Essential Daily Care for Your Coral Reef Aquarium

 

Maintaining a thriving coral reef tank requires consistent attention to water quality, lighting, and biological balance. This guide outlines key daily practices to ensure the health of your corals and fish.

 

1. Water Quality Monitoring

  • Temperature: Keep stable at 24-26°C (75-78°F) using reliable heaters and chillers.
  • Salinity: Maintain specific gravity at 1.023-1.025 with a refractometer.
  • pH: Aim for 8.1-8.4; use Kalkwasser or dosing pumps if adjustments are needed.
  • Ammonia/Nitrite: Must read zero; test weekly with liquid test kits.

2. Lighting & Flow

  • LEDs: Provide 10-12 hours of light daily, mimicking natural reef cycles.
  • Water Flow: Ensure strong, turbulent flow to prevent detritus buildup and promote coral polyp extension.

3. Feeding & Supplementation

  • Corals: Target-feed LPS/SPS with planktonic foods 2-3 times weekly.
  • Fish: Offer varied diet (flakes, pellets, frozen) once daily, avoiding overfeeding.
  • Supplements: Dose calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium as per water test results.

4. Equipment Checks

  • Pumps/Heaters: Verify operation and inspect for leaks.
  • Protein Skimmer: Empty the collection cup if more than 1/3 full.

5. Visual Inspection

 

  • Look for signs of stress (e.g., coral bleaching, fish lethargy) and address issues promptly.

Consistency in these practices will foster a vibrant, self-sustaining reef ecosystem.