Diving into Marine Aquariums...Brain First!
If you are reading this article, my guess is that you are a successful freshwater aquarist and you are thinking about keeping a marine aquarium. The daunting complexity of marine aquariums keep many hobbyists at bay, left to admire from afar. A responsible hobbyist knows that any aquariumâ saltwater or freshwaterâ is a delicate ecosystem requiring a great deal of attention to detail and a commitment to learning everything one can about how it functions in nature.
However, you can take some comfort in the fact that you are not in this alone. We at Planet Rena have done some research for you and we carry products that were created with both you and your marine inhabitants in mind. Let us introduce you to Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Marine line of saltwater conditioner, algaecide, pH buffer, antibacterial treatment, and essential reef supplements. These products are safe for all marine aquaria and are designed to work synergistically with the other products in the Marine line. They also contain natural ingredients, focusing on preventative maintenance while effectively treating specific problems. APIâs Marine line will not harm the biological filter, will not alter the water chemistry (unless that is the purpose of the product) and will not cause foaming due to protein skimmers (with the exception of Melafix, which does require the protein skimmer to be turned off for a few days). All of these products are simple to use, and many of them have more than one purpose equaling less frustration and a better value for you.
Read on to learn more about how Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Marine products can assist you in maintaining a vibrant, thriving marine aquarium.
Stress Coat Marine Fish and Tap Water Conditioner
As you already know from your freshwater experience, the water from your kitchen sink is generally not safe for use in your aquarium. The same is true of marine aquariums, and most salt mixes do not remove disinfectants such as chlorine and chloramines from tap water. As one would expect from any quality tap water conditioner,
removes these harmful chemicals as well as ammonia. However, Stress Coat not only conditions your tap water, it conditions your fish! API has added Aloe Vera to promote healing and regeneration of damaged fish tissue while forming a synthetic slime coat which helps prevent electrolyte imbalance. Keeping electrolytes balanced help fish breathe properly, making them more resistant to disease.
The addition of Aloe Vera to APIâs tap water conditioner results in a product with multiple purposes and thus, better value. In addition to using Stress Coat to condition the water when first setting up your aquarium and during water changes, you may use it when adding or handling fish. The synthetic slime coat formed by the Aloe Vera creates a barrier between your fish and the net, helping to prevent injury from handling. However, despite your most gentle, careful efforts, minor injuries may still occur, and in that case, the Aloe Vera will promote healing of any damaged tissue. The unique properties of Aloe Vera makes for a product that takes a more natural, holistic approach to fish health by aiding in prevention of fish disease and injury while promoting healing.
NOTE: Use Stress Coat in addition to Ammo Lock (for sudden spikes in ammonia levels) and Stress Zyme for an improved biological filter and a cleaner aquarium.
Melafix Marine Antibacterial Fish and Coral Remedy
If the idea of having live coral in your marine aquarium interests you, you will want to be sure that they are free of bacterial infections and flatworms before adding them to your tank. Use as a coral dip; simply place corals in separate containers with Melafix (use 4 tsp. per ½ gallon of aquarium water; make sure the water temperature, salinity, and pH are correct) for 3-5 minutes, and gently shake the corals to dislodge any worms. After a maximum treatment of 5 minutes, it is safe to place the corals in your tank. Flatworms can devastate an aquarium if they are not brought under control immediately, and the most immediate way to bring them under control is to prevent the infestation from occurring in the first place.
As with Stress Coat, Melafix has multiple purposes. In addition to its usefulness as a coral dip, Melafix is a natural, effective treatment for bacterial infections in fish resulting in open, red sores and wounds, fin and tail rot, eye cloud, pop eye, body slime, and mouth fungus. The active ingredient in Melafix is safe, natural Melaleuca, or âTea Treeâ which has healing and antibacterial properties. The major advantage to using Melaleuca to treat bacterial infections is that it can be used along side any API antibiotics or fungicides without harmful interactions. As with bacteria in humans, certain strains of bacteria in fish can become resistant to antibiotics , especially when they are treated with the same antibiotics over and over again. Tea Tree may kill some of these resistant strains of bacteria while treating your fish for the symptoms of infection.
Algaefix Marine Aquarium Algaecide
Suppose that you have become an expert marine aquarist with a beautiful, vibrant, healthy underwater community thriving in your living room. There is one problem, howeverâ you cannot actually see anything in your aquarium because the tank is overrun with algae! As delicate as this mini-ecosystem is, with its rich variety of colorful creatures all sharing the same water, you know that you cannot just grab any old algaecide off the shelf. If you are using the API Marine line of water conditioner, pH buffer, antibacterial treatment, and supplements then you can trust APIâs aquarium algaecide specifically designed for use in marine aquariums. is safe for aquariums containing snails, clams, scallops, shrimp, sea cucumbers, feather dusters, coralline algae, soft corals, hard corals, and other invertebrates. Also, Algaefix Marine wonât discolor water or cause foaming. Add 1 ml (1 tsp.) for each 10 gallons (38 L) of aquarium water. Repeat this dose every three days until the algae is under control and siphon or scrape any dead algae from the aquarium. Use once a week to reduce algae growth and aquarium maintenance.
