Guide to Custom Saltwater Aquariums
A saltwater aquarium, with its intensely colorful fish and coral, creates a virtually unmatched architectural “WOW” factor for the modern space.
Aqua Creations are the experts you need to design, install, and maintain your saltwater aquarium. While saltwater aquariums can be more complex, you can leave the technical details and the hard work up to us so that you can sit back and enjoy your private slice of the ocean.
What is a Saltwater Aquarium?
A saltwater aquarium is a contained aquatic environment for saltwater species, that offers a breathtaking glimpse into the vibrant world of marine life. This dynamic tank provides a sense of tranquility and beauty by bringing exotic fish, corals, and marine invertebrates, originating from an ocean environment as far-flung as the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Australia, Florida and the Caribbean into your space. The appeal of a saltwater aquarium lies in its aesthetic display and the complexity and beauty of the marine ecosystem it replicates.
Types of Saltwater Aquariums
Several types of custom saltwater aquariums are available depending on your style and preferences, each offering a unique experience. These aquariums fall into one of the following three categories:
- Decorative Fish Only: As the name suggests, Fish-Only aquariums are designed to showcase beautiful saltwater aquarium fish without any coral or invertebrates. This draws attention to the colorful fish as the primary focal point.
- Fish Only with Live Rock (FOWLR): This setup includes both fish and porous rock populated with beneficial bacteria and microorganisms, which help maintain water quality by providing natural filtration and adding hiding spaces for the fish. This creates a dynamic tank that hosts a range of vibrant elements. In most circumstances, it's illegal to export live rock. We put in man-made or quarried rock, and over time it populates with beneficial bacteria and micro-organisms, becoming in essence live rock.
- Fish Only with Reef Tank: Considered the pinnacle of aquarium keeping, reef tanks are more complex and contain many elements of fascination. They include a range of fish, corals, and invertebrates. Saltwater reef aquariums replicate a natural coral reef, housing a variety of marine life. The range of elements creates depth and interest in the tank.
Saltwater vs Freshwater Aquariums
Owning a custom aquarium has numerous advantages. Saltwater aquarium benefits include improving child development, reducing stress levels and anxiety, lowering blood pressure, and helping conditions like insomnia and Alzheimers. Studies have shown that placing a fish tank in your living space has a calming effect and stimulates creativity. Aquariums transform your living or work space into one of harmony and serenity, providing positive energy.
Once you’ve made the decision to own a luxury custom aquarium, you need to choose between saltwater vs freshwater aquariums. Both saltwater and freshwater tanks have their pros and cons. While they provide breathtaking visual displays, each has its own unique features. Here is a concise list to consider when installing a custom marine aquarium in your space:
Saltwater Aquariums Pros
Benefits of a saltwater tank include:
- Powerful Design Statement: Having a saltwater aquatic display creates a powerful "WOW" factor for all to see, a living, breathing, brightly colored and mesmerizing masterpiece.
- Variety of Marine Life: Saltwater aquariums can house a wide selection of vibrant fish species, corals and invertebrates that come together from all of the oceans of the world to form a beautiful aquatic display in your unique space.
- Marine Ecosystem: Saltwater reef aquariums mimic the natural world by bringing the ocean into your home with live rock, coral reefs, and a broad range of fish species, from the more peaceful community fish to the larger less common fish such as sharks, eels and puffers.
In summary, a saltwater aquarium is the pinnacle of fish keeping. When implemented correctly with the right system and equipment, the aquarium and its livestock will give its owner many years of unmatched pleasure.
Saltwater vs Freshwater Aquariums
Use this comparison table of freshwater vs saltwater aquariums to decide which one would suit your specific requirements:
Freshwater Aquarium Features
Beginner-friendly, easier upkeep
Lower maintenance costs, less equipment
Decor options: Decorative, hardscape (rock/wood) and live planted
Broad selection of fish, live plants plus some invertebrates
Classic style, stunning but blends well with surrounding space
Can use tap water after it is dechlorinated
Livestock are inhabitants of rivers, lakes and streams
Saltwater Aquarium Features
Perfect for hobbyists and marine lovers
Requires more complex equipment and maintenance
Decor options: Live coral reef, fish only with rock (FOWLR), handmade coral insert
Broad selection of fish, corals, and invertebrates of all stripes and colors
Fish and corals tend to have more popping colors and action creating the “wow” effect
Must use reverse osmosis pure H2O combined with a salt mix containing major and minor trace elements that match the ocean
Livestock are inhabitants of the ocean
SALTWATER AQUARIUM FEATURES
FRESHWATER AQUARIUM FEATURES |
Perfect for hobbyists and marine lovers
Beginner-friendly, easier upkeep
Requires more complex equipment and maintenance
Lower maintenance costs, less equipment
Decor options: Live coral reef, fish only with rock (FOWLR), handmade coral insert
Decor options: Decorative, hardscape (rock/wood) and live planted
Broad selection of fish, corals, and invertebrates of all stripes and colors
Broad selection of fish and live plants plus some invertebrates
Fish and corals tend to have more popping colors and action creating the “wow” effect
Classic style, stunning but blends well with surrounding space
Must use reverse osmosis pure H2O combined with a salt mix containing major and minor trace elements that match the ocean
Can use tap water after it is dechlorinated
Livestock are inhabitants of the ocean
Livestock are inhabitants of rivers, lakes and streams
Choosing a Custom Saltwater Aquarium
Why choose a custom saltwater aquarium rather than buying a ready-made aquarium?
