Aquarium lighting for reef tanks

A topic that is not discussed very often is aquarium lighting for reef tanks. Although this topic is not discussed very much it is very important within a salt water reef tank.

After water quality the next most important thing is aquarium lighting for reef tanks, followed closely by water movement.

Water quality gives the tank stability as well as providing the corals with the essential elements. Aquarium lighting provides the corals with energy which they then use to grow. Water movement allows nutrients to be delivered to the corals for them to feed upon, as well as washing away waste. Water movement is also essential when natural filtration is used in the reef tank.

Inside all corals are millions upon millions of what is called symbiotic algae. The only exceptions are those corals which are classified as non-photosynthetic. These obtain their energy from feeding rather than from light itself. Photosynthetic corals obtain their primary source of energy from light and then also actively feed to obtain more energy. The symbiotic algae within the corals obtain energy from the light and then pass this energy on to the coral itself ?€“ a match made in heaven!

Different corals have different lighting requirements. For example, short polyp stony corals require much more intense lighting than soft corals do.

When choosing aquarium lighting for reef tanks you need to check two things in your reef tank. The first is the corals themselves, so that you can ascertain their requirements, and the other is the depth of the aquarium itself. Checking the depth is important as light can only penetrate so far into water before the colour is removed. It is amazing how quickly water can remove colour from light.

The depth of your aquarium as well as the corals you keep will determine which type of lighting you require. For example, if you keep soft corals then you could possibly just use fluorescent tubes. However, if you keep short polyp stony corals then metal halide lighting will be required. The depth needs to be checked because if you have a deep aquarium then the colour might not penetrate to the bottom of the aquarium. Water has the ability to be able to strip out colour at an amazing rate, therefore if you have a deep aquarium you will need lighting of enough power to be able to push the light to the bottom of the aquarium.

Another component of aquarium lighting for reef tanks which needs to be considered is that of Kelvin. Kelvin is the colour output and the higher the rating in the Kelvin scale the bluer the light will be. At the other end of the scale the lower the rating the more yellow/red it will be. Normally in a reef aquarium a Kelvin rating of 10,000K to 13,000K is utilised. This is a white/blue colour which replicates life on the reef at a depth of about 30m.

When placing corals into your reef aquarium you will need to first check what their lighting requirements are and then place them at the bottom of the reef tank and slowly move them up over time until they are in their final position.

Saltwater Aquarium Fish

Choosing the Right Kind of Water for your Aquarium

Getting fish can be very exciting. There are so many different kinds of fish that sometimes it can be hard to choose. Fish come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns. They can look exotic or ordinary, bright or dull. Some are large, and others very tiny. They can add a great deal to any home d?cor, adding variety and color to the home. Additionally, they make great pets, teaching children responsibility. Plus, they are easy to care for, and if you get a good filter and keep the tank out of the sun, you only have to clean the tank every couple of weeks. But you can’t just buy a bunch of fish and toss them into the water. You have to make sure that your fish and your water go together.

For most fish, just any water will not do. There are two main types of fish: salt water fish and fresh water fish. You can kill fish by putting them in the wrong kind of water. A salt water fish does not thrive in fresh water, and you can easily kill a fresh water fish by putting it into salt water. This means that you have to be careful when selecting fish for your tank. You need to make sure you are getting the right fish for your tank. Otherwise, you will find your fish belly up in a mere matter of days.

If you are set on particular fish, then it is important to determine what kind of water they will need before you buy them. You want to make sure that you will have access to the proper water before buying the fish. After all, it is so much a waste of money to buy fish when you cannot get the proper water. And many pet shops will not take fish back. This is because they might pick up diseases, and shop owners do not want to take them back. On most fish, there is a no return policy in force at the majority of pet stores. So do your research ahead of time so that you know exactly what you need in terms of water for your desired fish.

The other thing you need to make sure you have is the proper fish tank. Some tanks are made specifically for salt water, and some are made for fresh water. There are tanks that are made for both, so that you can use either. Before you purchase your fish, make sure that you have the right tank. You want to be sure that your tank is the right kind of home for your fish. Plus, you do not want to ruin the tank by putting the wrong kind of water in it. Tanks can be quite expensive, and it is a bad idea to ruin one with the wrong water. Getting a tank meant for either type of water can be a good move, as it allows you the flexibility to change your mind later on down the road.

Saltwater Aquarium Fish

Saltwater Aquarium Fish - How To Take Care Of Saltwater Aquariums

This article intends to provide you all the necessary information on salt water aquarium and its maintenance.

Aquariums at home are said to be the best stress relievers. Aquariums can be big or small depending on the maintenance and care possible at home. There are two types of aquariums fresh water aquariums and salt water aquariums. The salt water aquariums are difficult to maintain than the fresh water aquariums as the ecology of the salt water aquarium differs and needs to be handled and taken care of with proper knowledge.

A Salt water aquarium looks more beautiful, appealing and colorful for the simple reason it can have wide range of fishes and mammals, live corals, anemones, crustaceans or jelly fish. You can also keep some extravagantly colored reef fishes to enhance the beauty of the aquarium and the movement inside it looks vibrant and colorful. Some popular salt water fishes are Comical blenny, Angelfish, Clown fish, Blue lined triggerfish and Damsels and can be kept in salt water aquariums.

Some skilled and advanced aquarists keep squids and octopuses which creates an exact replica of the marine life at your desired place. The variety of fishes and marine life which is chosen to make the aquarium more vivacious and full of life is the main reason of its popularity.

Before going for a salt water aquarium, it is always better to study and research the ecosystem of salt water fishes, their food habits, the environment and surroundings conducive for their growth and development and the water temperature required for their survival. The extra time devoted for the study and research and knowing the exact requirement will prove beneficial in the long run as starting a salt water aquarium will definitely prove to be a gratifying experience.

To start with you will require a fish tank, Substrates, Filtration System, Heater or Thermometer, power head, protein skimmer, air pump and water pump. Whereas you can chose any one of the basic forms of salt water aquarium. Either you can go for the fish only, Fish with Live Rock or Reef system.

Salt water Aquarium Dos and Don'ts

The aquarium should be at least of 200 litres, as smaller one will have a problem of maintaining water quality and balance. The material of the aquarium should to be either glass or acrylic.

The location should not be in too much or too little sunlight. Excess sunlight will result in the growth of algae and too little sunlight will also be harmful. Always maintain a constant temperature.

Make sure that the decoration kept, in the aquarium is salt proof otherwise it may poison your aquarium. Filter the aquarium whenever required. The filtration processes are mechanical filtration, biological filtration and chemical filtration.

Dont use ordinary salt water in your aquarium. Always use aquarium salt water available in fish store and mix in water following the proper instruction.

The cleaning should never be done with detergent and soap as they pollute the water and harm the ecosystem. A cupful of pure bleach added to 10 gallons of water will do the needful. Then clean it with fresh water afterwards.

To maintain balance between the salts and water levels it is very essential to use a hydrometer. The water from the aquarium keeps evaporating buy the level of salt remains the same. To compensate the level of evaporated water salt water is not required. But to know the exact salinity of water Hydrometer is very helpful and will help you to add water as per requirement.

Saltwater Aquarium Fish