想建立一个盐水水族馆吗？在这里开始。

因此，您已经决定要建立一个盐水水族馆，这是您自己的居住空间中的一小部分海洋。我们要祝贺您，并为您欢迎您提供非常有意义的爱好！

Now, where to begin?

If you’ve already visited some of your local fish stores, you may have noticed that thelivestock,tank， 和设备选项似乎无尽。您听到的术语混乱而混乱，即使不是彻头彻尾的困惑。每个人都告诉您关于使用盐水坦克成功的“最佳”方式的不同。最重要的是，这种爱好中的一切似乎都疯了！在这一点上，您可能会感到不知所措，以至于您甚至在开始之前就想扔毛巾。

This is what we like to call the “deer-in-the-headlights stage” for the first-time saltwater aquarium keeper. There are simply so many decisions to be made and so many contradictory opinions out there that it’s hard to know which way to turn. But don’t get discouraged! You can do this! We’re here to guide you every step of the way to a successful, sustainably stocked saltwater aquarium.

我需要首先决定什么？

我们认为，从这种爱好开始右脚开始的关键是决定（在购买单个商品之前）您想保留什么类型的牲畜，然后构建系统以适合您的库存计划。您对物种的偏好是什么？您想要仅使用鱼类或礁石系统吗？一个家禽(鱼只有住岩石)ystem? A peaceful community tank bustling with small to medium-sized fish? A species tank housing a single large predator? Perhaps a biotope aquarium featuring species from the same geographic region? The best time to answer these questions is in the planning stage—not after you’ve already shelled out your hard-earned cash for a tank and equipment.

为什么这有关系？

What? This Volitans lionfish won’t fit in my brand-new 30-gallon?”
– New aquarist

Remember, knowing the type, size, number, and compatibility of the fish and/or invertebrates you’d like to keep is vital in determining what size tank you’ll need to buy, how much filtration you’ll need to provide, whether high-intensity reef lighting will be necessary, what types of foods you’ll need to keep on hand, whether a deepsubstrate无论您需要担心补充钙和碱度以及许多其他因素，都需要做什么类型的水垫。

On the other hand, if you put the cart before the horse by purchasing a tank and other equipment without first creating a stocking plan that you’re happy with, you may find that you’ve painted yourself into the proverbial corner when the system proves to be too small or otherwise poorly suited for a desired specimen.

那你还在等什么？

Let’s get started! Get yourself somegood reference books, read through our planning content, check out the livestock at your local fish store, peruse the tanks at your local public aquarium, and start creating your livestock wish list!