Category: General Information

  • What is live sand?

    What is live sand?

    A new saltwater aquarium is a somewhat sterile, harsh environment for those first few animals to colonize. As a result, some of those first fish and invertebrates we add to our tanks don’t survive. It can be challenging to nail down exactly what this new tank syndrome is, but the bottom line is that it can…

  • Converting to a marine aquarium from freshwater

    Converting to a marine aquarium from freshwater

    A comprehensive guide for anyone with a freshwater aquarium interested in converting to a marine aquarium Thinking about converting to a marine aquarium? When I was a kid, I got hooked into the aquarium hobby by starting out with a freshwater aquarium. As I have gotten to know many of the stories shared with me…

  • Keeping a successful saltwater aquarium: check out these 5 tips

    Keeping a successful saltwater aquarium: check out these 5 tips

    I asked members of the Saltwater Aquarium Blog Newsletter Community, “What is the best tip you ever received about keeping a successful saltwater aquarium?” You shared A LOT of tips–many of them were variations on a similar theme.   Here are the top 5 tips for keeping a successful saltwater aquarium These are the top tips…

  • How to Cycle a Saltwater Tank

    How to Cycle a Saltwater Tank

    In this post, I will cover the basics about one of the most fundamental steps you need to take when setting up a new aquarium: how to cycle a tank. What does it mean to cycle a saltwater tank? Ok, here it goes–I’m going to keep it real for a minute. The fish and invertebrates you…

  • Attending a Reef Aquarium Conference

    Attending a Reef Aquarium Conference

    On April 23, 2017, I had the good fortune to attend the 5th Annual Ocean State Reef Aquarium Society Conference, in Rhode Island. This is a bit self indulgent, but I thought I  would share my experience with you. If you have ever thought about going to a reef aquarium conference, but weren’t sure what…

  • Chasing perfection when good enough is good enough

    Chasing perfection when good enough is good enough

    Chasing perfection when good enough is good enough One  of the things I love the most about this hobby is that it is an art, as much as it is a science. However, inadequate success with the artful side of things can also be maddeningly frustrating. Our tanks are not just a comprehensive set of water parameters, they…

  • Top 10 Articles of 2016

    Top 10 Articles of 2016

    2016 Year in Review A sincere thank you for all of your support this year. Without your support, I would just be a crazy person typing to himself (and maybe my Mom and Dad). Now I’m a crazy person typing to you, and you’re reading it. I do appreciate that you’re there. I had a…

  • Reef Aquarium Club Listing & Directory

    Reef Aquarium Club Listing & Directory

    Reef Aquarium Club Listing & Directory One of the best ways to learn about the saltwater aquarium hobby, meet other people that share your interests, get help locally and save money at your favorite local and online fish stores is to join a Reef Aquarium Club. Marine Aquarium Society of North America (MASNA) Many of the…

  • 5 Saltwater Aquarium Tips to Help You Save Money

    5 Saltwater Aquarium Tips to Help You Save Money

    5 Saltwater Aquarium Tips to Help You Save Money The saltwater aquarium hobby is an expensive hobby–there is no hiding or avoiding that. But that doesn’t mean you have to waste money to enjoy it. Here are 5 tried-and-true saltwater aquarium tips to help you save money. 5. Switch to LED lights (or start out that…

  • This is why you don’t try to keep two tangs in the same tank

    This is why you don’t try to keep two tangs in the same tank

    This is why you don’t try to keep two tangs in the same tank. I took a trip to (what used to be) my favorite local fish store today. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. I arrived at the store 10 minutes early and waited, in anticipation, for the manager to unlock the door.…