In case you are thinking about salt water fish tanks you have probably read about new tank syndrome. This is where people who get a big selection of new fish realize that all of them pass away very fast. This tragedy is normally as a result of an easily avoidable problem, for example a lack of patience. New aquarists can spend a while establishing their new fish tanks. They have added the water and anxiously waited for it to age and settle. They may have also put in a few interior decoration and the odd plant or two and are eager to add in their fish. But the fish tank is just not prepared yet.
If the biological filter is not ready to sift waste materials, adding fish usually means that the level of nitrates as well as other waste byproducts within the water will become overpowering resulting in health issue and even death of the fishes. This can be avoided by taking a few simple measures to make sure that the filters have matured. You must promote the growth of some bacteria within the water. Such bacteria will break down the waste products in the water. Their growth can be encouraged by introducing food into the salt water fish tanks regularly. A little piece of meat or some fish flakes is enough. You can also buy items that will speed up this process. You have got to track the ammonia and nitrate levels to ensure that the water tank is set for the fish.
It does take some time for the above process to take place but it shouldn't take longer than a few weeks or so if you take the long way and as little as 24 hours with the synthetic methods. In either case this wait is worthwhile as the inhabitants of your salt water fish tanks are expensive and worth looking after carefully.