Starting a reef involves considerable planning and organizing. Having a clear picture of how you’d like your reef to look will help make the planning process a little easier.
On top of a tank and various sea life and live corals for sale, you’ll also need various equipment that is involved in maintaining a reef. Nevertheless, before getting started it is important to have an overview of what you will need to keep an aquarium.
The Size and Where to Keep an Aquarium
An important factor to think about is the actual size of the tank. The tank size depends greatly upon the budget, how much actual space you have, and your choice of sea-life sea life and live corals for sale.
Purchasing the largest aquarium that you can afford will certainly be well worth it in the end. More space gives you more growing room for the selection of coral within the aquarium.
It is also important to establish a place to keep the aquarium and to make sure that there is plenty of room to walk around the tank too. Always remember to keep the aquarium away from the door and the windows which could possibly have a draft.
Once you’ve decided on the space where the aquarium will go, then it is time to search for the perfect tank. You can either buy one or have one made to match your desired size.
The Process of Setting Up/Equipment
The next area of starting a reef is the equipment and the setting up process. Aquariums that are all in one are straightforward when starting a reef. Building your own aquarium requires the purchase of every piece of equipment individually and then, learning how to put all of it together.
Furthermore, building your own aquarium can be quite demanding in the amount of time it consumes however, however it can be cost-effective. If you have decided to build your own tank, some of the equipment needed is an aquarium stand, pumps, filtration, lighting, heater, salt-water, live rock, sump, buckets or plastic containers, and a rubber hose or tubing.
Saltwater and the Water Testing
There is more than one way of getting saltwater for your aquarium. One way is to either purchase this from a local store or to create your own. You will have to decide for yourself which method will work best for you. Mixing saltwater from home can be quite simple, you will then need to test the water to make sure the levels are correct.
Proper Lighting, Filtration, and Maintenance
The correct lighting is crucial to the success of your reef. Furthermore, flow is vital to sustaining a healthy reef tank. There are also three types of filtration required such as mechanical, biological, and chemical.
Adding fish and sea-life is the final stage, once the aquarium is in full operation. Then you can gradually add invertebrates, corals, and fish. Start small and then increase the amount over time. The final factor is regularly adjusting the water to maintain the aquarium.