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A reef aquarium or reef tank is an aquarium containing live corals and other animals associated with coral reefs. It is considered to be one of the most difficult aquarium setups to create and maintain. more...

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In recent years, advancements in our knowledge of the reef, coupled with more refined reef maintenance techniques, the reef tank has become much more accessible to the hobbyist.

From theme reefs which attempt to recreate life specific to one region of the world like the Great Barrier Reef to the more prevalent and often spectacularly colored mixed reef that blend hard and soft coral from around the world. Unlike the marine aquarium which main purpose is to house various fish, the true stars of the reef tank are the coral and other invertebrates.

Methodology

The aquarium

The first step in building a successful reef aquarium is the tank itself. Most hobbyists prefer what are called "Reef Ready Aquariums" which are identical to regular glass or acrylic style tanks save for an internal overflow made of plastic or glass which encloses holes that have been drilled into the bottom glass to accommodate a drain or standpipe and a return line. Water pours over the overflow into and down the standpipe, through PVC piping, into a sump, which houses various filtration and heating equipment, through a return water pump and finally back via more piping through the second hole into the aquarium. An alternative method to having a tank that is already drilled is to use a hang on tank overflow with a U-tube (via a continuous siphon).

Filtration

Unlike the marine aquarium that use a combination of mechanical, chemical and biological filtration, reef aquariums primary filtration comes from the use of large amounts of live rock which come from various rubble zones around existing reefs or more recently aquacultured rock from Florida which is supplemented by powerful protein skimmers. This method first came from Germany and is aptly termed the Berlin Method.

The typical rule of thumb is to use from .75 to 2 pounds of live rock per gallon of aquarium water depending on the density of the rock – or filling the tank up 2/3 of the way to the top. The benefit of using live rock is four fold: First, live rock acts as a biological filter, adding beneficial bacteria. Secondly, it introduces an abundance of marine life to the aquarium that many fish, invertebrates and corals use for food. Thirdly, it provides a natural reef appearance with ample places to locate corals. Live rock also will help balance and stabilize PH in the aquarium.

Mechanical filtration is often avoided because sponge filters, filter floss and filter socks trap detritus and produces nitrates which stunt the growth or even kill many delicate corals. Chemical filtration is used sparingly so to avoid discoloration of the water, to remove dissolved matter (organic or otherwise) and to help stabilize the reef system.

Read more at Wikipedia.org