glass/cabinet cleaning: Your aquarium is a piece of furniture or artwork, we will dust and polish the outside as needed with appropriate aquarium safe products.7.Animal health monitoring: spending a few minutes observing your fish and invertebrates can go a long way in disease prevention.
Animal health monitoring: spending a few minutes observing your fish and invertebrates can go a long way in disease prevention.8.Temperature monitoring, we will make sure that the equipment controlling your system’s temperature is in good working order.
Temperature monitoring, we will make sure that the equipment controlling your system’s temperature is in good working order.9.Life support system monitoring: adjustments will be made as needed.
Life support system monitoring: adjustments will be made as needed.10. Filtration equipment cleaning and media replacement.
11. Monthly consultation and trouble shooting. Including training of employees or family members that will do the day to day feedings and observing of the system.
to day feedings and observing of the system.12.Recording information and observation. We keep detailed records of all systems we maintain, including our own. This helps us to track down problems by looking at the history of the system.
Recording information and observation. We keep detailed records of all systems we maintain, including our own. This helps us to track down problems by looking at the history of the system.