| In a reef aquarium, a marine ecosystem is simulated | | | | the fish become increasingly active. At the end of the |
| by the organisms as they interact with each other. | | | | day, simulated dusk and moonlight levels cause the |
| Well-studied lighting, excellent water conditions, proper | | | | invertebrates to reproduce thus sustaining the life cycle |
| filtration and oxygen levels must all work together to | | | | of the reef. |
| contribute to a healthy, vibrant reef micro-system. | | | | Aquarium Maintenance - Temperature - PH - Filtration |
| What's In A Reef Aquarium? | | | | Keeping the saltwater reef aquarium livable requires |
| The saltwater reef aquarium community is made up of | | | | proper maintenance. Temperature levels should be |
| corals, anemones, sponges and fish that are normally | | | | kept between 76 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Acidity or |
| found in reefs. This type of aquarium has a natural | | | | pH levels should be maintained at about 8.4, while |
| coral rock base on which a variety of organisms thrive. | | | | salinity should be kept constantly at 1.021 specific |
| Moving along the corals and sponges are an | | | | gravity. In order to control algae from becoming too |
| assortment of colorful fish such as clown fish, Purple | | | | plenteous, a twice-weekly scrub to clean the tank |
| Tangs and angel fish, among others. Other | | | | should be practiced. Installing a few algae-eaters such |
| invertebrates such as clams, snails, starfish and hermit | | | | as snails and crabs will also help keep algae levels |
| crabs may also be included in this living scenery. All of | | | | down. Since the aquarium is teeming with life, toxins |
| these thrive in simulated seawater substitute that is | | | | from the waste products will abound unless properly |
| specifically formulated for reef aquariums. This special | | | | cleaned by filtration methods. A protein-skimmer |
| mix of deionized water and sea salts mimics actual | | | | achieves this by passing air bubbles through a column |
| ocean water and contains the necessary natural | | | | of water so that the pollutants catch on, float to the |
| chemicals of saltwater. | | | | top of the skimmer and are subsequently removed. |
| Saltwater Aquarium Lighting - The Importance of | | | | The inclusion of a biological filter known as a live rock |
| Proper Lighting | | | | is also essential to the saltwater reef aquarium. This |
| In a true reef, life thrives due to lighting by the sun, but | | | | type of rock plays host to nitrogen-eating bacteria, |
| in saltwater reef aquariums, the marine fauna must | | | | which remove carbon dioxide, nitrogen, phosphorus |
| rely on the light that comes from aquarium lighting. | | | | and other harmful chemicals. The more live rocks that |
| Photosynthesis - which is at the heart of the food | | | | are in an aquarium, the better. |
| cycle in a reef - cannot occur naturally without | | | | More modifications may be made to this type of |
| sufficient light, and this will be detrimental to the life of | | | | aquarium as long as the tank does not become |
| the aquarium. Controlled lighting of very high levels is | | | | overcrowded and the aqueous environment is not |
| needed in order for saltwater reef aquariums to | | | | rank with too many additives. The saltwater reef |
| successfully host life. Controlled lighting simulates the | | | | aquarium is a satisfying achievement for any aquarist |
| cycle of the reef: at the beginning of the day, | | | | so long as it is setup after doing proper research and it |
| invertebrates absorb simulated sunlight. During this time, | | | | is maintained correctly. |