Could Purple Non-Sulfur Bacteria Change Reefing?

The future of the reef aquarium industry is microbial. Microbes hold many of the nuanced secrets behind the long-term health and reproduction of corals, reef fish, and invertebrates. All of these creatures are a sum of their associated microbiomes and…

FAQs on Phytoplankton Part 2

Phycologist Taras V Pleskun answers more of your most frequently asked questions on Phytoplankton. Is the algae I scrape off the front glass phytoplankton? Yes and No! Though this is more an exercise in wording, there is a profound difference…

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.…

Levi’s Caribbean Biotope Aquarium

I’ve always personally wanted to set up an aquarium endemic to a certain area of the ocean. I recently moved across the country to Florida, and with the move, I happened to have an empty 75-gallon aquarium. I figured if…

The History and Evolution of Live Rock

When Georg Smit and Alf Nilsen introduced live rock to American hobbyists in the 1980’s the keeping of saltwater animals changed forever. Up until this time, undergravel filters were the main means for biological filtration and most tanks were decorated…

How to Select a Reef Salt

When someone finds out that I keep saltwater aquariums they often ask where I get the saltwater from. Obviously, since I do not live by the ocean it is not from there, so they are surprised when I tell them…

emoceans aquarium is the reef tank we most want to emulate right now

If you are looking for an inspirational aquarium that is reflective of the times, look no further than the emoceans display tank. A spectacle of both inspiration and aspiration, images and video just jump out at you from your screen…

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…

Top 10 Algae Eaters For Reef Tanks

Algae is one of the worst menaces of any aquarium, and a top reason people leave the hobby. Here are just 10 fish and invertebrates that can help to make our tanks more algae-free. 1. Algae blenny The humble Algae…

The Reef Builders’ Big ICP Test Review, by Sanjay Joshi

Initially introduced to the hobby market by Triton, ICP tests have been around for several years now and have become a staple in the hobby. The allure of these tests has been the relatively cheap ability to get a reading of…