| Just as nature above the sea level is as variable as | | | | all of the decorations one hundred percent organic. |
| the sun, from the deserts of Arizona to the snow | | | | Live rock is a vital element to any eco-system, yet |
| topped caps of the Swiss Alps, so can the world | | | | makes a lovely addition to a home saltwater |
| under the sea be a constant study in contrasts, with | | | | aquarium. The microorganisms which grow on the |
| no two reefs the same. This is good news for the | | | | rock (the rock is not really alive, obviously; it gets its |
| underwater enthusiast who is attempting to establish | | | | name from the fact that it is a natural habitat for |
| the perfect reef aquarium in their home; there is no | | | | many species of bacteria) will help to filter out the |
| established "formula" for the perfect tank. There's | | | | harmful waste products produced by the fish that will |
| plenty of room for creativity! | | | | accumulate in the water of a saltwater aquarium in |
| One thing that cannot be shirked upon is the size of | | | | spite of the filtering system-after all, how often does |
| a tank. It must be more than adequate to allow the | | | | Mother Nature need to clean her saltwater aquarium? |
| species of fish that are chosen to inhabit it plenty of | | | | She has created the perfect filtering system as long |
| room to exercise and grow. Just as a person cannot | | | | as man does not add any elements to throw off the |
| thrive in an enclosed environment, neither can a fish. | | | | balance. |
| A 75 gallon tank is a generous size for the home | | | | Live plants and coral are also essential elements to |
| marine biologist to establish their own eco-system | | | | the perfect reef aquarium. There are many different |
| and allows for space for several species of fish to | | | | types of plants which can be added to a reef |
| spread out (provided they are compatible species, of | | | | aquarium, and it is best to choose based on the |
| course. Putting two species together who are | | | | species of fish which will be inhabiting the tank. For |
| unsuited to tank life together is a recipe for disaster, | | | | successful transplantation of live aquarium plants it is |
| regardless of the size of the tank). | | | | essential that the sand or silt on the bottom of the |
| Courtesy of advances in the convenience of | | | | tank be deep enough to allow the roots of the plants |
| establishing a home aquarium it is now possible to | | | | to successfully take hold. These plants will also |
| purchase an aquarium that has been pre-drilled in | | | | require additional light and carbon dioxide to allow for |
| order to prevent overflow. This provides a cleaner | | | | proper photosynthesis. |
| look than the traditional "hang on the back" overflow | | | | There are many options for creating the perfect |
| system for the home professional who is attempting | | | | saltwater aquarium, many of them very costly; |
| to create the picture perfect reef aquarium. | | | | however, with the proper mix of imagination and |
| There are many options for decorating a reef | | | | frugality it is possible to create a reef aquarium that |
| aquarium, although it is generally much more | | | | is aesthetically, ecologically and financially friendly. |
| aesthetically pleasing and healthy to the fish to keep | | | | |