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27 Jul 2014

The Nano Reef Revolution

Posted By : Guest

Filed Under : Aquatics | Aquael | Fish | Marine Aquariums

It's easy to see why nano reef aquariums are so popular. Who wouldn't you want a tiny portion of the ocean sitting on your desk? Especially when it costs a fraction of what larger reef systems cost. A nano reef delivers endless fascination, from the saunter of its careful invertebrates to the abrupt retreat of its bashful fish. Every alcove contains a hidden wonder. For seasoned hobbyists, a nano reef offers an exciting challenge with beautiful rewards for a home or office. If you're thinking about a nano reef, consider the following for nano reef success.

Miniature Reefs

In the most practical sense, all home reef aquariums are miniature reefs when compared to expansive natural reefs. However, the term "nano reef" generally refers to a miniature reef system that is typically 50 litres or less, housing corals, invertebrates, and perhaps a few fish. That's a lot of complexity in a small space.

What thrives on a nano reef?

Specimens characteristic of a nano reef include Polyp Corals and Soft Corals like Cabbage Leather, Thin Finger Leather, and Tree Corals. Mushroom Corals are also appropriate, such as green-striped, lavender, and bull's-eye. If you choose to have fish in your nano reef aquarium, small fish species such as gobies, firefish, and blennies are suitable in the nano environment.

Nano system specimens must be chosen carefully to avoid overcrowding. Small fish, with maximum adult size of only a few inches, are the best choices. They must be introduced slowly, only a few fish at a time over a period of several weeks. With Soft Corals and Polyp Corals, select species that tend to grow slowly. Fast-growing species will take over your limited aquarium space and may even overtake less hardy species.

Looks easy, but is it?

The modest size of a nano reef aquarium gives an impression of effortless maintenance. In reality, the challenges of a marine reef setup in such a confined space make a nano reef a delicate undertaking, best-suited for an experienced or dedicated hobbyist. The reason is simple. These small aquariums are more susceptible to changes in water quality and temperature because they contain a smaller volume of water. When water-quality issues or temperature fluctuations occur, they can progress quickly to place great stress on the system and can ultimately result in failure.

How Do I Get Started?

In an enclosed ecosystem like the nano reef, everything is amplified - the amazement, the wonder, and also the management. Observe daily, test often, and always remedy the problems you discover within the same day.