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The Saltwater Marine Reef Aquarium Saltwater Aquarium Guide With the outstanding assortment of beautiful saltwater fish to choose from, it is no wonder that so many hobbyists dream of maintaining a marine aquarium. This guide is intended to answer many of the questions a novice marine aquarist may have, and to provide some basic guidelines for selecting and caring for saltwater fish and invertebrates. The goal of this Reef Aquarium was to not follow standard Reef Keeping practice and make it as simple as possible. Coral Clown and Anemone Click here to learn about the Anemone Many hobbyist's first attempt at keeping marine fish involves the keeping of clownfish. Most are colorful, they have an interesting swimming motion, they are inexpensive and they are relatively hardy. Soon after the purchase of their clownfish many of those same people decide that their clownfish need an anemone. This is where many aquarist meet with their first failure. They find that even given good water conditions and good lighting their anemone still dies six to eight months later for no apparent reason. If the anemone does live, they may find they have a healthy clownfish and a beautiful anemone and neither one will have anything to do with the other. In this article you will get some information that will help you to avoid these problems. Coralline algae is one of the most important things to grow on tank raised live rocks. Coralline algae can not grow in a system until you introduce it by adding live rocks. The more types of Coralline that you introduce the more types you will find growing on your tank raised live rocks. In their research lab they have experimented with several different methods to aid the advancement of coraline growth. They  have noticed that new coralline algae starts to seed itself in the first month and it usually is found on the bottom base rock where the lighting is not so bright. This may have something to do with the fact that all their tanks are started by adding GARF Grunge, which has an abundant mixture of small pieces of coralline algae.        CLICK HERE Coralline algae adds color CORALLINE ALGAE is a very important thing to have growing on your combination tank grown live rock. •Coralline algae prevents other algae from growing •The bright colors add value to tank raised live rock •Coralline covered rocks will seed reef aquariums •Mixed colors of coralline algae are rare in nature •Coraline algae sells the live rock GROW YOUR OWN - SAVE A REEF Creative Reefs Creative Reefs was setup to provide people with some of the basics to reefkeeping. The water parameters are recommended, based on personal experience and recommendations from reefkeepers from around the world. Our marine reef aquariums have been setup now for 3 years and are thriving. We want to share our experience and provide some answers to problems you may also have along the way. One of the main components of most reef aquariums today are live corals. Unfortunately, for the average hobbyist, the availability of these animals is not matched by the information available concerning their biology and care. Too often hobbyists know more about who manufactures their aquarium equipment than about the basic biology or the proper identification of the animals they are striving to keep. Without this information it makes it difficult to provide the optimum conditions that will allow them to grow and reproduce. Reef Fish, the gems of the sea Saltwater Aquarium Fish The Bristle Worms..Reef Pest Breeding the Seahorse The Featherduster The Sea Anemone The Octopus The Refugium Coral Reef Aquarium Mushroom Anemone Propagation Live Rock for Reef Tanks

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You will need gravel (sand), (use crushed coral sand or fine gravel for marine fish...) The gravel should be about one inch to one and a half inch  in depth from the bottom of the aquarium, try 60 lbs. with the 55 gallon aquarium. If you are using the under gravel filter, you will need less gravel to maintain the inch and a half. First you must put the sand in a bucket or pail and rinse it with a hose(force the water through the sand).  Rinse until the water becomes clear......After the sand is clean, put it into the aquarium....Check out the live sand for the Reef Aquarium. How much do I need? About 1.45 pounds per gallon. For a 55-gallon tank, this is 80 pounds. It seems that 1.45 or 1.5 pounds of live rock or sand per gallon is the maximum amount. LIVE SAND and Invertebrates For Reef Aquariums garf.org/news Live Rock Fill the aquarium with warm water, let it set for about twenty minutes, then adjust the heater to between 75-80 degrees Fahr(24.C). The aquarium should stand empty of fish for about one week. If you want to speed things up a little, add a few small hardy damsel fish to the tank.  This is done to begin the nitrogen cycle. When your tank is new it goes through a brand new nitrifying cycle. The Nitrogen Cycle On the most Important thing you should know. Commercial bacterial products are also available that can be used in conjunction with adding fish. ( Salt water BIOZYME by AQUARIUM  PRODUCTS works well.) We suggest getting a cup of sand from a established tank. Dig a small hole in the sand and place the cultured sand gently in the depression. The Nitrogen Cycle Please read these articles! Aquariumwater WE HAVE FOUND THAT A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY MAY BE SAVED BY ORDERING YOUR SUPPLIES ON THE INTERNET We are working with the industry leaders in online aquarium supplies retailing and they are providing our viewers and members  with outstanding selection, coupled with world-class customer service. SALTWATER FISH ORDER YOUR SALTWATER FISH HERE! Order coral and other invertebrate! The novice saltwater hobbyist is advised to weigh the risks of the mixed collection against the obvious benefits and to make plans accordingly. Freshwater dips and quarantine tanks can reduce the chances of newly acquired specimens introducing disease to an established aquarium. Low fish population density (few fish in a large tank as in the currently popular "reef" type aquariums) may reduce epidemic outbreaks and allow fish to deal with parasites in their natural manner. Saltwater Aquarium Fish Compatibility Before You Buy fish, be sure you learn all about the particular fish you are thinking of keeping. They may be similar in character, but many have very specific care requirements to be aware of. What are its specific dietary preferences? What are its particular characteristic traits, environmental requirements, and compatibility with other fishes or marine life? Is it a species that will do well in captivity? How big does it get? Do you know what to look for when buying a fish? Knowing the answers to these questions are of the utmost importance to their survival!

