We have so much to learn about the inner workings of ICP testing. We asked Reef Therapy Sponsor Steve Visser of ICP-Analysis about his own machine and testing processes. What is the difference between ICP MS and ICP OES machines? …
advice
What kind of Saltwater Tank do you want?
Up until this point just about everything that has been done in preparation of setting up a new tank is pretty much the same. A tank, stand, skimmer, lights, etc are all going to be used regardless of what you…
How To Keep Leptogorgia Gorgonians
Ahhh the wonderful Leptogorgia virgulata, a beautiful non-photosynthetic gorgonian. This wonderful species of gorgonian calls most of the eastern seaboard of the United States home. It can also be found on both coasts of Florida. This species comes in a…
The Benefits of Modern Reef Tank Technology
As with all technology, the technology related to the hobby and maintaining a successful reef tank has also improved significantly over the decades. In the early years technology consisted of small microprocessors that were only able to measure temperature, pH,…
Substrate versus Bare Bottom Reef Aquariums
As with many aspects of reefkeeping, there is no perfect way. Even something as seemingly simple as whether to choose substrate or go bare bottom leads to a discussion. As someone who has run both types of systems and is…
Clean-up Crew, and Their Role in the Reef Aquarium
As mentioned in last week’s article algae and how to manage it is still the biggest problem/concern of many hobbyists both new and old. I would love to say that if everything is kept in balance and nutrients are kept…
Is Chasing Numbers Chasing Your Tail?
With ICP (ICP-OES / Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy) testing becoming commonplace for a well-kept reef aquarium, the methods for interpreting the results and putting these numbers to good use are becoming quite varied and potentially confusing. One method…
How to keep Algae from Becoming Problematic
Whether you are starting out or have been keeping a reef tank for a long time the number one worry that most hobbyists still seem to have is how to keep algae in check. Since the start of the hobby…
How to Manage the Ugly Stage of a New Reef Tank
There are few inevitable things in life and even fewer in this hobby. But the one inevitable that everyone encounters when they set up a new tank is that there will be an ugly phase. It does not matter if…
How and Why to Dose Your Reef Tank
We’re asked more questions on dosing than virtually anything else. Here’s a Beginner’s Guide and our most Frequently Asked Questions on Reef Tank Dosing. What is dosing? Dosing is when you add buffer to your reef tank to keep water…