grand reef1
02/20/2009, 06:56 PM
:confused:I'm saving up for a saltwater reef aquarium and I need to know how to take care of coral and what fish and inverts will go best witha 46 gallon saltwater aquarium.
Please include such things like
:confused: how to attatch coral
how to space coral in the tank
and what coral is best suted for a beginner
and any more info you want to give
SlukBunWalla
02/20/2009, 07:45 PM
This site is FULL of information, including the answers to those questions. Creating such a vague post isn't likely to get you very good answers.
Start by reading through some of the posts that talk about what you're looking to learn.
Read through the RK Mag (button near the top of the screen) and find articles on the topics.
Reed a couple of books on the reefkeeping. I'm always a fan of books with "for Dummies" in the title hehe...but there are many good books on the topic of reefkeeping available that will knock out a majority of the questions you have right away. After that this forum is good place to post more specific questions on things you don't understand.
And finding a good quality local fish store and asking questions can give you lots of good info, but also some bad info. So take all advice with a grain of salt...and research, research, research everything you do and add to the tank. You'll be glad you did.
I know I didn't really answer your questions, sorry for the cop out...but here's some ideas on more efficient ways to gather info. It worked for me! Good luck!
chrismunn
02/20/2009, 08:00 PM
i think the most important thing for you to do is to read a good book or two. there are tons of answers in just about every thread written here, but most of it wont makes any sense untill you understand the basics, which are in the books.
you can get basic answers to all the questions you've asked, but it wont help all that much because the answers will be brief, and only lead to more questions. most any book you can find today will start out by giving you a good explanation of how a reef tank works.
after that alot of the stuff you read here will make alot more sense. good luck and happy reefing! :)
chrismunn
02/20/2009, 08:03 PM
sorry, i didnt even notice!
[welcome]
you attach corals with epoxy or super glue.
you space them far enough apart that they have plenty of room to grow out into mature colonies later on. you also want to make sure that you dont put two corals that will "fight" next to each other. some corals do better higher up, and with more light. others do better in less light, and closer to the bottom.
shroom and zoas!
xJake
02/20/2009, 08:15 PM
I don't mean to overwhelm you, but here is my "huge list of links" I just sent someone who is working with me on the reef systems in the marine lab... (NOTE: The original was in email form, so the format is a bit screwy)
I would suggest starting with this thread on ReefCentral.com and then move on from there:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1031074
Here's a list websites that have an amazing amount of information:
<http://www.reefkeeping.com>
<http://www.advancedaquarist.com>
<http://www.melevsreef.com>
http://www.melevsreef.com/links.html
http://www.reefcorner.com/reef%20keeping_101.htm
Reefkeeping 101:
Water<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-10/newbie/index.php>
Chemistry: Part 1<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-11/newbie/index.php>
Chemistry: Part 2<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-12/newbie/index.php>
Completing the Initial Set-up<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-02/newbie/index.php>
Sumps<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-01/newbie/index.php>
What is a Sump?<http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html>
Lighting<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-12/newbie/index.php>
Tank Selection and Placement<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-11/newbie/index.php>
Plumbing 101<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/jg/index.php>
Chemistry:
Water:
Reverse Osmosis/ Deionization<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-05/rhf/index.php>
What Is Seawater?<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-11/rhf/index.php>
Water Parameters<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php>
Salinity<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/index.php>
Measuring Salinity<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/index.php>
Salinity Calibration<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/rhf/index.php>
The Nutrient Cycle:
Organic Compounds<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-10/rhf/index.php>
Ammonia<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-02/rhf/index.php>
Nitrite<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rhf/index.php>
Phosphate<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php>
The Nutrient Dynamics of Coral Reefs: Part I, Biogeochemical Cycles<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-08/cj/index.php>
The Nutrient Dynamics of Coral Reefs: Part II, The Oceanic System<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-10/cj/index.php>
The Nutrient Dynamics of Coral Reefs: Part III, Land and Sea<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-11/cj/index.php>
The Nutrient Dynamics of Coral Reefs: Part IV, The Sky Above<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/cj/index.php>
Reef Chemistry Basics:
Part 1: The Saltwater Itself<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/rhf/index.php>
Part 2: Chemical Supplements<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php>
Part 3: pH<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php>
Part 4: Chemical Accumulation<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/rhf/index.php>
Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium, and pH:
A Simplified Guide<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php>
Calcium and Alkalinity<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-04/rhf/feature/index.php>
Balancing Calcium and Alkalinity<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/rhf/index.php>
Calcium and Alkalinity Supplements<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php>
Magnesium Supplements<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/rhf/index.php>
High pH: Causes and Cures<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/rhf/index.php>
Low pH: Causes and Cures<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.php>
Kalkwasser (Limewater), Precipitation, and Water Changes:
Kalkwasser (What Your Grandmother Never Told You About Lime)<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rhf/index.php>
Degradation of Limewater<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-05/rhf/feature/index.php>
Precipitation<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rhf/index.php>
Water Changes in Reef Aquaria<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/rhf/index.php>
How to Change Water in Your Reef Aquarium<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-11/nftt/index.php>
Algae:
Macroalgae: Part 1<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-01/sl/index.php>
Macroalgae: Part 2<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-04/sl/index.php>
Algae ID Slideshow<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/reefslides/index.php>
Caulerpa Sporulation (Sexual Reproduction)<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/nftt/index.php>
'Bubble' Algae<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/hcj/feature/index.php>: Valonia spp.
