Improving Carbon Dioxide and pH Management

During the early years of the hobby, some of the factors that were most intently looked at were calcium levels, pH, and salinity. Over time these have kind of faded from being thought of as critical and have been replaced…

What you need to know about Refugia

A reef tank is different from other types of tanks in a lot of ways, with one of the biggest being that most reef tanks utilize a sump to hold the equipment and to add volume to the system. An…

What you need to know about Sumps and Overflows    

For any of you that are coming from the world of freshwater tanks and have only had experience with a “standard” tank, that is one with all of the equipment either inside of the tank or hanging on the back,…

Eco-Wheel Reef Tank Filter has been running for 21 Years! 

In this social media-filled world, it’s rare to find a hobbyist who isn’t posting photos and videos of their aquariums online. Well, I found one. During a recent trip to Indianapolis, I was able to catch up with an aquarium…

14 things you didn’t know about UV sterilizers

With so many anecdotes and half-truths about what UV can and can’t do for our aquariums, we got in touch with a guy who designs and builds commercial UV sterilizers for a living. Michael Barrett is Head of Technical Development…

Reef Zlements are now distributed by D-D The Aquarium Solution

The Reef Zlements brand of aquarium supplements is now being distributed in the UK and Europe by D-D The Aquarium Solution. Launched in 2020, Reef Zlements quickly became established for its two-part dosing method, inexpensive elements, and ICP tests, and…

Biological filter media is back – here’s how to use it

The reintroduction of biological filter media has been one of the most significant changes in reefkeeping in the last 10 years. For decades, the Berlin Method taught us to ditch “traditional” aquarium filtration methods and instead rely on the microbial…

Our choice of tanks supplied with lids – Reef Builders Gear Guide 

Our way of reefing overwhelmingly favors open-topped tanks. They are easier to light, keep cool, and maintain, but due to jumping fish, evaporation, and rising heating bills there will always be a demand for saltwater aquariums with closed hoods. Here…

Modern Reefing is 50% Shiny Object Syndrome

Do you get distracted by new fads and reefkeeping fashions, always wanting to try out the next new thing in pursuit of a better tank? You may have Shiny Object Syndrome! Shiny object syndrome (SOS) is a situation where people…

Five Reefing Trends that we don’t do anymore

You need to have a good sense of humor in this hobby when you’re told for decades to get rid of nitrate, only to be told now to dose it! Here are some natural filters, fashions, and nutrient control methods…