Captive Aquatics: An Aquarium and Ecology Blog

Species Spotlight: Mushroom Coral

This post begins our new Species Spotlight category, bringing you species-specific information about popular freshwater and saltwater fish and invertebrates. 

Mushroom Coral are the most forgiving coral any aquarist could ask for. Quick to reproduce in the home aquarium, with low light and flow requirements, they may very well be the best beginner’s coral available in the hobby. They also have much to offer to more advanced aquarist, whether it be as a space filler, or a "Mushroom Garden" which displays the many, many color and texture varieties these coral exhibit.

Three Ways to Feed your Reef Aquarium

Reef aquarists often overlook the necessity of a well-fed reef aquarium, and instead worry that increased feedings will only result in undesirable nutrient levels.  However, on a wild reef, corals are literally bathed in a soup of edible plankton.  The more effort that the aquarist puts forth to mimicking these conditions, the more colorful, healthy, and faster-growing their corals will be!  Although feeding a reef aquarium undeniably increases the dissolved nutrient level in the water column.  However, this is most definitely not a reason to avoid feeding, or to feed sparingly, and in fact, can be a good thing.

The Not-So-Giant Clam: Tridacna crocea

Editor's Note: this post introduces Brandon Klaus, a marine biologist and reef aquarium enthusiast kind enough to write for the Captive Aquatics Blog. 

The Tridacna crocea clam, also called the boring clam, is the smallest of the "giant clam" species. It reaches a maximum length of about 6" (15 cm) and is often found in large groups on hard substrates.

Nano Reef Aquariums, as easy as 1, 2, 3! [Part 3]

 Part 3 of 3 of April's feature: Nano Reef Aquariums.  If you haven't already, read part one and part two first!

Part 3:  Water Quality

Water quality is an important issue in the nano reef aquarium.  With such a small water volume, you're going to have to keep on top of your maintenance if you want to keep a healthy reef. 

Large weekly water changes of at least 1/3rd of the volume of the tank (preferably 1/2 to all of it!) should be performed weekly (ensure the replacement water is the same temp/salinity).  When I first started keeping nano aquariums, I was having a lot of trouble maintaining proper water quality. I was using various additives, which would cause my water chemistry to go out of whack because of the small water volume, which would lead to more water chemistry problems, causing a never ending cycle!  I finally realized something so simple it should have occurred to me sooner: stop using additives, and just stick to water changes! Weekly water changes of 50-75% are highly recommended to remove wastes and replace trace elements and calcium.  Chemical supplements/additives are both not recommended and not necessary in a nano reef. 

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Nano Reef Aquariums, as easy as 1, 2, 3! [Part 2]

This is part two of four of Captive Aquatic Blog's Nano Reef series.  If you haven't already, read part one here. 

Now that your initial setup is complete, your tank as water, live rock, and sand, and is finished cycling, the fun begins! 

Nano Reef Aquariums, as easy as 1, 2, 3! [Part 1]

 

Welcome to our four part series on Nano Reef Aquariums!  This series will be premiering weekly throughout the month.  Subscribe so that you don't miss out!

Part one: Essential Planning

Interested in a reef aquarium, but don’t want the large expense?  Consider starting a nano reef!  A nano aquarium is any aquarium with a water volume of 30 gallons or less.  Nano aquariums are becoming increasingly common because of their small size, lower price, availability of pre-fabricated units, and unique look.  However, there are greater challenges to successfully maintaining a nano aquarium than there are in a larger aquarium with a more forgiving water volume.  After my share of nano reef trials, I’ve written a three step guide which will help you avoid some of these “small tank” woes.

The Garden Reef: A Detrimental Trend?

Coral in shallow water, Belize barrier reef.  Notice the lack of species variety; all coral present is scleractinian in origin and requires intense lighting.  An aquarium simulating these conditions would be a poor environment for 'LPS' or 'soft' corals.  Mike Maddox

A current trend in the hobby as of late seems to be the 'conglomerate' or 'garden' reef aquarium, with many coral speces being crammed (for lack of a better word) into a reef aquarium with little to no consideration for the individual coral species' requirements.  This tendency towards an "all-in-one" approach detracts from the health of the animals within, beacuse the aquarium conditions cannot possibly replicate the ideal habitat for such a variety of animals.