Another very important factor in the aquarium is filtration. Some people use hang on tank filters, but they steal some of the natural beauty of the aquarium. Other options are canister filters, and under gravel filters. Canister filters can be hidden in an aquarium cabinet, but they are somewhat expensive and it can be difficult for a beginner to change the media. Under gravel filters are losing popularity in the marine aquarium hobby because they require a coarse bottom, so that the plate doesn't get clogged, and many people like the tropical island look of fine sand. Many people also choose to use only live rock and sand as their filter.

Apart from its obvious beauty, the marine aquarium is also quite educational. It is one of the best ways to teach children and adults about the amazing partnerships and friendships between the coral reef inhabitants. It teaches them to respect the coral reef and makes them aware of the hazards of neglecting or abusing it. It also shows them how to enjoy the rainbow colored creatures that God so carefully and creatively made.

Once you have your aquarium set up, you will be ready to buy live rock. Live rock is chunks of coral that break off of a reef or are aqua cultured. They contain millions of beneficial organisms that are crucial for the marine environment. Live rock is completely optional, but it is highly recommended. It partially serves as a base for your corals and invertebrates to attach themselves to.

After you partially fill the aquarium with mixed salt water, according to the instructions on the box, you can add the sand or other substrate, then live rock. Be sure to keep the live rock wet so you don't kill the creatures living in it. Once you have the aquarium up, plug in the filter (if you choose to have one) and the heater and let it cycle for a few weeks, changing a percentage of the water each week, before putting any creatures in it so that the bacteria may be given a chance to grow and mature, which will help rid your aquarium of fish and invertebrate waste in the future.

Once the tank has finished cycling, then you can add your first fish. Several easy and hardy fish include the damsel, with it's striking blues, greens, and yellows. The clown fish, with it's comical looks, and the firefish, which looks like it is "on fire."

You can utilise the rock which does not have as much coralline algae on it as the base rock and use the more attractive coralline covered rock as the show rock or if you decided to you could purchase rock which is names as base rock. A good thing to check is also which the upper side is and which the lower side of the rock is. The side with the coralline on is normally the upper side and should be pointed towards the light; the lower side will have less coralline on and probably a few sponges etc and should be pointed down.

Picturing and then implementing a rock structure is a step which is quite often neglected. Due to this the most common rock structure seen in marine aquariums is that of a wall of rock upon which corals are placed. Unfortunately this type of structure, although easy to implement in a marine aquarium does not emulate a rock structure as it can be found in nature.

Whichever method you choose it is essential to ensure that the rock structure you create is both open and balanced. You do not want to create a structure which is not balanced and the rockwork falls over and either traps a fish or even worse the rockwork falls over and cracks your aquarium. It is also recommended to leave a gap between the rocks and the sides of the aquarium. If you do not leave a gap then you will have issues later on trying to glean the glass.