Green Hair Algae<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-07/nftt/index.php>
Halimeda spp.<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-04/nftt/index.php>
Feeding:
The Food of Reefs, Part 1: Introduction<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-07/eb/index.php>
The Food of Reefs, Part 2: The Food of Corals<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-08/eb/index.php>
The Food of Reefs, Part 3: Phytoplankton<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-10/eb/index.php>
The Food of Reefs, Part 4: Zooplankton<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-12/eb/index.php>
The Food of Reefs, Part 5: Bacteria<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-01/eb/index.php>
The Food of Reefs, Part 6: Particulate Organic Matter<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-03/eb/index.php>
The Food of Reefs, Part 7: Dissolved Nutrients<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-04/eb/index.php>
Coral Feeding<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/atj/index.php>
Corals:
Biology, Taxonomy, and Identification:
Taxonomy, Part 1<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-04/eb/index.php>
Taxonomy, Part 2<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/eb/index.php>
Taxonomy, Part 3 - Everything Else - Soft Corals, Zoanthids, and Corallimorpharians<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-06/eb/index.php>
Renaming Our Corals<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-03/cj/index.php>
Coral Fluorescence<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-11/ac/index.php>
Coral Fusion and Grafting<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/nftt/index.php>
Reproduction and Propagation:
Reproduction in Aquarium Corals, Part 1<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-05/eb/index.php>
Reproduction in Aquarium Corals, Part 2<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-06/eb/index.php>
Securing Propagated Corals: Methods of Fixing Live Coral to Hard Substrates<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-10/ac/feature/index.php>
Coral Spawning in Puerto Rico<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-11/ja/index.php>
Coral Fragmentation: Not Just for Beginners<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-06/ac/feature/index.php>
"Frag" of the Month - Fragmenting a Green Tree Coral<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/fotm/index.php>
"Frag" of the Month - Gorgonian Propagation Techniques<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-10/fotm/index.php>
"Frag" of the Month - Propagating Acanthastrea<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/fotm/index.php>
"Frag" of the Month - Propagating Euphyllia sp. (Frogspawn)<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-11/fotm/index.php>
"Frag" of the Month - Propagating Fungia sp. (Plate coral)<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/fotm/index.php>
"Frag" of the Month - Propagating Fungia sp. (Plate coral)<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/fotm/index.php>
"Frag" of the Month - Propagating Sinularia sp. and Lobophytum crassum<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-10/fotm/index.php>
"Frag" of the Month - Propagation of Anchor and Brain Corals<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/gh/index.php>
"Frag" of the Month - Propagation of Colt and Organ Pipe Corals<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-02/gh/index.php>
"Frag" of the Month - Propagation of Xenia sp.<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/fotm/index.php>
Unusual Stony Coral Propagation Techniques - Part I<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/ac_sp/feature/index.php>
Transport and Acclimation:
The Collection, Holding, Shipping and Transport of Coral Reef Organisms, Part 1: Shipping and Transport<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-11/eb/index.php>
The Collection, Holding, Shipping and Transport of Coral Reef Organisms, Part 2: Collection Issues<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-12/eb/index.php>
Coral Photoacclimation<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-01/atj/index.php>
Debunking Myths:
Mything the Point: Part One<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-11/eb/index.php>
Mything the Point: Part Two<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-12/eb/index.php>
Mything the Point, Part Three: Conclusion<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-01/eb/index.php>
Diseases, Pests, Research, and Restoration:
The Coral Health and Disease Consortium<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-03/eb/index.php>
Coral Disease at the Flower Gardens and Stetson Bank: A Report<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-07/eb/index.php>
Bacterial Infections<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/eb/feature/index.php>
Coral Culture for Disease Research and Reef Restoration<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-08/eb/index.php>
Coral Culture in Suspension<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/ac/feature/index.php>
Coral Donor Program<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-09/feature/index.php>
Faunal Extinctions and Coral Reefs, What Can Hobbyists Do?<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rs/feature/index.php>
Is It Time to Sell Your SUV? A Tale of Coral Reef Decline<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/eb/index.php>
Reef Fish:
Fish Profiles<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/subject/fish.php>
