Jellyfish are popular pets that can be placed in ornamental aquariums. Its stunning shape and soothing movements make this animal a living work of art. With proper aquarium installation, you can place jellyfish anywhere in your home, even on your desk! However, you'll need to do more than just set up a standard aquarium as jellyfish are sensitive organisms and need a special environment to thrive.
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Part 1 of 5: Choosing an Aquarium
Step 1. Find a small to medium sized aquarium
Jellyfish should be placed in a clean and sterile aquarium. You can place 1-3 small jellyfish in a small aquarium, which is perfect for placing on a desk in the office or at home. You can also choose a medium-sized aquarium that can accommodate more jellyfish. Look for aquariums that are round or tall and narrow.
A round aquarium with a flat bottom is ideal because it allows the jellyfish to float freely in it. These conditions are important for the health and happiness of the jellyfish
Step 2. Purchase an aquarium kit for the jellyfish
Another option is to purchase an aquarium specifically designed for keeping jellyfish. This aquarium is small, circular in shape and can accommodate 1-3 small jellyfish. You can also buy a tall, narrow tank to accommodate more jellyfish. Jellyfish kits can be purchased online or at your local pet store.
Keep in mind that jellyfish aquarium kits are not cheap and are still rare in Indonesia. The price ranges from Rp. 350,000 to Rp. 1 million. You can use a regular aquarium to save money
Step 3. Prepare other necessary equipment
Most jellyfish aquarium kits come with the accessories needed to set up an aquarium. If you're using a regular aquarium to keep your jellyfish, here are some of the supplies you'll need:
- Air pump
- Filter plate placed under the substrate
- Air tube
- Air hose
- Substrate for the bottom of the aquarium, such as glass beads
- LED light
- Remote control for LED (optional)
Part 2 of 5: Setting Up the Aquarium
Step 1. Find a place with a flat and high enough surface that is not exposed to direct sunlight
Jellyfish feel comfortable in dark environments. So make sure you place the aquarium on a flat and high surface, at home or in the office, that is not exposed to direct sunlight and is not near heat sources or electrical equipment.
A coffee table at home that is located in a dark location or a regular table can be a good choice. You can also purchase a small tall wooden stand for your home or office to place the aquarium on
Step 2. Install the filter plate and air tube
Connect the filter plate and place the air tube in the center of the filter plate. Filter plates usually consist of several small sections or 1-2 large sections, depending on the type you buy. The air tube should be in the center of the tank so that air can circulate throughout the tank.
- You may have to cut one side of the filter plate to fit the other. Use scissors or a craft knife to do this.
- Place the filter plate and air tube in the aquarium. The plate should cover the entire bottom of the aquarium snugly when you install it.
Step 3. Insert the substrate
The substrate will help hide the filter plate in the tank. We recommend using glass beads, not sand or gravel. Gravel can be dangerous for jellyfish. Place the beads in the tank by hand so they don't break or scratch the glass.
Look for glass beads at pet stores or online stores. Glass beads the size of a jelly candy are ideal for jellyfish aquarium substrates. You should fill the tank with at least one layer of substrate or glass beads 5 cm high for a medium-sized tank
Step 4. Connect the air tube with the air pump
When you're done setting up the substrate in the aquarium, you can connect the air tube to the pump. Do this using an air hose.
Connect the air tube to the air pump. When you're done setting up the substrate in the aquarium, you can connect the air tube to the pump. Do this using an air hose
Part 3 of 5: Adding and Circulating Aquarium Water
Step 1. Add salt water to the aquarium
Jellyfish are saltwater animals so you should use saltwater for your aquarium, nothing else. You can make your own brine using sea salt or buy pre-mixed brine at the pet store. Do not use table salt for this purpose!
- If you want to make saltwater for your aquarium, you can use aquarium salt or ionic salt. You'll need to dissolve the salt crystals in either osmosis or distilled water and make sure there aren't any lumps of undissolved salt. Do not use tap water because it contains elements that can harm jellyfish.
- After adding the salt water, smooth out the glass beads by hand so that they are evenly distributed across the bottom of the tank.
Step 2. Install the air pump and LED light and turn it on
After that, let the pump run for at least 12 hours. During this process, the water will change from cloudy to clear.
Some people will immediately put the jellyfish into the aquarium, then change the water every day. Water changes help keep ammonia levels in the aquarium low. However, doing a water cycle before adding the jellyfish will ensure that your pet stays healthy in the tank
Step 3. Perform a test for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels
You can purchase a test kit for the aquarium that will allow you to test the levels of these elements in the water. You should do the test once the water cycle is complete and the water looks clear. The test should show an accumulation of ammonia, followed by an increase in nitrite as ammonia levels decrease. Then, nitrates will start to form as nitrite levels decrease.
