| Water Quality -RO/DI | | | | This", and I would buy it. Now I have so many |
| The most important factor in any aquarium is | | | | bottles of different foods that are collecting dust. |
| water quality. Your tank lives and dies by the | | | | It all depends on what species and quantity of |
| quality of water you provide. Doing frequent | | | | corals you have. Often just water changes are |
| water changes (WC) will help you maintain a clean | | | | enough to replenish what your tank needs. |
| and healthy environment for your fish and/or | | | | Lighting |
| reef. Water changes should be done weekly or | | | | This is probably one of the most debated topics |
| bi-weekly, and should consist of 15-20% of your | | | | in the hobby. Again, the type of lighting you need |
| tanks volume, INCLUDING YOUR SUMP! | | | | is based on the type of corals that you decide to |
| When choosing the type of water to use for | | | | keep in your tank. Some aquarists say you need |
| your water changes make sure its RO (Reverse | | | | 4-5 watts of lighting per gallon of water in your |
| Osmosis) or DI(DeIonization) water. If you use | | | | tank Soft corals need less lighting, as the more |
| water out of your tap, make sure you check for | | | | stoney corals depend on more intense lighting. |
| phosphates and dangerous metals such as copper | | | | Coral placement in your tank is also very |
| as these can be harmful for your live stock. You | | | | important when it comes to lighting. Coral |
| can get RO water from your LFS (local fish | | | | bleaching can be caused by too much or too little |
| store) mixed or non-mixed, many grocery stores | | | | lighting. Actually, not enough lighting can cause |
| such as Wal-mart, Safeway, etc; or you can buy | | | | DEATH to some corals as well. Corals are |
| your own filter and create your own RO/DI | | | | photosynthetic, meaning they do need light to |
| water. | | | | grow, just some need less than others. |
| Water changes can not be stressed enough. | | | | Most soft corals such as mushrooms, kenya, |
| Keeping your water changes on a schedule is a | | | | leathers, and zoas are better off placed in the low |
| key component, as water changes replenish your | | | | to mid range of the tank. This usually provides |
| tanks Calcium and other trace minerals. Keep in | | | | them with enough light. |
| mind! A water change is like a breath of fresh air | | | | Water Movement |
| for your live stock. | | | | Water movement is simply something you have |
| Food | | | | to have. Flow in the aquarium helps keep your |
| There are so many types of foods and additives | | | | tank clean as well as providing the transportation |
| that you can get to supplement your tank, but | | | | of food to your corals and fish. The water |
| before you "buy" make sure you "need". Often | | | | movement also helps supply the aquarium with |
| new aquarists will buy just about anything they | | | | oxygen and helps in keeping your sand bed free |
| are told to get. I can't even count the times that | | | | of algae. |
| my LFS has told me these words, "You Need | | | | |