Saltwater aquariums can be used as a standout feature in your home or workspace. A custom saltwater tank offers a living piece of art tailored to your space and preferences and adds a touch of natural beauty.
The rewards of installing an Aqua Creations’ custom saltwater fish tank are numerous! Here are some of the main benefits:
- Customizable Saltwater Aquarium Design: Choosing a custom saltwater aquarium project offers you the opportunity to collaborate with dedicated custom aquarium designers to design your saltwater aquarium to fit your specific space and style. Whether this display is for your home or workspace, a custom tank enables you to create a unique feature that is tailor-made for you.
- Control Over Aquarium Ecosystem: Opting for a custom saltwater tank enables you to design specific habitats, such as reef ecosystems, predator tanks, or even biotope aquariums that replicate the exact conditions of a particular area.
- Quality: Custom tanks are generally made with durable materials that resist warping, leaks, and other common issues with standard tanks. At Aqua Creations, we source the highest-quality materials, increasing the longevity of your saltwater aquarium and guaranteeing that it will look just as good at the ten-year mark as it did on day one.
- Exotic Marine Life: A saltwater aquarium can be tailored to house a range of exotic fish, corals, and invertebrates that provide a glimpse of life under the sea. You will be able to create a highly personalized aquarium filled with unique marine life not typically found in standard setups.
- Educational Focal Point: Saltwater aquariums serve as stunning focal points in any home or business, captivating viewers with their vibrant colors and dynamic displays of marine life. Teeming with aquatic life, these aquariums create an engaging atmosphere that draws attention, sparks conversation, and offers valuable educational opportunities. By observing the intricate behaviors of marine species, viewers can gain hands-on experiential knowledge about them and their ecosystems. Saltwater aquariums also provide an opportunity to teach children and people about reef conservation by showcasing the delicate balance of marine ecosystems and the importance of protecting coral reefs and marine biodiversity. The ever-changing underwater scenes offer endless fascination for people of all ages while adding a touch of sophistication to any space.
Saltwater Aquarium Fish
When choosing fish for your custom saltwater aquarium, there is a wide range of colorful options. Selecting the right fish is key to creating a thriving ecosystem that mimics the beauty of natural marine life. Each saltwater aquarium fish species brings its unique shape, color and personality to the aquarium, and combining multiple compatible species can create a flourishing community. There are many beautiful large and small saltwater fish to choose from. Here are some common saltwater aquarium fish options to consider including:
Anthia
Best kept in groups of five or more with one male to four females. Their array of colors can range from vivid pinks and oranges to striking reds.
Foxfaces
A species of hardy rabbit fish that are easy to care for. Just make sure to stay away from their venomous spine.
Longnose Hawkfish
A peaceful, nosy, pink, exquisite fish that swims its way into your aquarium.
Ocellaris Clownfish
This may be one of the aquarium industry’s most popular marine fish. It has a beautiful orange body dressed with white bands outlined in black.
Royal Gramma Basslet
This fish brings a burst of color to any saltwater aquarium. It has a bright purple to violet colored anterior contrasted by a vibrant yellow posterior.
Blueface Angelfish
Its adult coloration is pale yellow with bluish scales and a bright yellow pectoral fin. It has a mottled blue face with a yellow mask.
Blue Throat Trigger
This is an incredibly hardy, long-lived fish that can survive for over 20 years in captivity. These fish develop real personalities and can learn to recognize their owners.
Golden Puffer
Most species of Puffers reach approximately eight inches in length. They have amazing personalities and become quite tame, allowing their owner to stroke their belly. Just watch out for those teeth.
Diamond Watchman Goby
This is a great addition to the reef tank because of its constant cleaning of the sand bed. The head and body are white with orange spots.
Flame Angelfish
A vibrant orange/red fish with black stripes that does well with live rock for grazing.
Rosy-Scales Fairy-Wrasse
Also known as the Red Velvet Fairy-Wrasse, is a species of wrasse native to the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean. It is a stunning and beautiful fish.
Powder Blue Tang
A coral reef-dwelling surgeonfish with a laterally compressed oval body and vivid mostly blue coloring with a bright yellow dorsal fin that is typically a solitary and territorial fish.
Blue Hippo Tang
One of the most popular in the hobby, this fish boasts a vibrant electric blue body dressed with bold black markings.
Harlequin Tusk
This is a beautiful larger member of the wrasse family. These colorful and personality-filled fish often become quick aquarium favorites.
