The ocean is one of the most stunning and complex ecosystems on the planet. Its surface may seem like a vast space of blues and greens. But underneath lies a diverse world comprising colorful fish, corals, aquatic plants, and other marine life. Scuba divers and researchers risk their lives and safety to witness such breathtaking views underwater.
Notable reef systems include the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, Belize Barrier Reef, and Tubbataha Reef of the Philippines. While traveling to these destinations is worth the effort and spending, wouldn’t it be nice to have something similar in the comforts of your home?
If you want to build an underwater kingdom within the comforts of your home, check out these beginner-friendly tips:
Coral reef systems are vast and complicated. You’ll need a wide, spacious fish tank to recreate such a unique environment that will fit your home. The most common type of reef tank measures 60 cm front to back, although you can change the measurements to fit your space.
If horizontal fish tanks won’t do, try vertical or corner tanks. Vertical tanks are tall and provide ample space for large rocks and corals without compromising your square footage. Take a look at photos of marine parks aquariums for aquascaping inspiration.
Corner tanks, on the other hand, resemble the shape of an open hand fan. They’re compact compared to typical rectangular aquariums; they’re perfect for homes with smaller spaces, such as some of the houses at Camella Monticello in SJDM, Bulacan. The curved front of a corner tank also provides the illusion of a larger, more spacious aquarium.
Live rocks are mineral formations hauled from the ocean and introduced into a saltwater aquarium. Despite having “live” in their names, live rocks aren’t actually alive. They’re “alive” because they support many microscopic and macroscopic organisms’ needs for survival. These rocks also serve as the foundation for corals and aquatic plants to grow and expand into the complex reef systems we know. They also serve as biological filtration systems that maintain your tank’s salinity levels and cleanliness. Pre-cured live rocks are sold in many pet stores and aquarium specialty shops. But if you’re working with an uncured live rock hauled from the ocean, cure it first by soaking it in a bucket of three-fourths seawater.
Check for dead organisms latched onto your rock. These are either black or brown in color. Use a bristle brush to remove all the dead microorganisms, then rinse your rock after. Depending on the type of your live rock, you’ll have to leave it in the bucket of seawater for a few days or weeks.
After curing your live rock, gently place it inside your tank. Test different positions to see which aquascape suits your aquarium best. Add your sand substrate after you’ve decided your live rock’s position.
Natural ocean water can have too much salt for your reef aquarium to thrive. They may also have parasites and other organisms that kill your fish and aquatic plants. Fortunately, recreating saltwater is possible.
Purchase reef salt mix and add half a cup into one gallon of deionized tap water. Repeat this process until you have ample water to fill your fish tank. Then, gently pour your saltwater to prevent ruining your aquascape.
Use your aquarium test kits to test your saltwater’s quality. It should have the same specific gravity as natural seawater, which is 1.025 and has a pH level between 8.1 to 8.4. Testing your water also lets you check if your rock has completed its curing process. Results should show no sign of ammonia or nitrites in your fish tank.
Enhance your reef tank’s filtration system by adding a protein skimmer. It is a device that removes organic compounds, such as fish and food waste from your tank water. Air bubbles in a protein skimmer cling onto these organic compounds and collect them into a skimmer basket. This means your reef tank and its inhabitants will be healthy and clean.
Aquatic plants may live underwater, but they still need sunlight to grow. Promote photosynthesis and a healthy environment for your coral reefs and marine life by installing a reef-spec LED light on top of your aquarium. Top-quality reef-spec LED lighting helps your corals and plants bloom and have vibrant colors. Your tank light also mimics the effect of sunlight vital for your fishes’ growth.
Building a reef tank may be a challenge as it requires careful planning and procuring suitable materials to become successful. However, once you’ve gathered all the essentials, setting up and seeing your complete tank is nothing short of rewarding. Use these five tips to learn how reef tanks work and start building your miniature ocean at home.
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