What is a Reef Aquarium?

Saltwater reef aquariums are aquariums that incorporate live precious coral and additional creatures affiliated with coral reefs.

Saltwater reef aquariums consist of a number of elements, the most significant of which is the tank. Regular glass or acrylic aquariums are utilized for reef aquariums; they generally include an internal overflow made of plastic or glass that confines holes bored into the underside to hold a drain or standpipe and a return line.

Filtration for reef aquariums typically issues forth from large amounts of live rock from several debris zones close to surviving reefs, or aqua cultured rock from Florida, supplemented by protein skimmers.

Normally, mixed mechanical/biological filtration is avoided because these filters pin detritus and bring about nitrates that could suppress the development of, or even stamp out a lot of fragile precious coral.

Water motion is crucial in saltwater reef aquariums, and different corals call for different rates of flow. A lot of hobbyists recommend a water turnover rate of 10 times the aquarium capacity in gallons per hour.

Water flow is important to get food to corals. No coral entirely relies on photosynthesis for nutrients.

This makes up only a brief review of what is called for in owning a salt water reef aquarium.