I am starting my first saltwater aquarium and I would like to go with just fish to start with. I am looking at building a reef with some of the artificial reef and coral products for sale. What products do you like or dislike and what would you recommend? There is a product called Coral Reef Builder which is much less expensive than other products and is supposed to be saltwater safe. Has anyone used this product? Thanks for your help.
Artificial Reefs
- Thread starter nwm
- Start date
davidryder
Claris or Elliot?
Welcome!!!!
davidryder
Claris or Elliot?
And forget all the products to produce miracles in your aquarium. The only thing you should have to add to your tank is food, water, calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium. All those other products are just marketing gimmicks.
Now after that, I would recommend picking up a book called Marine Fishes to get an idea of what type of fish are suitable in a reef aquarium. There are hundreds of species and all of them have certain attributes that make them suitable or unsuitable for a reef tank.
http://www.reefcentral.com/books has a reference to Marine Fishes.
With a proper schedule of water changes, adequate feedings, and proper dosing of Alkalinity and Calcium to sustain stony corals you should have a basic foundation to build from. It's recommended that you have approximately 1lb of live rock / gallon of display volume but it's ultimate up to you.
I re-read your post - are you trying to build an artificial reef? Sorry I'm a little off my rocker tonight
Now after that, I would recommend picking up a book called Marine Fishes to get an idea of what type of fish are suitable in a reef aquarium. There are hundreds of species and all of them have certain attributes that make them suitable or unsuitable for a reef tank.
http://www.reefcentral.com/books has a reference to Marine Fishes.
With a proper schedule of water changes, adequate feedings, and proper dosing of Alkalinity and Calcium to sustain stony corals you should have a basic foundation to build from. It's recommended that you have approximately 1lb of live rock / gallon of display volume but it's ultimate up to you.
I re-read your post - are you trying to build an artificial reef? Sorry I'm a little off my rocker tonight
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
Welcome to Reef Central, nwm!
It sounds like you've learned a few things about running aquariums from your freshwater experience.
A broad range of aquaria are covered under the loose term "reef aquarium".
There's a few basic things to consider when setting up any reef type aquarium:
anyone considering starting up such an aquarium should do some thorough research before taking the plunge. You can't just add "Reef Builder" to any marine aquarium and expect to have a reef aquarium. (You need to understand why you should or shouldn't be adding a product like "Reef Builder".)
It looks like you've found a good place to do some research. You can save yourself a lot of time, money and frustration by making the proper choices when initially setting up your reef aquarium.
Since reef aquaria have many differences from freshwater or FO (fish only) marine aquariums, I strongly suggest checking out the 'new to the hobby' reef aquarium forum on Reef Central. There are lots of good articles located over there if you check out the links.
Here's a link to one such thread in that forum:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1031074
real. artificial, or artificially real? My 225 gallon reef aquarium.
It sounds like you've learned a few things about running aquariums from your freshwater experience.
A broad range of aquaria are covered under the loose term "reef aquarium".
There's a few basic things to consider when setting up any reef type aquarium:
anyone considering starting up such an aquarium should do some thorough research before taking the plunge. You can't just add "Reef Builder" to any marine aquarium and expect to have a reef aquarium. (You need to understand why you should or shouldn't be adding a product like "Reef Builder".)
It looks like you've found a good place to do some research. You can save yourself a lot of time, money and frustration by making the proper choices when initially setting up your reef aquarium.
Since reef aquaria have many differences from freshwater or FO (fish only) marine aquariums, I strongly suggest checking out the 'new to the hobby' reef aquarium forum on Reef Central. There are lots of good articles located over there if you check out the links.
Here's a link to one such thread in that forum:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1031074
real. artificial, or artificially real? My 225 gallon reef aquarium.
Last edited:
korndogg091
New member
Re: Artificial Reefs
If your looking to start a salt water tank and it just be fish only, then you dont need to add any supplements. If your going to add fake corals, again no supplements. If you are going to start a saltwater tank that is going have live corals, then you need supplements. Reef Biulder is a additive for live corals. Again, research as much as you can, ask allot of question and you came to the right place. One point of advice I can give you is that there are some awsome fish stores out there and some shady ones. Any advice given you might want to look up to make sure its the right advice. Dont rush things, this hooby is expensive but could be cheaper if you take your time and make sure you make the correct purchases. Hope this helps, oh yea, WELCOME!!!!
If your looking to start a salt water tank and it just be fish only, then you dont need to add any supplements. If your going to add fake corals, again no supplements. If you are going to start a saltwater tank that is going have live corals, then you need supplements. Reef Biulder is a additive for live corals. Again, research as much as you can, ask allot of question and you came to the right place. One point of advice I can give you is that there are some awsome fish stores out there and some shady ones. Any advice given you might want to look up to make sure its the right advice. Dont rush things, this hooby is expensive but could be cheaper if you take your time and make sure you make the correct purchases. Hope this helps, oh yea, WELCOME!!!!
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
here's a link to some reefkeeping acronyms. Make sure to check these out!
http://www.reefcentral.com/modules.php?s=&name=Encyclopedia&op=terms&eid=2<r=all
http://www.reefcentral.com/modules.php?s=&name=Encyclopedia&op=terms&eid=2<r=all
davidryder
Claris or Elliot?
One of the problems with adding fakes corals is the algae they will be covered with after a few months - and it will be very difficult to clean it off. Just a thought 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10915334#post10915334 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by davidryder
One of the problems with adding fakes corals is the algae they will be covered with after a few months - and it will be very difficult to clean it off. Just a thought
But I think those corals are OK for doing a Fresh water dip! Don't quote me on that though
[welcome]
uscharalph
New member
Welcome. I'd decide on a tank size and check out similar setups on this forum.
Similar threads
