The colourful life of the saltwater aquarium becomes a popular hobby among well heeled Thais

Perhaps it’s the intense colours that has prompted the interest or maybe it’s just a trend, but there’s no doubt that over the last couple of years, Bangkok’s affluent aquarium fans have been swapping their goldfish for more unusual marine species such as coral and clownfish.
But while Thailand has become one of the leading countries for breeding baby Nemos, it’s worth noting that it is illegal here to keep marine life in your condo unless both coral and the fish are imported.
So, before starting your own saltwater aquarium, make sure that you buy the amazing marine creatures from a reliable supplier not from someone who is diving into the deep and helping him or herself to Mother Nature.
And once you have a saltwater aquarium installed in your space, you need to know how to look after it. Pisith Uatarnpisith, cofounder of World Wide Reef shop on Soi Thonglor, urges new hobbyists to gain at least a basic understanding, explaining that the saltwater aquarium system is very different and more complicated than its freshwater cousin.
Before consulting the plethora of books available on the subject, he recommends customers visit SiamReefClub.com, a forum where almost 3,000 members are already sharing information and experiences. The club’s objective is to shed more light on the dark underwater world and support a breeding preservation campaign.
The composition of a decorative saltwater aquarium consists of two primary elements: skeletal coral and the fish. “It’s important to remember that in the ocean, both fish and coral live in a dynamic natural environment that provides specific conditions and foods. So light, filtration, and the osmosis systems are crucial,” Pisith notes. “The marine ecology, especially of coral, needs light to photosynthesise and to grow.”
Most of these requirements can be met through a modern decorative saltwater aquarium equipped with German and US technology, though proper maintenance by the owner is essential.
“For example, 30 per cent of the aquarium water must be changed every two weeks. And consistent monitoring of the water parameters such as pH, salinity, alkalinity, and temperature are very important,” says Pisith. “Some shops offer a home service.”
Where the aquarium is placed is also a factor in the health of fish and coral.
Coowner Ekkachai Henkarnkrai explains. “The aquarium should not be exposed to sunlight but must be adequately ventilated, Temperature must be constant at around 26 to 28 degrees Celsius.”
Installation isn’t cheap either, ranging from Bt10,000 to Bt200,000 depending on the quality of equipment. On the plus side, a successful saltwater aquarium can last for many years.

XTRA
In the tank
>> For information on buying an aquarium, visit www.WorldWideReef.com.
>> To discuss fish and coral, go to www.SiamReefClub.com.