Ideally, the ammonia and nitrate levels in the aquarium should be 0 ppm. You may have lower nitrate levels, around 20 ppm. Once these conditions are met, you get the green light to add the jellyfish to the aquarium
Part 4 of 5: Selecting and Adding Jellyfish
Step 1. Purchase jellyfish at a credible pet store
You should find a pet shop that has experience with jellyfish on the internet and can provide a money-back guarantee. Most stores like this sell moon jellyfish or blue blue blue jellyfish, but it's possible to find other species for your aquarium. The jellyfish will be sent alive in plastic bags.
- Alternatively, you can buy jellyfish directly at the pet store. Talk to the seller to make sure he is knowledgeable about the jellyfish he is selling. You should buy jellyfish that float and move around in the tank, with their tentacles looking bright and healthy. Often, pet stores have a dedicated area for jellyfish and other marine animals.
- A species called moon jellyfish is perfect for a home aquarium. Moon jellyfish are seasonal animals and usually survive for 6-12 months.
Step 2. Look for jellyfish that are roughly the same diameter and size
The aquarium is an enclosed space. So don't overcrowd your tank with too many jellyfish or jellyfish of all sizes. The larger jellyfish will eventually outgrow and dominate the smaller ones. The smaller jellyfish will start to shrink and will not develop as well as the larger jellyfish.
It's a good idea to buy only one species of jellyfish for your aquarium. For example, you might decide to choose moon jellyfish or just blue jellyfish for your aquarium. Most species of jellyfish will be comfortable with the same type of jellyfish in the same tank
Step 3. Introduce the jellyfish into the aquarium slowly
The jellyfish will be shipped in a clear plastic bag. First, you need to make sure the aquarium water is completely treated and has healthy nitrate levels. You should allow about 20 minutes per bag of jellyfish to acclimate to their new tank.
- Place a plastic bag filled with jellyfish on the surface of the aquarium for 10 minutes. This technique allows the water in the bag to be at the same temperature as the aquarium water.
- After 10 minutes, open the plastic bag and drain half of the water in a clean cup. Then, add the aquarium water to the plastic bag and make sure it's the same portion as the water you're throwing away.
- Ten minutes later, you can slowly release the jellyfish into the tank. Use an aquarium net to release the jellyfish. Do not pour plastic bags into the tank, as this can startle the jellyfish.
Step 4. Check and make sure the jellyfish are pulsating and swimming in the aquarium
It may take several hours before the jellyfish adjusts to its new habitat. Once comfortable, the jellyfish will pulsate and move around in the tank, usually about 3-4 times every minute.
- You should watch the jellyfish for a few days to make sure the aquatic animal moves and pulsates comfortably in the tank.
- If the jellyfish appears upside down, a phenomenon called eversion, the water temperature may drop. The suitable water temperature for jellyfish ranges from 24-28 °C. You may have to adjust the water temperature and test it again to make sure the water contains the right levels of nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia.
Part 5 of 5: Taking Care of Jellyfish
Step 1. Feed the jellyfish live or frozen baby brine shrimp (artemia), 2 times a day
You can buy live or frozen baby brine shrimp at a pet store or online. You have to feed him 2 times a day, morning and night.
- Live brine shrimp can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can feed the jellyfish through small holes in the tank to prevent them from being stung by the tentacles. The jellyfish will catch and swallow the food itself.
- Do not give too much food because it can harm the water quality. If you have jellyfish of various sizes in your tank, it will be difficult to encourage the growth of the smaller jellyfish and maintain their health by overfeeding.
Step 2. Perform a 10% water change every week
To ensure good water quality in your aquarium, you should change 10% of the water every week. This means that you will have to discard 10% of the water and replace it with new salt water.
Don't forget to test the water quality after the water change process. The salinity level should be between 34-55 ppt, which is the closest condition to natural seawater. You should also make sure that the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels are correct
Step 3. Remove any jellyfish that are too large for the size of the aquarium
With proper care, jellyfish will grow to a healthy size. You can avoid overcrowding your tank by placing just a few jellyfish in the tank. If the jellyfish become too large for the size of the tank or if you feel the tank is too full, you may need to remove one of the jellyfish. Once removed, do not release the jellyfish into the sea or into bodies of water. This action is not allowed and can endanger the life of the jellyfish.