Saltwater Aquarium Plants
Saltwater planted aquariums are rare, but can be implemented with a combination of mangroves and colorful macro-algaes. More often, saltwater aquarium plants are implemented as part of the filtration system, in a separate contained unit called a refugium.
These plants – better known as macro-algae – are placed in the refugium, inhibiting the growth of micro algae in the main display tank. Other benefits of including live saltwater plants are that they give the natural oxygen, filtration, and nutrient export that is so beneficial to a saltwater aquarium.
Saltwater aquarium plants also add a new fascinating focal point as they are swarming with tiny amphipods and copepods. Some of our clients are so fascinated with the teeming life in their refugium that they stare at it for hours!
Here are some common saltwater aquarium plants:
- Macro-algae: Macro-algae help absorb excess nutrients and oxygen in the tank and provide a habitat for small marine creatures.
- Mangroves : Mangroves include small, hardy tree-like plants that offer natural filtration. They stabilize water conditions in the saltwater aquarium by absorbing toxins and excess nutrients.
Marine Corals and Invertebrates
Who hasn’t dreamed of having a reef aquarium after snorkeling or scuba diving an ocean reef or visiting a public aquarium. With today’s advanced knowledge and equipment combined with AquaCreations’ highly refined techniques acquired through extensive experience, that dream can be transformed into reality.
The corals are the main focal point of a reef aquarium even more so than the fish themselves. Their proper placement within the aquariums layout is important not only for creating a pleasing composition but also for their health. At Aqua Creations our reef gurus apply their extensive knowledge and experience to help create a stunning, thriving replica of an actual coral reef.
Maintenance for Saltwater Aquarium
Are saltwater tanks hard to maintain? Although maintaining a saltwater aquarium is a delicate task that requires careful attention to detail and consistency, at Aqua Creations we don’t leave you to fend for yourself. At the conclusion of the project’s installation phase, we offer comprehensive aquarium maintenance services. The Aqua Creations team specializes in aquarium care guaranteeing the long-term health and thriving ecosystem of your saltwater aquarium.
Custom Saltwater Aquariums by Aqua Creations
At Aqua Creations we approach each project with dedication and attention to detail – from tank size and layout to the selection of fish, corals, and decorative elements. Our goal is to enhance the ambiance of homes, workspaces, and other spaces with the tranquility of a saltwater reef aquarium. Working together with our clients, we aim to transform your idea into reality.
Below is a selection from our recent saltwater tank projects. Our gallery is filled with a diverse range of custom saltwater aquariums, offering inspiration in various styles, sizes, and themes. Explore the limitless possibilities that Aqua Creations has to offer. Each aquarium we design is more than just a tank; it is a living work of art that reflects our client’s unique style and preferences.
This stunning 700-gallon custom saltwater aquarium, designed and installed by Aqua Creations, brings the ocean’s allure to the heart of the bar. A captivating centerpiece for drinks, dining, and endless conversations.
Aqua Creations created this beautiful 1,500-gallon custom saltwater aquarium to transform a Red Bank, NJ home into a marine masterpiece, seamlessly integrating oceanic beauty into everyday living.
Where the kitchen meets the sea: This reef atoll saltwater aquarium transforms a peninsula into a living masterpiece, immersing a satisfied client’s culinary space in the vibrant energy of marine life.
The experts at Aqua Creations designed and installed this elegant two-sided saltwater aquarium in a corporate conference room, creating a dynamic and engaging focal point that guarantees meetings are never boring again!
Seamlessly blending luxury and tranquility, this custom saltwater aquarium by Aqua Creations enhances the ambiance of a poolside retreat.
The pièce de résistance of this private residence, this custom saltwater aquarium by Aqua Creations is a breathtaking fusion of art and marine life, commanding attention as the ultimate statement piece.
A Custom Saltwater Aquarium Adventure
Saltwater aquariums offer a unique and breathtaking way to bring the ocean’s beauty into your home or workspace. From the mesmerizing movement of brightly colored fish to the intrinsic formation of coral, a well-designed saltwater aquarium is not just a fish tank but a dynamic piece of living art. The complexity and vibrant nature of marine ecosystems have a calming effect and captivate the imagination. Whether you choose a fish-only tank or a bustling saltwater reef aquarium teeming with life, a custom saltwater fish tank transforms any interior into a serene sanctuary.
At Aqua Creations, we work with you to create a custom design that reflects your style and taste. Each project is tailored to meet your specific needs and aesthetics, resulting in a unique tank that complements your space perfectly. With a team of experienced professionals, we are here to guide you through every step of the process, from the initial design to installation and long-term care. Aqua Creations offers comprehensive maintenance services, ensuring your aquarium remains healthy and vibrant.
A custom saltwater aquarium offers a gateway into the breathtaking world of marine life. Partner with Aqua Creations to transform your dream aquarium into a reality. Contact Aqua Creations and start your journey towards a custom saltwater aquarium that will enhance your environment by bringing the beauty of the ocean into your world.