Setting Up a Reef Saltwater Aquariums
Saltwater enthusiast have developed a love affair with coral reefs. There is nothing they love better then to design, stock and maintain a saltwater aquarium that is teaming with coral.
For years only the most adventurous were brave enough to tackle the challenges proposed by a reef saltwater aquarium. Until recently coral reef was notoriously hard to maintain.
Times have changed. Now there are several varieties of coral that even the most novice saltwater aquarium owner can enjoy.
The key to successfully maintaining a reef saltwater aquarium is to have your saltwater reef aquarium properly set up.
The first thing you’ll want to find is a tank. Select the largest possible tank that you feel comfortable with. The greater the size of your tank, the greater the water mass encompassing the reef, and the more you will be able to duplicate the effects of the ocean. You can choose either the classic look of a glass aquarium or you can select an acrylic tank which gives you a larger variety of shapes and styles. Acrylic tanks are also more durable then glass tanks. Make sure that there is absolutely no copper anywhere in the tank. Copper has a lethal affect on coral.
Before adding the coral to your tank make sure that the temperature of your water stays consistent. The temperature should remain at 23-25 degrees Celsius (73-77 degrees Fahrenheit). Your coral will remain healthier in water that is always at the same temperature.
It is very important that your reef saltwater aquarium be properly filtered. The three types of filters are mechanical, biological, and chemical.
A mechanical filter is a filter made out of spun nylon floss. Mechanical filter trap and remove wasteful material and prevent your chemical and biological filters from becoming clogged. Â Â Â There are a variety of biological filters. Some use the tanks aquarium substrate as a part of the filtration system. The purpose of biological filters is to contain the biochemical properties and to break down waste products.
Chemical filters absorbs the ions of dissolved waste. Chemical filters are typically based on active carbon.
Many reef saltwater aquarium owners like to use other products such as Bioballs and Protein Skimmers to assist with their filtration system.
The PH level of a reef saltwater aquarium should hold steady at 8.2.
Coral reefs require a filtration system that circulates the tanks water. Moving water tends to be rich in oxygen and the currents carry food to the invertebrates living inside the immobile coral. A submersible pump will do wonders to increase the water flow in a saltwater aquarium.
When you decide that it is time to stock your reef saltwater aquarium with fish you need to remember a few things before rushing out to your favorite fish store.
Bear in mind that just because a variety of fish lives in the ocean does not automatically mean that it’s compatible with coral. Some fish eat the invertebrates that make the coral reef their home. Some fish produce waste that is toxic to the coral. Some fish, like Blow-fish, produce a toxin when they die that can kill every living organism in your aquarium.
Andri Irawan
http://www.articlesbase.com/collecting-articles/setting-up-a-reef-saltwater-aquariums-709834.html
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what is the difference between a reef aquarium and a saltwater aquarium?
see i want to set up an aquarium for saltwater fish but i’m not sure how and what i need.Also if a reef and a saltwater are the same or different ?
if you are a beginner, do ALOT of research by looking online, talking with many people who own one and taking notes. i would start out with a 100 gallon or bigger tank. smaller than 80 gallons isnt really good… so think bigger the better! it takes constant attention and you need to cycle for 2-3 weeks. so go to your pet store, invest on a big aquarium tank, and get some opinions on things you can get for it. i can tell you right now, that you will need flouresent lights, filters, heaters, bubblers, and live plants. there are many different things you can do with a saltwater aquarium, many different fish you can own. and it is a very rewarding expierience.
reef aquariums are basically live plant aquariums with sea cuccumbers, live sand and coral. the saltwater aquarium basically consists of different kinds of fish as well as the plants and all.
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Depending on size $800 to $1500.
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a reef tank contains coral and invertebrates in addition to fish. A saltwater can contain fish only, fish only with live rock, or be a reef tank.
As far as what you need I’m going to assume you know about freshwater tanks and go from there. Above and beyond what you need for a freshwater tank you will need a protein skimmer. If you go with a reef tank you will also need enhanced lighting. You will have to have at least high output florescent or compact florescent. You will need a hydrometer which measures salt levels. For a reef tank you will also need live rock and live sand additives of various chemical elements and a specialized test kit, and either and RO filter or a local fish store that sells RO water,
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reef aquarium keeper 20+ yrs in aquarium hobby
In a saltwater tank, you only have fish, invertebrates, and live rock. In a reef tank, you have fish, invertebrates, live rock, and coral. A reef tank requires much more research, higher water quality, and expensive lighting. A duel T-5 light strip for my 10 gallon nano reef cost $80. Thats only a 20" light strip too.
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You need to watch the fine print. Generally reef refers to saltwater, but there are exception. Watch for fresh or saltwater. You can buy fake reef to use in either. If as you get better you decide to try live coral most of the time you’ll need saltwater. Read something about fresh water coral but don’t know what it is. Saltwater fish and invertebrates are tougher to keep. Just read this explanation: Animal in the sea evolved in a habitat the remand pretty steady, so they need water condition that remains the same and high quality. Fresh water fish had to deal with many different habitat so you can fudge a bit, but nothing going to survive very poor water. Try signing up for abouts saltwater news letter. Got there by running search under Saltwater aquariums. Just starting myself, and spent long time to see if it is doable. They all say the same: look before you leap. You will find tons of stuff on the web good luck and enjoyment shorting though it all.
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