Setting up a saltwater aquarium can be difficult, challenging and overwhelming. Balance is essential and is the key to success in maintaining a marine aquarium. The world of fish is fascinating and complex. There are many decisions and considerations the aquarist must make before installation. Fish raised in an artificial environment such as an aquarium face many challenges to survive just as they do in their natural environment. Proper habitat and shelter, sufficient lighting, water quality, temperature, adequate nutrition and a balanced fish community are some important aspects of a saltwater aquarium. When you decide to set up an aquarium, you must take on the responsibility of satisfying all the needs of all the inhabitants. Before purchasing an aquarium and related supplies, the aquarist is advised to establish a good relationship with an aquatic retailer. The dealer should be someone who maintains a clean operation, has healthy fish, years of experience, is a member of the American Marine Dealers Association (AMDA), and can answer questions. Your aquatic retailer will be able to provide advice and information on products and maintenance, as well as assist in making correct aquarium choices and setup. Once you've established a relationship with an aquatic retailer, it's time to choose an aquarium. The first step in choosing a suitable aquarium is positioning it in your home. Make sure you recalculate approximately how much the tank will weigh and that the structure of the house can support it. A gallon of water weighs approximately 8.4 pounds. Therefore, a 50-gallon tank would weigh 420 pounds, not including furnishings. Make sure you choose a location with an adequate power supply, away from direct sunlight and that can withstand a load of paper......you can't tell the difference and live corals have special needs and can be extremely difficult to maintain. In addition to coral, pet stores and aquatic supply retailers offer a wide variety of different plastic and ceramic aquarium decorations. Tuff, live rock, slate, sea fans and shells can also be added to the tank. By purchasing decorations from a pet store or aquatic retailer you avoid the risk of adding toxic substances to the aquarium. Before purchasing decorations, take time to plan a tank design that provides shelter and enough space for swimming. Before purchasing fish, it's good to know something about common aquarium diseases so the new aquarist knows what signs to look for. Most causes of home aquarium disorders are bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Some signs of disease are granular white spots, cottony white spots, ragged fins, and dull skin.