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A marine reef aquarium is a system where the home aquarist attempts to replicate a small natural coral reef environment and maintain living coral reef organisms within the confines of a closed home aquarium.
In any aquarium system and especially the marine reef system you need to concentrate on the requirements of the livestock that you will be caring for. All livestock requires stable conditions especially corals and other sessile invertebrates.
In a marine reef system the first thing you need to concentrate on and provide is water quality and stability, the second is adequate lighting. If you are able to provide both of these then your corals and other livestock will thank you for it.
There are, however, four types of marine reef system which are determined by the biological filtration and by the life which is maintained within the aquarium. This number could be reduced by considering only inhabitants, as both types of filtration could be used, or even a mixture of both, whatever the inhabitants. However, it is felt that clarity suggested the four.Â
These are:
- Marine reef system supported by manmade filtration
- Marine reef system supported by natural filtration
- Coral and invertebrate marine reef system
- Mixed reef system
(It must be noted that both of the systems which are classed by filtration type do have manmade technology in use, for example heaters, return pumps, circulation pumps etc.)
Marine Reef System Supported By Man Made Filtration
A marine reef system supported by manmade filtration is an aquarium which utilises man's technology to provide various aspects to running the system. This man made technology is based upon the mechanical, biological and chemical filtration aspects which are discussed in more detail later on in this guide.
Marine Reef System Supported By Natural Filtration
A marine reef system supported by natural filtration is an aquarium which utilises primarily natural filtration methods for running the system. Man made technology of course still has to be used in some ways.
Coral And Invertebrate Marine Reef System
This type of marine reef system is one where fish are not kept. Many other types of life, as available and suitable, are maintained. A number of aquarists nowadays are setting up these types of system as without fish there is little or no predation and the smaller organisms are able to flourish. It is also a little easier to maintain water quality as there aren't any fish to feed (you may still need to feed other life). Waste is not produced at the levels that would occur if fish were present.
Mixed Reef System
A mixed reef system is an aquarium which holds corals, invertebrates and fish. Although the water quality is harder to maintain because of the fish, the aquarium does look more natural because of the various colours of the fish and their movement. If you decide upon this type of system you need to ensure that you do not overstock, mainly fish.
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