What You Should Have In Your Saltwater Aquarium Kit
One important kit for a saltwater aquarium is a first aid kit in case of emergencies. Here are some things that should be included in this saltwater aquarium first aid kit. This could keep the aquarium owner prepared for a complete or partial change of the tank water, to treat a fish that has gotten sick and several other emergencies.The first item in this saltwater aquarium kit is a quarantine tank in which to isolate sick fish before the owner has determined the exact condition or disease. This keeps them from contaminating the other livestock in the tank. It is also an important first step for introducing new fish to the saltwater aquarium. Keeping new fish in a quarantine tank for the first 2-3 weeks lets the aquarist determine that the fish is not sick before taking the chance on making the entire tank toxic.
A test kit is important for a saltwater aquarium as well. Using the test kit regularly to determine tank water quality gives the aquarist the chance to head off potential biological or contaminant problems in the early stages or before they even get started.
Every saltwater aquarium first aid kit should have a water conditioner that also destroys ammonia. If an aquarist adds poisonous fish to the tank and one of these fish should release its poison, the water conditioner can help neutralize the poison’s toxicity immediately while the owner is in the midst of changing the water.
A slime coating water conditioner is a good tool to have in the saltwater aquarium first aid kit. Its primary aid is in covering an injured fish with a protective colloid coat. (Commonly referred to as slime).
An alkalinity and PH buffer is a quick saltwater aquarium band aid that belongs in any aquarist’s emergency kit. This buffer temporarily brings the tank water’s PH balance back to normal while a water change is being initiated. With this buffer the owner just dissolves a teaspoon of baking soda into the tank water for every 20 gallons of water. An immediate pH change will be noticeable. The next step is to test in an hour and repeat if necessary. White vinegar should be in the first aid kit as well. This is used in just the same manner if the Ph is too high.
While medications are important in a saltwater aquarium first aid kit the important thing to remember that many of these, though helpful and life saving for the fish, can actually kill the reef or destroy the aquarium filter. These medications, therefore, should be given in the quarantine tank. Many have shelf lives too, so it’s important to check that periodically and replace as necessary. Antibiotics and antibacterials should be included in the first aid kit, both gram negative and gram positive. At least two variations in ich treatment medications should be included as each form of ich has a different treatment. One that is highly useful is osmotic shock therapy (OST.)
Extra sea salt as well as fresh water should be in every saltwater aquarium emergency kit, as well as well as a spare tank heater and a tank canister filter that hangs on the side of the tank. The latter is not necessary but quite inexpensive and useful for cleaning up tank water after the tank is medicated.