Why don’t more aquarists use a quarantine tank?

To this day it still amazes me how few aquarists actually use a quarantine tank within their home aquarium setup.

Instead of using a quarantine system they are more than happy to risk all the animals when introducing a new member into the aquarium.

I appreciate that there is only a small slight when purchasing new fish, corals etc however the risk is there and it is not something which should be taken lightly.

All responsible aquarists should follow some basic guidelines which it comes to purchasing new animals. Actually it probably goes back a bit further than that - the word I should have used is ‘researching’. [Read more]

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Tags: acclimitise, fish-disease, fish-stress, quarantine-tank

I needed a bigger tank.

Aquarists with a salt water aquarium usually (ignoring fish only systems) fill them with fascinating life forms of the reef. This can be soft corals, hard corals and a host of other potential inhabitants.

In the setting up stage great efforts are made to ensure that water quality and lighting are adequate, and the overall habitat is suitable for the inhabitants. The aquarium should then thrive, with the permission of nature and perhaps a little bit of luck. [Read more]

Tags: anemone, aquarium, marine-tank

Lights Out!

Running a salt water aquarium is educational, very satisfying, and mostly relaxing. Mostly relaxing is correct, there are those occasions when the word ‘relax’ doesn’t apply. For example, when a pump fails and the shops are shut, when a fish is lost etc. There is also another occasion that aquarists dread, and that is a power supply failure.

A power loss is potentially one of the most serious threats to the well being of the aquarium. Those aquarists amongst us who own very large and expensively stocked aquariums often invest in a UPS (basically a battery supply unit that has a high capacity and can keep certain pumps and heaters running for a fair time), or they may buy a small generator. Most of us, including me, have neither. There is an argument from a livestock concern point of view that says we should, but the investment cost laid against the possibility of a power outage usually stops the process.

These outages can happen though! [Read more]

Tags: aquarium-power, power-cut, power-outage

Fun or Frustration

During your life looking after a salt water aquarium have you ever done something that you didn’t regret, but which tended to test your patience and perhaps even question your own sanity? I have.

Salt water coral fish are for the most part very beautiful. The fish we keep tend to become favourites, or we see one in a magazine, on-line, or observe one in a shop which we fall in love with.

My most favourite coral fish of all is the copperband butterfly (Chelmon rostratus). Though not the brightest coloured coral fish by any means, to me it is very beautiful both in its shape and colouration. Its behaviour is also most appealing as it looks and pokes its snout into crevices and holes, searching for a tasty morsel. [Read more]

Tags: copperband, feeding-fish, fish-food

New Site…

As you will have seen the new site is active!

We have moved from a subdomain from the Salt Water Aquarium site to a brand new domain. With a bit of luck this will be easier to remember.

All of the post from the old site have been transferred over to this one, which is why you will see so many posted on the same day!

[Read more]

Tags: aquarium-website, marine-website, reef-website

We’re home!

Well I have to say that we all had an absolutely fantastic time - lazing on the beach, swimming in the pool, spending quality fun time with the family and lot’s more.

Our aquariums were all fine when we returned, the skimmers need emptying and a good clean as well as the glass which needed a scrub to remove the build up of algae. No losses to speak of and I am sure that the corals are larger now than when we went! [Read more]

Tags: saltwater-aquarium

Vacation Time!!!

It’s that time of year again. Time for a break, a bit of rest and relaxation and some quality time with the family.

Normally I go with my family but this year my parents are coming as well.

That does leave me with a slight dilemma though as when I am away my father normally looks after my aquarium and vice versa. This time though my brother has been given the task! [Read more]

Tags: saltwater-aquarium

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