Receive direct from the diver.

Dale Barger, member

Gulfview Marine Live Rock , We have four classes of Live Rock... Gorgonians & Sponges, Gargonians and Sponges based on availability... Gulf Sand , Taken next to natural reefs... Inverts, Crabs & Snails, etc..

Gulfview Wholesale Marine specializes in Aquaculture, Live Rock, Gulf Sand, Gargonian, Coral, Sponges, Snails, and Crabs. Since 1988, Gulfview has been a live rock harvester and established a solid reputation for the quality to which they are committed. We strive for quality... not quantity. Gulfview is one of the few aquaculturalists permitted by the government to harvest rock specifically grown for the marine aquarium in the Gulf of Mexico.

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The Saltwater Marine Reef Aquarium Saltwater Aquarium Guide Tank Of The Month MEMBERS Enter your Aquarium in our monthly contest and it could win $50.00 of merchandise.  Brothers Island, 200 miles south of Sharm El-Sheik in the Red Sea, is home to an abundance of colorful marine life. Detailed reports on specific breeding efforts. This information could be a central point about what techniques have been tried, and what species have been successfully propagated. Breeding Marine fish Marine Aquarium Fish Families Breeding Marine Inverts. SAVE  THE  SEAHORSE We have found a company which very successfully breeds seahorses to help prevent the taking of seahorses from the wild. The company (Ocean Riders) only sends the seahorse after it is trained to eat frozen and freeze dried food. They have a web site that is tremendously helpful in exactly how to set up the tank (explicitly mapping out the most ideal tank conditions). The website is WWW.oceanrider.com. Buy only Tank born and raised! Breeding the Seahorse Member, KIMBERLI ABOYADE Live Rock Live Rock for Reef Tanks Gorgonian Corals & Sponges FOR REEF AQUARIUMS

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The Aquarium Doctor HOMEPAGE AQUAPAGES Saltwater Aquarium Fish Your next decision is which fish do you choose...... WHICH FISH TO START WITH? Pick the Right Fish for Your Reef Tank By Scott W. Michael Not all fish species available to aquarists are suitable for the reef aquarium. If you want to keep fish together with invertebrates (such as corals, anemones, clams, shrimp, and so on), you need to do some research first. Putting the wrong type of fish in your reef tank can have disastrous results. There are many variables to consider when it comes to deciding whether a fish is suitable for your reef tank.    You must also decide if  you want a reef tank or a fish only tank.  A reef tank can contain shellfish, crabs, anemones,seahorses,coral          and many other invertebrate.                                               If you set up the reef tank, you will not be able to use copper in the water. Copper in very small amounts, which must be maintained with a testing kit, will prevent parasites from attacking your marine fish. Once copper is introduced into a aquarium the aquarium can never be used for invertebrate. The copper will reappear at random and kill the invertebrate. Recommended PRODUCTS Click HERE

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Simply the best RO Systems you can buy! The Deluxe Dolphin Series 3 stage reverse osmosis unit now incorporates a high efficiency 1 micron sediment filter, a 0.5 micron absolute ceramic carbon block filter and a high flow/ high rejection TFC membrane. Efficient pre-filtration in the Dolphin system greatly enhances the membrane life. The Dolphin also comes with filter-wrenches for easy cartridge replacement and your choice of connection options to a water supply for easy installation. Please specify your preference of connection to a supply when ordering. All systems include John Guest fittings, 60 PSI pressure gauge, shut off valve and solid mounting bracket. Available in 50 & 100 GPD. All Aqua FX water treatment systems are custom built to order which is the why they ship within 2-3 days. Algae In The Saltwater Aquarium Despite many claims to the contrary, the only way to control algae in the aquarium is to control the conditions that foster its growth. Primarily, these are water chemistry and the nature and amount of light falling upon the tank. Algae Control,Reef Janitors   Snails and Hermit Crabs Salt water reef janitors Order them here! M CHECK OUT GREAT SPECIALS, ON INVERTEBRATES also We now deliver live saltwater fish to your door! In addition to a huge selection of more than 300 kinds of beautiful fish, we now carry live coral and invertebrates. You will also find tips for aquarium owners including a fish compatibility guide, tank preparation and maintenance advice, and other recommended products.

