Tag: General information
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Pineapple Sponges: reef aquarium guide
“Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?” Okay, yes, everyone knows the iconic line from SpongeBob. But do you know you CAN find such a thing? Pineapple sponges, I mean. However, they’re not as easy to spot as a certain pants-wearing character. And some hobbyists aren’t fans of these underwater pineapples. (You may not…
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Majano Anemone: Identification and Removal
Hobbyists know the look of the dreaded Aiptasia anemone. Spotting this plague of saltwater aquariums is an acquired skill (not to mention learning to route the invader). But what about the similar majano anemone? You need to look close to tell the two species apart. And, yes, it matters. Because the methods used to remove…
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Bubble Algae: Removing the Bubbles From Your Tank
You walk past your tank and notice a pearly green sphere tucked among the live rock. It looks attractive, so you leave it alone. Then more appear. And MORE. Before you know it, you’re combatting dreaded bubble algae. As pretty as those colorful colonies may be, it doesn’t take much for them to overtake a…
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Zoanthid Gardens
If you have a reef tank, odds are you have a zoanthid or two. Or ten. Zoas get addicting. They’re a hobbyist favorite courtesy of the hundreds of potential colors and ease of keeping. And the popularity of these “corals” has prompted the move toward cultivating zoanthid gardens. If you have the space in your…
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Removing diatoms and brown algae from a reef tank
Have you spotted clusters of unwanted patches of brown growth in your tank? Brown algae probably come to mind first. (Quick-growing, plant-like, covering EVERY surface) What if I told you those growths were a particular group of algae known as diatoms. And eradicating them from your saltwater aquarium can get tricky. Because diatoms exist EVERYWHERE.…
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Aquarium Stocking Guide: How Many Fish Per Tank?
When you set up your first saltwater aquarium, the temptation is to pack in as many of your favorite species as possible. But if you refer to the average aquarium stocking guide, you know that practice won’t work. Overcrowded tanks lead to complications with water quality. You can also end up with behavior problems as…
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Water Movement: Why It’s Important in a Saltwater Aquarium
Maintaining high-quality saltwater is, arguably, the most important thing you do for your reef aquarium. And I bet if I asked for the most important water parameters, you’d list temperature, pH, and nutrient or contaminant levels. Well, one other important water parameter often gets ignored, neglected, or otherwise taken for granted: water movement. Your water…
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Choosing the Best Aquarium Reactor Media
Everyone loves a clean saltwater aquarium. But crystal-clear views through the glass don’t happen by magic. You need special filters such as aquarium reactor media to get the job done. Otherwise, you face an uphill battle with potential toxins, wastes, and thriving algae. (To say nothing of the potential health hazards your fish and invertebrates…
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Aquarium Sand: Choosing a Saltwater Aquarium Substrate
When you get started with your saltwater aquarium, you have PLENTY of decisions to make. And one of the first you need to decide? Which aquarium sand will you go with to cover the bottom of the tank? Maybe you haven’t considered the number of options out there. Or perhaps you have, and you’re working…
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The 9 Best Saltwater Aquarium Blogs
Are you looking for a good saltwater aquarium blog to read? (Well, clearly, since you’re here) But maybe you’d like a handy list of the best saltwater aquarium blogs you can turn to whenever you need to find reference materials for your hobby. Sometimes obscure problems pop up. And bloggers never discuss the same topics…
