| A reef aquarium is vastly different from a fish | | | | simply small water pumps under the water that |
| only aquarium. Not only will you need different | | | | creates an underwater stream when you |
| equipment, but you will need a whole different skill | | | | alternately switch them on an off. By using a |
| to create and maintain a successful reef tank. | | | | wave timer, the pumps are synced to create a |
| Although you can keep fish in your reef tank, the | | | | water flow. A newer method for creating and |
| main focus of a reef tank is to display live coral. | | | | managing water flow is the use of submersible |
| Introducing certain species of fish can help in | | | | propeller pumps. Although they are more |
| maintaining the reef environment and special care | | | | expensive, they use less power and can produce |
| should be taken when selecting the appropriate | | | | greater water flow compared to power heads. |
| species to compliment the coral in your tank. | | | | Another important aspect of reef tanks is lighting. |
| Reef tanks are primarily filtered by the live rock | | | | While fish only tanks use lighting primarily for |
| through a natural process. This biologic filtration is | | | | display, a reef tank needs light to "feed" the coral. |
| usually supplemented by protein skimmers. Protein | | | | Since the coral uses photosynthesis to stay alive, |
| skimmers use what is called the foam fracture | | | | lighting is the most important aspect of keeping |
| process to eliminate waste matter and filter the | | | | your coral alive. |
| water. A combination of biological filtration and | | | | The lighting levels required for each type of coral |
| protein skimmers is very effective at keeping a | | | | varies widely. While some types of rock require |
| reef tank in ideal condition. | | | | very high levels of light, some only need low light |
| Unlike fish only tanks, reef tanks require constant | | | | levels. Special care should be taken when picking |
| water movement. Different types of coral require | | | | coral for your tank to ensure that the lighting of |
| different flow rates, but as a rule of thumb, a | | | | your tank is sufficient. As a general rule 5 to 8 |
| flow rate of 10x will be sufficient. What this | | | | watts per gallon should be sufficient for the most |
| means is that the flow rate needs to be 10 times | | | | common coral. |
| the capacity of the tank (in gallons) per hour. It's | | | | Article by AquaAquariums. |
| important that you adjust and fine tune the flow | | | | For more information on reef tank aquariums and |
| rates to the specific coral in your tank. | | | | to see some of the latest reef tanks, visit our |
| One of the most popular methods of creating | | | | store for a great selection and free shipping on all |
| water flow is by using power heads. They are | | | | reef tanks. |