You have looked at them in the Fish Shop and seen them in the Fish Magazines, now you are ready to build your own glorious Coral Reef Tank. What is the first step ?

There are many different approaches to Coral Reef Tanks as there are opinions. This article and the ones following it are intended as simple suggestions based on past experience. Let me first state that no matter what approach or piece of equipment you select, the main item for success is YOU, and YOUR understanding of YOUR system, YOUR inhabitants, and the amount of attention that YOU devote to it.

Lets run through the basic components of a Coral Reef Tank. The tank, stand and canopy, the filtration system, protein skimmer, water pumps and lights. Once we have discussed those components its then time to look into the inhabitants of the tank which include Saltwater, Live Rock, possibly Live Sand, and the choice of Corals and Fish. Once we get past those goodies, we then need to think about Chemical additions, Feeding and Maintenance practices, as well as, Temperature control.

If you have already been to the Fish Shop pricing these items you will already know, and if you haven’t, then let me tell you that a Coral Reef Tank is not an inexpensive hobby to get involved in, but what hobby is ? A properly set up and maintained Coral Reef Tank can run into the thousands of dollars not including the need for the monthly operating costs. This is not to say that one can not have a small, inexpensive, successful Coral Reef Tank, but for most if you are not willing to invest the money required to do it properly, then its best that you leave those beautiful little aquatic items in someone else’s hands as our Oceans Life is too precious to needlessly cause its demise.

Now, if I have not scared you away from a Coral Reef Tank with what is involved, then you just might be ready to take a step forward into an exciting, educational and rewarding hobby.