Saltwater Kits at Elmer's Aquarium :  A successful marine aquarium starts with the right equipment package.   We have put together a variety of kits which can be customized to fit your needs.  All equipment has been carefully selected by our staff to assure reliable operation, low maintenance, and healthy water conditions.   Stop in and one of our sales staff can show you some of our equipment packages.

Saltwater Equipment Checklist

1. Tank: When you plan a saltwater system bigger is often better.  A larger tank may be more stable and easier to maintain than a smaller tank.  We recommend a minimum of 40 gallon or more for beginners.   Today most marine tanks are setup with a "sump" below the tank.  In order to install a sump below the tank you should purchase a tank with a built-in drain.  Here is a list of prices and sizes for 49 sizes of tanks with drains:    Tanks with Overflow Drain Chart.

2.  Glass Top

3.  Light:   A saltwater light will be more intense than a light you would use for freshwater.  Today most marine lights are either compact fluorescent, high output T-5, or metal halide.  Usually 3-5 watts per gallon is used for starter tanks.  Reef systems with various corals will require more powerful lighting.  Our staff can help you choose the proper lighting.

4.  Sump and Water Pump:  A sump below the tank will provide an additional reservoir of water.  It can also house a powerful water pump for additional water circulation.   The sump can also house a submersible heater, protein skimmer and biological media.  Sumps are also referred to as "trickle filters"  and "wet/dry" filters.  When you purchase a sump from Elmer's we can install all of the plumbing, valves and fittings so that is it ready for you to plug it in.

5.  Protein Skimmer:    Protein skimmers are an important component of modern marine systems.  Invest in a good skimmer.  It can be hung on the back of the tank, or put into the sump below the tank.

6. Power Filter:    A power filter is recommended.  It can provide additional water flow, and well as chemical, mechanical, and biological filtration.   A canister filter under the tank, or a hang-on the back system can be used.  The Fluval Canister filter is our most popular marine power filter.

7.  Power Heads:   Saltwater tanks should have plenty of water movement.  A general rule of thumb is to move about 10 gallons per hour.  For example a 90 gallon tank should have about 900 gallons per hour total flow.  Add up the circulation for all of your pumps and filters.  Typically you will use one or two internal water pumps for circulation.

8.  Aragonite Substrate:   The bottom of the tank can be covered with Aragonite gravel.  It comes in a variety of grades.  The most popular is a very fine grain sugar size.  Aragonite is decorative and helps maintain proper pH.  A layer of 1" is often used.  Some systems are designed for deeper layers.  In order to get new tanks started more rapidly you can purchase some "live" sand with beneficial microbes.

9.  Sea Salt:   Use a quality sea mix.   We use and recommend Instant Ocean Sea Salts, and Instant Ocean Reef Salts.

10.  Hydrometer:  A hydrometer is measure the salt concentration.

11.  Test Kits:   Every hobbyist should own a pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate test kit.  Other important tests include calcium and alkalinity.

12.  Heater:  Invest is a quality submersible heater.  The VisiTherm is our best seller.  It can be placed in the tank, or in a below-tank sump.

13.  Thermometer

14.   Water:   If you are starting a basic tank with some hardy starter fish you can use tap water with a conditioner such as "Prime".  Today a majority of marine hobbyist use purified water.  Water is purified by using Reverse Osmosis or Deionization.  We sell purified water in 4 gallon jugs.  The jugs can be refilled.  You can also purchase a "Reverse Osmosis" unit to filter your own water at home.   If you plan on keeping corals and maintaining a reef system you should use purified water.

15.   Cured Live Rock:   A day or two after you set-up your tank you can add live rock.  Live rock is decorative and functional.  It is a key component of a successful tank.  Use about one pound per gallon.  We sell a variety cured live rock. 

16.   Elmer's Optional Installation and Maintenance:   We can provide complete installation and maintenance of your system.  Our service department is Western Pennsylvania's longest established aquarium maintenance service.  We bring purified water to all of our marine accounts for partial water changes.

17.   Book:   We carry a variety of books to help you get started.

18.  Other Optional Equipment:   Here are some additional items you may need:  background,  five gallon bucket, net, algae scraper,  ultraviolet sterilizer,  pH buffers, calcium supplements