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Now,  you are set up and your aquarium  is ready. The first thing you need to do is check the ph with your water quality testing kit.  Now check the ammonia, and nitrite levels.  If you have any high readings, change about 25% of the water. Keep a check with your test kit often. You should plan on changing a least 25% of your water every two weeks, or if your reading with your test kit is to high, change 25% of the water at once. The water in your aquarium will evaporate and will need to be replaced. This does not take the place of a water change. The  bio-chemicals stay in the water.  When a salt water tank evaporates you can replace the water with fresh water, but always check the tank for the right salinity with a hydrometer. Remember to always have the water the same temperature as the tank water and always use the dechlore to remove the chlorine and chloramine . Check here for the best prices available on all supplies.. All you need now is patience and a few tests to allow you to determine when the aquarium is ready and when animals can be added. As I stated, this will be different for every aquarium and cannot be guessed at. Only testing will let you decide whether your tank is ready for life forms, or not. Once it is, go ahead and add animals. Make sure you know what the requirements of the animals you add to the aquarium are. This is where you need to read books and magazine articles, to familiarize yourself with the tank conditions these animals require and then adjust the tank water quality parameters to reflect this. Introduce your animals slowly and acclimatize them to the tank. Take your time doing so. Indeed the differences in water quality between the conditions in the tanks at the store where you obtained the animal, and the conditions in your own tank may require that you acclimate the animal for longer.      Your aquarium will need to be cleaned with a soft sponge as the algae starts to grow on the insides in about a month.    If you have a glass tank you may use a scraper to remove the algae. Brown algae is almost always the first type to grow. When your tank is new it goes through a brand new nitrifying cycle. Check Page 2. On the most Important thing you should know. The brown algae usually grows in response to rising levels of Ammonia and Nitrites. These gases will be present at some time in order to complete this natural process of waste reduction. When more of these gases are simplified to Nitrates is when a majority of your green algae will start to appear. Be patient and you will start to culture green algae. If green algae does not start to grow you may be feeding too much thus keeping Ammonia and Nitrite levels high. If you want to help your algae along get a scraping of algae from an established tank and introduce it into your tank. Good lighting is also an important factor , I recommend the Coralife 50/50 (50% actinic bulb).   Most aquarium lights make blue and red light - therefore, almost any lamps marketed for aquarium use are suitable. The question therefore becomes one of intensity - just how much light is actually needed for a successful reef tank. We’ll get into a little detail on intensity of certain wavelengths for those wishing to maintain coral coloration later in this article. Parameters for the saltwater reef aquarium Lighting for the saltwater reef aquarium

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Prevent the loss of your fish by being prepared. You Should have a medicine chest ready for emergences (if you wait to get the remedy after the fish shows signs of a disease it could be to late)                       The most important thing you should know.   Setting up the Salt Water Aquarium.       The Salt Water Aquarium, Reef Tank          Reef Life, Saltwater Marine Aquarium             M WELCOME SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP Andre's Aquarium Club, Ask your aquarium related questions.

articles/diseases The Fish Vet By Shawn Prescott Member of Andre's Aquarium Club SETTING UP A REEF TANK There's no chance of pulling off a successful reef without proper lighting. It is generally said that you need to use 2-6 Watts per gallon. Well, lighting has become much more complex than this. Now, we need to deal with spectrums and other fun statistics. There's a couple of choices you've got in the way of lighting, and once again, you'll need to investigate them yourself. The main ones are Metal Halide and Florescent. These each have different advantages and I can't tell you which one will be best for you because it depends on the aquarium itself. All I can say is that you will need to make sure you get the proper spectrum, generally one of actinic nature. With Metal halide bulbs, and some florescents, you can figure how actinic the spectrum is just by the numbers that go with them. Most will have the light temperature in Kelvins. Something like 5500K. This is going to tell you how 'blue' your spectrum is. 5000K is mildly actinic, and should be supplemented with other actinic bulbs. As we move on to the 7500K range, we're starting to reach the area were you want your spectrum to be. And, finally, we come to 10000K bulbs, which are very actinic as well as very healthy for reef aquariums. By the way, 20000K bulbs are for keeping deep tanks or deep sea corals and will not be needed in the majority of home aquariums. As for florescents, the bulb name will be the easiest way to tell how actinic the bulb is. Most will either be called actinic, daylight, or 50/50. They're all exactly what they claim to be. What's a 50/50? Well that simply means the bulb is 50% actinic, and 50% daylight. This ratio is generally what you are trying to achieve in a reef tank. This can be accomplished by using equal numbers of daylight and actinic bulbs, or just buying all 50/50's. m NEXT PAGE Setting up the Saltwater Aquarium Continued, page 3 If you like what you see!!

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