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Glossary of Aquarium Terms
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Marine Fish & Invertebrate Catalog
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Information on My Reef Aquarium
 
Reefkeeper's FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions)

Welcome to Sea and Sky's Frequently Asked Questions for Reefkeeper's. If you're thinking of a saltwater aquarium, this section will help familiarize you with some of the equipment and accessories available as well as the steps involved in setting up your first aquarium. It is highly recommended that you start with a fish-only aquarium. You can work your way up to a reef aquarium after you gain more experience. Most people stay with a fish-only system for at least two years before trying a reef. The most important thing to remember about this hobby is that you WILL make mistakes. The only difference between people who are successful and those that fail is that the successful ones do not give up. Stay with the hobby and most importantly, LEARN from your mistakes.


This is a composite document written by many folks. It contains information each participant felt was basic information required for anyone considering maintaining a reef tank. In reality, it's turned into a bit of a reference document. 

Some of the information has been taken from public forums like the Internet UseNet *.aquaria groups. Credit to the authors of such information is given next to their contribution.Note that starting with 1.12, new and/or changed items are marked with an "*" in the far left column.

*Release 1.2 - 8 Apr, 1997 (updated many sections)
Release 1.12 - 17 Aug, 1994 (more corrections and minor area expansions)
Release 1.11 - 18 Apr, 1994 (some corrections and minor area expansions)
Release 1.10 - 9 Sep, 1993 (Significant additions to test kit and protein skimming sections. Many spelling and grammar corrections, some style and format alterations.)
Release 1.02 - September 1st, 1993 (Reorganized, split into 3 pieces)
Release 1.01 - July 1st, 1993 (First Public Release)
Release 1.00 - May 12th, 1993
 

*Copyright 1993, 1994, ReefKeepers, All Rights Reserved

ReefKeepers, for purposes of the copyright, is the group of authors listed at the end of this document. Permission is granted for it to be copied (unmodified) in either electronic or hardcopy form by nonprofit organizations if it is copied in its entirety and used in stand-alone form. This document may not otherwise be published, posted, uploaded, replicated or copied by any method, electronic or physical, without the explicit permission of ALL of the listed contributors.

The authors of this document have kindly spent the time to bring you their opinions. They are not liable in any form or fashion, nor are their employers, for how you use this information. Their opinions should not be construed as fact; don't blame them if your tank has problems.

Table of Contents

1.0   Water (Filters/Additives/Test Kits)

1.1.1 Background
1.1.2 DI Filters
1.1.3 RO Filters
1.1.4 Further Comments About Water

1.4 Water Changes

2.0 Filtration and Equipment

2.3 Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)
2.4 Other Chemical Filter Media (X-Whatever)
2.5 Mechanical Filtration
2.6 Under Gravel Filters (UGF)
2.7 Reverse Flow UGFs (RUGF)
2.8 Trickle Filters
2.9 Algae Scrubbers (somewhat long)
2.10 Live Sand

3.0 Lights

4.0 Cost Estimates

5.0 Stock

6.0 General Catalogs

7.0 Questions and Answers

8.0 Book Review

9.0 Useful Tables

10.0 Credits

 

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