Mud Bed Filtration

Mud bed filtration is similar to that of other sand based aquarium filtration systems, however the substrate is made of such a small grain size that it is like mud. A good filtration method to equate a mud bed to is the refugium.

In the refugium method macro algae is grown in the fine sand. The mud bed filtration system is effectively the same, however instead of sand mud is used. It is not just normal mud though, it is a mud which is full of various elements and minerals. These elements and minerals are slowly released from the mud into the water column. [Read more]

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Tags: filter-reef-tank, filter-salt-water, marine-aquarium-filter, reef-aquarium-filter, reef-tank-filtration

Let’s Keep A Notebook!

Eh! What on earth is this all about?

Well, it is relevant to the marine aquarist. Do you keep a fish only aquarium? Or is it a reef aquarium?

Do you keep soft corals? Or do you keep hard corals?

What lighting mix do you have? Or do you have one particular type?

What has all that got to do with keeping a notebook? [Read more]

Tags: Aquarium Maintenance, Care, saltwater-aquarium-care

What Is A Hydrometer?

Aquarists use all sorts of equipment to maintain the water quality of the saltwater aquarium, and very important water quality is! One piece of equipment every aquarist should have without exception is a hydrometer.

The word hydrometer conjures up a vision of a highly sophisticated, scientific and technical item. Well, it isn’t. There are hydrometer types that are suited to the vast majority of aquarists, and more advanced and very accurate types that would be suitable to the super keen, super dedicated and “nothing is too good” aquarist. We’ll look at the common hydrometers. [Read more]

Tags: Aquarium Maintenance, Care, saltwater-aquarium-care, saltwater-fish-tank-maintenance

The Plenum - A Viable Aquarium Filter

A plenum is similar in nature to that of a deep sand bed but the design and creation is somewhat different.

So I guess the question is - what is a plenum?

Well a plenum is a space which is located under the substrate which separates the substrate from the bottom of the aquarium. This space is full of both water and organic waste as the water is diffused into it. A plenum system is also sometimes referred to as the Jaubert system. It is often referred to as this because it was discovered by a man called Dr Jean Jaubert. [Read more]

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How Long Will My Aquarium Lights Last?

The aquarium is beautiful. That’s good, because a lot of effort, both research and money, has gone into it. Sitting back and viewing the result is a great pleasure.

The aquarist has realised that he/she has to do maintenance. If maintenance isn’t done, there’ll be changes in the aquarium - deterioration will set in. That would be a shame and there is no need for it. Just a few simple guide lines and all should be well. Testing the water for example. There is one other that sometimes is missed, and that is aquarium lighting. [Read more]

Tags: aquarium-light, aquarium-light-bulb, Care, marine-aquarium-lighting, saltwater-aquarium-lighting

The Damsel Fish - Good Aquarium Inhabitant Or Not

Quite often a damsel fish is one of the first fish which is introduced to the aquarium, however this might not be a good thing to do - the reason is that they are very territorial and quite aggressive.

I can understand the reasons as to why people introduce these fish first as they are quite hardy fish and can tolerate the conditions of the aquarium when it is first set up - as long as the aquarist is responsible. The trouble though is that once they settle in they can become quite troublesome.

[Read more]

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Should You Purchase Online?

Once the aquarist has finished setting up his/her salt water aquarium as far as equipment and getting salt water in, the next big question is livestock.

Most aquarists know what they want generally, be it a fish only or reef aquarium. Many of us have a local store that can be visited for livestock purchases. Before livestock is purchased, the store is assessed as to how good the aquarium conditions are, how knowledgeable the store man/woman is, and of course the prices being asked.

[Read more]

Tags: aquarium-coral, aquarium-fish, saltwater-fish, saltwater-livestock, tropical-marine-aquarium

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