Frequent Aquarium Questions

• I have a new saltwater tank with liverock. Would you start with a cleaner package first or add some hardy fish first?
  
  
• Is it bad for fresh water fish (oscars)to have sea shells for decorations in the tank? Can they harm the fresh water fish in any way?
  
  
• I was wondering if I could use the white crushed coral from Florida for my saltwater aquarium?
  
  
• Can I add 1/4" plexi-glass to the inside of my 21" high acrylic tank to make it taller?
  
  
• I'm setting up a 65 gal reef tank built into my wall. I plan on putting in a ventilation fan. Do you have any advice or ideas that may help?
  
  
• I started up a salt water tank about five weeks ago. My ammonia and nitrite never spiked. I have 5 crabs,3 snails, and two damsel fish.
  
  
• Hi, I want a tank that is very tall for its surface area, is there any way i can increase the number of fish it holds.
  
  

• I have a new saltwater tank with liverock. Would you start with a cleaner package first or add some hardy fish first?
  
  If it is a reef tank, I would start off with some simply hardy soft corals. If the tank is going to be fish-only, I would start off with a few smaller, hardier fish.
  
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• Is it bad for fresh water fish (oscars)to have sea shells for decorations in the tank? Can they harm the fresh water fish in any way?
  
  No, as long as the bottom is not littered with them. Sea shells have the ability to raise the pH in an aquarium.
  
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• I was wondering if I could use the white crushed coral from Florida for my saltwater aquarium?
  
  I wouldn't. Unfortunately, we can no longer determine what has been introduced into our natural waters. There is always a chance of contamination from chemicals, oils, fertilizers, pesticides, etc.
  
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• Can I add 1/4" plexi-glass to the inside of my 21" high acrylic tank to make it taller?
  
  Absolutely not. There is nothing you can safely do to increase the height of a finished acrylic tank.
  
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• I'm setting up a 65 gal reef tank built into my wall. I plan on putting in a ventilation fan. Do you have any advice or ideas that may help?
  
  Hi Brandon, If your using metal halides a fan is not a bad idea.
  
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• I started up a salt water tank about five weeks ago. My ammonia and nitrite never spiked. I have 5 crabs,3 snails, and two damsel fish.
  
  Hi Heather, Just because you didn't get off the scale readings on your test doesn't mean there is a problem. Having a small bio-load in the tank can cause it to cycle gradually which actually is a good thing for the inhabitants. It can take up to six months for a tank to finally establish itself. Take your time and add new fish slowly and test frequently.
  
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• Hi, I want a tank that is very tall for its surface area, is there any way i can increase the number of fish it holds.
  
  Hi Andrew, Tall tanks limit fish capacity mainly because most fish swim horizontally not vertically. Adding oxygen might help the oxgen content, but you still have limited space.
  
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