You’ve opted to keep reef fishes in your aquarium for its beauty and uniqueness, and now you need to learn how to properly maintain the conditions of your aquarium. In this article, we’ll go over the different components of a Reef Aquarium, including Orp, Temperature, Filtration system, and Critters. Once you’ve learned about these components, it’s time to get started! And don’t worry, the process won’t be complicated!
Orp
Orp (Oxygen Reduction Potential) is a measure of the amount of oxidizers and reducers in the water. Adding oxidizers will raise the ORP in the water while reducing organic molecules will lower the ORP. In the ocean, ORP levels range from 300 to 450 mV. However, it is important to maintain a balance between these two extremes. Excessively high ORP levels can be harmful for the fish in the aquarium.
A good ORP will remain consistent within a few hours, and high ORP levels are often a sign of good overall water quality. High ORP values are generally good indicators of healthy water conditions, but they may also indicate that a particular animal is not eating well, or is rotting due to poor nutrition. However, some research suggests that the presence of a low ORP in a tank may indicate the need for more frequent water changes.
Temperature
One of the most important factors to consider when setting up a reef aquarium is its temperature. The ideal temperature of your reef aquarium varies depending on the type of water that you use, the bioload produced by different organisms, and the amount of circulation the tank gets. Reef tanks in warm water tend to be warmer than those in cold water. Here are some guidelines for achieving the perfect temperature for your tank. And while you’re at it, don’t forget about aeration!
One way to measure the temperature of your reef tank is to use a glass cylinder. While they do the job, they can be tricky to use and read. Aquarium glass thermometers are notoriously inaccurate. If you want to keep your tank at a comfortable temperature, you can use an ice cube method to warm the water. A good temperature controller will also warn you if the aquarium begins to get too hot or too cold.
Filtration system
If you’re thinking about setting up a reef aquarium but are unsure of what you need, there are many ways to filter water. The Aquarium of the Pacific uses live rock as part of their filtration system. This material is rich in beneficial bacteria and small invertebrates. The large volume of bacteria makes it the perfect medium for biological filtration. A live rock bed can be added to any tank. Here are some examples of the different filtration systems.
A mechanical filtration system will remove suspended particles from the water in your aquarium. It will not eliminate any dissolved waste, but it will improve the quality of the water in your tank. Mechanical filtration systems are the most common and affordable. Most use a strainer that traps free-floating particles. The water is then diverted through the strainer and filtered. The filtration system will include a protein skimmer, filter sponge, substrate reactors, and a filter sock.
Critters
Many fish and other invertebrates can be beneficial in a reef aquarium. While some of them are predatory, others are beneficial. For example, the Nassarius snail is a cleaner critter. This small brown or cream-colored creature burrows into the sand bed of the aquarium. It sifts through it and collects debris. The larvae of this snail are able to feed on fish meat, so they will clean up dead specimens from the aquarium.
Sea spiders are tiny but can be destructive to corals, sea anemones, and coral polyps. However, they can also be helpful in a reef aquarium as they feed on nuisance algae and other invertebrates. Sea anemones are a common addition to a reef aquarium. Lionfish are found at depths of 150 feet in the sea. Their stings are painful to humans, so they are best kept at bay when a reef tank is populated with them.
Setup
Once you’ve decided to create a reef aquarium, you’ll need to learn how to properly arrange the rocks. In order to create a natural-looking reef, you should aim to use at least one pound of rock per gallon of water. This means that a 75-gallon tank with a 55-gallon sump would need approximately seventy-five to one hundred and thirty pounds of rock. The lower end of this range is usually sufficient. Surface-lit rock is a better option because it allows you to place more corals. It also looks more natural.
Choosing an appropriate stand is important – it should be able to hold the largest sump and fit into the entire room. Alternatively, you can build one from scratch or buy one that is already made to fit your tank’s dimensions. If you are buying an aqualifter, you will need to install a hanging mount and connect it to the overflow using airline tubing. You should also select a filtration system according to the type of aquarium you’re planning on keeping.
