Hey Everyone,
Occasionally, as you know, I like to rant a bit...or at the very least, expand upon some thoughts in my head...:smile:
Steve Weast's amazing 850 gallon aquarium. This is an example of a reef that did almost everything right! Photo courtesy of Steve Weast
I was fortunate to visit the large reef aquarium of a friend of mine recently, which I hadn’t seen in some time. The aquarium was beautiful, with crystal clear water, lush growth of coral, and happy, active fishes. Every time I visit a successful reef aquarium, I almost can go into a mental “checklist†of attributes that seem to be in place.
I figured that it’s about time a memorialize them! So here, not listed in any particular order, are 10 characteristics of successful reefs. Sure, there are probably dozens more attributes, but here are some of the most obvious that I’ve noted over the years:
1) The aquarium is not overstocked- The hobbyist has used common sense in adding livestock to the aquarium. Corals and fishes are not forced to compete for space, current, light, dissolved oxygen, and other resources, because the hobbyist has restrained himself/herself from cramming every possible animal into the reef.
2) The aquarist engages in a regular program of maintenance, ranging from water changes to media replacement, to simple things like changing light bulbs or cleaning lenses. Maintenance issues are not taken care of “wheneverâ€, or “when I feel like itâ€; rather, they are scheduled and a more-or-less regular interval of maintenance is adhered to.
3) The aquarium has a “themeâ€. In other words, it’s not just a random aggregation of animals- “a little of this and a little of thatâ€. Rather, the aquarist has stocked his/her system along the lines that the bulk of the animals are soft corals, “LPS†corals, or Acropora. Mixes of every conceivable type of coral are typically avoided.
4) Some form of chemical filtration is used, ranging from activated carbon to organic scavenger resins, and every type of media in between. These materials are regularly attended to and replaced as needed.
5) The aquarist is very engaged in his or her reef system. In other words, they enjoy more than just looking at the animals- they are involved in one way or another in many aspects of the system – design, maintenance, stocking, “tweakingâ€, and even just observing the aquarium on a regular basis.
6) The aquarist knows about each and every animal in the system. Sure, he or she may not know every scientific fact, but they have a working knowledge of what is in there, what it needs to thrive, and how to provide for its care. Nothing is left to chance.
7) The aquarist reads extensively, or participates in one or more online forum, club, or group, and regularly engages with and exchanges information with other hobbyists.
8) Access to equipment is easy. Reactors, pumps, electrical systems are all easily accessible for regular maintenance.
9) The aquarist is patient. Lessons learned by listening to others, or from success and failure, have been incorporated into the system design, stocking practices, maintenance procedures, and philosophy behind the reef.
10) Quality equipment is used. The aquarist has invested in equipment that is designed and built for reliable, long-term service. Nothing is left to chance.
Again, this just scratches the surface, but I think it kind of touches on a few points that might be overlooked. I'd love to hear your thoughts on some that I might not have touched upon...Everyone can learn from everyone else!
Regards,
Scott Fellman
Unique Corals
Occasionally, as you know, I like to rant a bit...or at the very least, expand upon some thoughts in my head...:smile:
Steve Weast's amazing 850 gallon aquarium. This is an example of a reef that did almost everything right! Photo courtesy of Steve Weast
I was fortunate to visit the large reef aquarium of a friend of mine recently, which I hadn’t seen in some time. The aquarium was beautiful, with crystal clear water, lush growth of coral, and happy, active fishes. Every time I visit a successful reef aquarium, I almost can go into a mental “checklist†of attributes that seem to be in place.
I figured that it’s about time a memorialize them! So here, not listed in any particular order, are 10 characteristics of successful reefs. Sure, there are probably dozens more attributes, but here are some of the most obvious that I’ve noted over the years:
1) The aquarium is not overstocked- The hobbyist has used common sense in adding livestock to the aquarium. Corals and fishes are not forced to compete for space, current, light, dissolved oxygen, and other resources, because the hobbyist has restrained himself/herself from cramming every possible animal into the reef.
2) The aquarist engages in a regular program of maintenance, ranging from water changes to media replacement, to simple things like changing light bulbs or cleaning lenses. Maintenance issues are not taken care of “wheneverâ€, or “when I feel like itâ€; rather, they are scheduled and a more-or-less regular interval of maintenance is adhered to.
3) The aquarium has a “themeâ€. In other words, it’s not just a random aggregation of animals- “a little of this and a little of thatâ€. Rather, the aquarist has stocked his/her system along the lines that the bulk of the animals are soft corals, “LPS†corals, or Acropora. Mixes of every conceivable type of coral are typically avoided.
4) Some form of chemical filtration is used, ranging from activated carbon to organic scavenger resins, and every type of media in between. These materials are regularly attended to and replaced as needed.
5) The aquarist is very engaged in his or her reef system. In other words, they enjoy more than just looking at the animals- they are involved in one way or another in many aspects of the system – design, maintenance, stocking, “tweakingâ€, and even just observing the aquarium on a regular basis.
6) The aquarist knows about each and every animal in the system. Sure, he or she may not know every scientific fact, but they have a working knowledge of what is in there, what it needs to thrive, and how to provide for its care. Nothing is left to chance.
7) The aquarist reads extensively, or participates in one or more online forum, club, or group, and regularly engages with and exchanges information with other hobbyists.
8) Access to equipment is easy. Reactors, pumps, electrical systems are all easily accessible for regular maintenance.
9) The aquarist is patient. Lessons learned by listening to others, or from success and failure, have been incorporated into the system design, stocking practices, maintenance procedures, and philosophy behind the reef.
10) Quality equipment is used. The aquarist has invested in equipment that is designed and built for reliable, long-term service. Nothing is left to chance.
Again, this just scratches the surface, but I think it kind of touches on a few points that might be overlooked. I'd love to hear your thoughts on some that I might not have touched upon...Everyone can learn from everyone else!
Regards,
Scott Fellman
Unique Corals
