Reef Zones

[DidYouSayReefer]

I have recently become interested in creating a more natural reef. I feel the more natural approach has many benefits. For one, my creatures will be more compatible since they live side by side in nature. This might help me avoid some coral warfare. Does anyone have any links or know of any good books on the different reef zones and which inverts/fish live in these zones? I would like to learn more so I can ceate a more natural reef.

 

[MCsaxmaster]

Guide books and books on the natural history of coral reefs would be the place to look. You should be able to find some cursory info as articles and such online as well.

 

[burris]

here's an article by Richard Harker http://www.fishchannel.com/saltwater-aquariums/aquarium-frontiers/natural-coral-reef.aspx

Richard poo-poos the ubiquitous pile'o'liverock.

 

[DidYouSayReefer]

Thanks alot. I want to try something new to emulate something more natural. Obviously, without a billion gallons of water I will never get there, but the closer the better. I am considering a rubble bottom vs. a sand bottom to produce more microfauna. I need to learn more about the different zones first.

 

[lancer99]

John Tullock's book "Natural Reef Systems" has some good info on reef zonation, especially Caribbean/Floridian.

-R

 

[WarrenG]

The main variables on a wild reef are the light levels (amount/intensity), the color temperature of the light, availability of food, and water flow.

WRT water flow, what I've seen in the wild is that very few of the corals we keep in aquariums are exposed to back and forth water movement every 30 seconds or so, a.k.a. "surge" like you might find in the first ten feet of water in the ocean.

Most of our favorite corals live deeper than 10 feet and receive flow from currents that ebb and flow over periods of hours.