Plan for your aquatic species
Check the species’ Zoopedia entry for housing type, space, salinity, temperature and enrichment. New aquariums fill with Freshwater, so a saltwater animal needs more preparation than a completed glass enclosure.
Build and prepare the aquarium
- In the Habitat Barrier tools, choose Aquarium. Use Line or Curve to draw a closed aquarium barrier.
- Add an Aquarium Staff Gate. The enclosed space fills with Freshwater. Staff enter through this gate in diving equipment; the gate can sit above ground level, but still needs a valid staff route.
- Connect the gate’s node to a Filtration Network. Supply power to the filter, provide maintenance access and ensure filtration exceeds demand.
- Set Freshwater, Brackish or Saltwater to suit the species. This change affects the network’s other connected water bodies too.
- Supply power at the staff gate. In Aquarium Info Panel → Environment, adjust temperature. The difference from the surrounding temperature affects running costs.
- Add appropriate Feeders, Nests, Enrichment and aquatic plants, and prepare the interior terrain for the species.
- Move animals from Storage into the aquarium and inspect welfare, Water Cleanliness and Tank Cleanliness.
Keep the tank working
Keepers feed the animals and clean the tank. Mechanics maintain its barriers. Filtration keeps the water clean but does not replace Keeper cleaning.
Poor barrier maintenance can lead to cracks and leaks. Dirty water and a dirty tank increase disease risk, so check both cleanliness measures.
Drain and edit an aquarium
Move or box the animals before editing. Use Drain Water in the Info Panel, then edit the barrier height or interior terrain once the enclosure has no animals or water. Refill it and return the animals when the changes are finished.