FAQs on Reef Aquarium Bacteria

There is so much we don’t know about the bacteria we buy and add to our reef tanks. Salem Clemens answers some of your most Frequently Asked Questions on Reef Aquarium Bacteria. Is it possible to keep bacteria alive in…

What’s in Their Water: An Analysis of Core Chemical Parameters Among Vendors at a Coral Show

Last week, I went to Saint Louis (Remy’s stomping grounds) to make content and speak at the Reefing USA coral show. Before coming, Remy had the great idea of testing all the vendor’s systems at the show to analyze potential…

Ten of our Favorite #reefbuilders Tagged Corals on Instagram

We love it when you tag us on Instagram and there are currently over 365,000 #reefbuilders tagged posts on the photo and video-sharing app. Here are just 10 of the corals we’ve picked out and highlighted from our feed, and…

How to Cure Live Rock

Up until now, everything that has been necessary to do has been relatively easy. This next step in setting up a reef tank properly is what starts to separate those who will be successful long-term from those who will not.…

Why Water Testing is Important for a Reef Tank

Like equipment maintenance, water changes, quarantining animals, and cleaning the glass, water testing is an unglamorous task that nonetheless is one of the most crucial aspects for having long-term success in the hobby.  I don’t care how good your lights…

The Role of Nutrients in a Reef Tank

One aspect of this hobby that may help some to stay interested in it is that there is almost constant debate as to what is the best way to do anything in a reef tank. Whether it is halides versus…

Water Chemistry Part 1: Salinity and Temperature

There are a lot of sexy aspects of having a reef tank including planning and setting it up, aquascaping it, and then selecting the fish and corals to go in it. And you can also get excited about choosing the…

How do I know if my tank’s too clean?

Stand in your LFS and about one in ten reefers will say their tank is too clean. Compared to temperate and cold waters, the tropical waters that our corals inhabit are nutrient-poor, hence the symbiosis between photosynthetic corals and zooxanthellae,…

Reef Builders Top 10 new products of 2022

Over 80 new products rolled across the Reef Builders news desk this year, ranging from pumps, lights, and skimmers, to tanks, controllers, fish food, and dosers. A global shortage of microchips was still being felt throughout the first three quarters…

10 great gift ideas for reefkeepers 

Christmas is coming and nothing shows a reefkeeper you love them more than giving them a gift of something related to their hobby. Here are the Reef Builders’ top 10 reef gift recommendations: Smartphone Coral Lens A coral lens is…