Reef Supplements
Virtually every element known to us on earth is found in the ocean. Although many of these elements exist in trace amounts, they play vital roles in the biological processes of marine species. In the ocean, Mother Nature insures that these elements are always readily available to aquatic life. In an aquarium, however, these elements are depleted over time due to necessary processes such as protein skimming, chemical filtration, materials such as hosing and glass, and of course, the biological processes of the living creatures in your aquarium. A good saltwater mix contains these essential trace elements already, and a monthly water change of 20% to 30% will replenish these elements. However, the more life the aquarium supports the faster the depletion of those elements occurs. Thus, it may be necessary to replenish these lost elements between water changes through supplementation. API carries a line of reef supplements designed specifically for this purpose.
Natural Trace Marine Essential Reef Supplement
Trace elements are vital to enzymatic reactions in marine species, and in small and large polyp stony corals, giant clams, leather corals, polyps, and mushroom anemones, they are vital to photosynthetic reactions, as well. contains over sixty natural trace elements. API recommends dosing with Natural Trace once a week in all marine aquariums including reef aquariums containing soft corals, hard corals, live rock, coralline algae, crustaceans, starfish, and saltwater fish.
Eco Iodine Marine Essential Reef Supplement
Iodine helps prevent damage due to excessive light exposure in small and large polyp stony corals, giant clams, leather corals, polyps, and mushroom anemones. Iodine also aids in molting processes of crustaceans and other motile invertebrates and helps prevent health disorders, such as goiter, in fish. is a slow-release iodine supplement designed for weekly use in all marine aquariums containing hard and soft coralsâ including xenia and mushroom coralsâ corraline algae, and crustaceans.
Eco Calcium Marine Essential Reef Supplement
Calcium is an extremely important trace element and possibly the most important trace element in marine habitats. Calcium is essential to building skeleton in invertebrates, and adding it to your aquarium may result in healthier, more colorful corals in reef invertebrates including snails, shrimp, crabs, clams, mollusks, and coralline algae. NOTE: Calcium concentration in a reef aquarium should be between 400-500 ppm (mg/L). These levels are higher than what is considered âtraceâ amounts, but calcium depletion is very rapid in aquariums due to calcium uptake by marine animals. Use when calcium levels are below 400ppm, but raise calcium levels gradually over a period of several days rather than all at once. Levels are very steady in natural reefs and changes are gradual. Sudden drastic changes may cause undue stress.
Eco Strontium Marine Essential Reef Supplement
Strontium works with calcium to aid skeletal development in invertebrates and calcification in corals and calcareous algae. The natural concentration levels for strontium in the ocean are approximately 8 ppm. Studies show that in cuttlefish, the cuttlebone develops improperly in the absence of strontium. The cuttlebone deformity indicates that the statolith, the organ that controls balance by stimulating sensory cells, is poorly developed, resulting in erratic swimming. Studies also show that an absence of strontium causes an 80% reduction of calcification in sea slugs and very low levels of strontium resulted in deformed shells and defective statoliths in these creatures as well. is a slow-release formula designed for weekly use in aquariums containing hard corals, coralline algae, tubeworms, starfish, and other invertebrates. This product also contains molybdenum and other essential elements for a more beautiful reef aquarium.
Buffer Max Marine Aquarium Water Buffer
KH, or âcarbonate hardnessâ is an extremely important water parameter of marine aquariums. By definition, KH is the âconcentration of carbonate and bicarbonate ions dissolved in water.â Carbonate and bicarbonate ions bond with dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium and act as pH buffers. KH is a measure of this buffering capacityâ the higher the KH, the higher the buffering capacity, and the more stable the pH of the water on your aquarium. Keeping pH fluctuation steady is important because it is less stressful on the creatures in your aquarium (and YOU!). Keeping pH at the appropriate levels is simple with ; simply add one scoop (included) of the powder to every 10 gallons (38L) of aquarium water when the pH test indicates a pH below 8.2.
Maintaining KH at its proper level (125-200 ppm (mg/L) / 7-11Ìdkh ) is also important because it maximizes calcium uptake in reef invertebrates, especially stony corals and coralline algae. Thus, Buffer Max Marine works with Eco Calcium, and it is important to test the levels of both calcium and KH (in addition to pH as previously mentioned) on a regular basis. If either calcium or KH is lacking, the metabolic processes of reef invertebrates will be compromised and your reef will not grow and develop properly.
If you admire saltwater aquariums but feel hesitant to keep one yourself, your feelings exist for good reason. Freshwater aquariums are much simpler and even those require a great deal of dedication and commitment. Marine aquariums are a studious pursuit and require a great deal of planning and research before investing in the necessary equipment, additives, tests, and of course, the inhabitants themselves. However, should you decide that you are ready to explore the exciting world of saltwater, the API Marine line of water treatments and supplements can help ensure that the experience is a positive oneâ both for you and your new friends from the ocean.
