Raise your hand if you like shallow reef tanks because we sure do!! While scrolling through #reefbuilders on Instagram it seems these lagoon-style reefs are becoming increasingly popular for their minimalistic design and aesthetic.
What’s really neat about this style of tank is when aquarist incorporate rock work that breaks the surface of the water and include mangrove plants. This is what creates a true lagoon style tank.
While there is no definition of what is a shallow tank they are usually placed below eye level. Because of this reason with the pumps turned off you can get a great topdown view just like you were looking into a shallow ocean lagoon.
Popular corals in these tanks are flowing corals like Gonipora, Euphyllia, leather corals and clove polyps, colorful polyps like Zoanthids, Micromussa, Blastomussa, Trachyhyllia, and grassy green star polyps. Corals that live on the sand like Cycloceris, Diaseris, and Fungia disc corals are also popular.
Another common theme we find in these tanks are sea anemones of all shapes and sizes, of course with a pair of iconic clownfish.
We love seeing all your beautiful tanks on Instagram so make sure to keep tagging us with #reefbuilders or @reefbuilders in your stories for a chance to be featured.
