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Which
Is Right for You?
A Fish Only Aquarium or A Reef Aquarium
Fish Only Tank
or Reef Is a Key Decision
Before purchasing ANY equipment, you should decide on what type of environment
(or set-up) you want - a fish only or a reef tank. Some may argue that
a fish only tank is easier to keep, as fishes can withstand a greater
degree of pollution and water quality fluctuations. A "reef"
tank though slightly more difficult, is much more interesting, and gives
one a greater sense of achievement and satisfaction. Many people start
off with a fish only tank, only to upgrade to a reef tank later. This
invariably results in some equipment having to be replaced, because they
did not buy "reef quality" originally. It's a good idea to buy
your equipment with a reef tank in mind, even though you may initially
plan to keep only fish.
Is "Fish Only"
Easier To Keep Than "Reef"?
The general statement that "a fish only system is easier to keep"
(or that "invertebrates are a lot harder to keep") is very misleading,
and totally unfair to novice marine aquarists.
Let me explain:
Keeping "easy"
inverts, such as some species of soft corals, cleaner shrimps, featherduster
worms, etc. are actually easier than keeping fish. They cause much less
pollution, and therefore place less of a bio load on the system, which
maker filtration a lot less critical. They don't get diseases such as
"ich", and many do not need much feeding either. You do need
a minimum amount of light in order to keep corals and other photosynthetic
animals. Fortunately the easier "low light" softies, such as
brown or green Star Polyps (Pachyclavutaria and Briareum spp.), Mushroom
corals (Sarcophyton sp.) and Devils Hand or Rnger leather corals can be
kept under normal fluorescent lights - though you would need quite a few
tubes....
The "difficult"
part of keeping a reef tank is when you also want tots of fish in it.
This just does not work very well, and is not recommended for "newbies".
Rather start off with a "marginal reef" tank, with lots of live
rock, a deep live sand bed substrate (both very important elements of
your filtration, as well as being interesting in their own right), some
"easy" 50 foot corals, some tube worms, etc. and only a few
reef compatible fish.
Do your research first,
though. Learn as much as you can about the different filtration methods,
compatibility of livestock, food and feeding, and everything else you
can pick up. Then, carefully plan your setup, and GO SLOWLY. In this hobby
there is a saying~
In A Reef Aquarium,
Only Bad Things Happen Quickly
If you stock your aquarium before it has cycled properly, you will probably
kill your animals. If you stock too rapidly, your tank will have another
ammonia/nitrite spike, again probably killing your animals. At best, you
will have problem algae, and sick fish. Remember that this is a long-term
hobby. It is not uncommon for a tank to only stabilize properly after
6 months. Your corals can outlive you, and even the most common fish can
live longer than 20 years, if you do your bit....
You’ll find
everything you need in our on-line store or stop
into our Issaquah, Washington store.
Next, follow these
Ten Easy Steps to Successful Freshwater Aquarium
Installation to get your tank setup and ready for fish.
[Setting
Up a Marine Aquarium] [Cycling A System
with Live “Uncured” Rock]
[Reef Basics]
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