Diseases and Treatment:
Garlic: What has been Studied Versus What has been Claimed<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/sp/index.php>
Marine Head & Lateral Line Erosion: A Description of the Syndrome and a Review of its Speculated Causes<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/sp/index.php>
Marine Ich/Cryptocaryon irritans: A Discussion of this Parasite and the Treatment Options Available, Part I<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-08/sp/index.php>
Marine Ich/Cryptocaryon irritans: A Discussion of this Parasite and the Treatment Options Available, Part II<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-10/sp/feature/index.php>
Marine Velvet/Amyloodinium ocellatum: A Discussion of this Disease and its Available Treatment Options<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-07/sp/feature/index.php>
Mycobacterium marinum: The Fish Disease You Could Catch<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-07/sp/feature/index.php>
Quarantining Your Fish<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/atj/feature/index.php>
Equipment and Mechanical Filtration:
Checklist - Part 1: Tanks and Stands<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-03/dw/index.php>
Protein Skimmers (Foam Fractionation):
Skimming Basics: Understanding Your Skimmer<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-06/fm/feature/index.php>
What is Skimming?<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-08/rhf/index.php>
Calcium Reactors:
A Guide to Using Calcium Reactors<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/sh/feature/index.php>
How to Set-up A Calcium Reactor<http://www.melevsreef.com/calcium_reactor.html>
Water Movement:
An Overview of the Powerhead Choices Available to the Reef Hobbyist<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-09/nftt/index.php>
Aquarium Water Pumps: Operation, Selection and Installation, Part 1<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-04/rn/index.php>
Aquarium Water Pumps: Operation, Selection and Installation, Part 2<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/rn/feature/index.php>
Aquarium Water Pumps: Operation, Selection and Installation, Part 3<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-06/rn/feature/index.php>
Cooling:
Beat the Heat: Aquarium Cooling Methods<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-06/nftt/index.php>
Sumps:
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sumps, Part 1<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-01/gt/index.php>
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sumps, Part 2<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-04/gt/index.php>
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sumps, Part 3<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-07/gt/index.php>
Natural Filtration:
Natural Filtration, Part 1 <http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-04/newbie/index.php>
Natural Filtration, Part 2 <http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-05/newbie/index.php>
Natural Filtration, Part 3 <http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-06/newbie/index.php>
Filtration Basics<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-06/dw/index.php>
How Sand Beds REALLY Work<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-06/rs/feature/index.php>
Live Rock As A Biological Filter: Hit or Myth?<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rs/feature/index.php>
Applications of Sand in Reef Aquariums: Theory and Practice <http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-02/eb/index.php>
Lighting:
What is Light?<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/sj/index.php>
Lighting the Reef Tank<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-08/dw/index.php>
Everything You Need to Know About Metal Halide Lamps and Ballasts<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/sj/index.php>
Making Sense of Light Measures<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-04/sj/index.php>
Metal Halide Lighting Components<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-06/jg/index.php>
Photons<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-03/sj/index.php>
Testing 250-watt Single-ended Metal Halide Lamps and Ballasts<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/jb/index.php>
The Properties of Light<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-03/atj/index.php>
Thoughts on Reef Aquarium Lighting...<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-08/ac/feature/index.php>
Underwater Lighting Conditions<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-09/atj/feature/index.php>
Do-It-Yourself:
A Simple DIY Kalk Dripper<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/nftt/index.php>
An Automatic Feeder<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-10/nftt/index.php>
Aquarium Electrical Systems<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-03/jg/index.php>
DIY Culture Station<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-07/ds/index.php>
DIY Sulfur (Denitrifier) Reactor<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2009-01/diy/index.php>
Do-it-Yourself Frozen Food<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-01/diy/index.php>
References:
Units of Measure<http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-08/rhf/index.php>
Reef Chemistry Calculator<http://reef.diesyst.com/flashcalc/flashcalc.html>
Calcium Reactor Setup Calculator<http://home.comcast.net/%7Ejdieck1/reactor.html>
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