Daily Care

Even though people think that keeping a reef tank is a difficult challenge, the big secret is that it is actually very easy.  The most important way to care for a reef tank is to observe it every day.  If you pay attention to your tank and understand its needs, you will notice potential problems as they start to develop.  Addressing these issues as soon as you see them will prevent big headaches down the line.  Understanding how the variables such as waterflow, light, position, salinity and temperature effect the reef inhabitants is crucial.  A slight correction can make a sad looking coral thrive.

The only additive I put in the tank is Kalkwasser (Calcium Hydroxide).  I mix a bit with fresh R/O water and use it to replace the water that evaporates from the tank.  This helps maintain high calcium and alkalinity.  Since it has a very high pH, I fabricated a "high tech" system to slowly drip the solution into my tank every morning.

A good cleanup crew is essential for eating algae and detritus and keeping the sand bed groomed.  I have Astrea, Certh and Nerite snails and 2 small blue legged hermit crabs.  I have only scraped the front glass once and I added a few more snails when they were needed.

This Certh snail likes to hang out under the sand.

I am most excited about Super Glue Gel.  It does a great job under water and has quickly secured several small frags exactly where I want them.  I also use underwater epoxy to secure larger pieces.

These particular polyps were opening after my first experience with Super Glue Gel.  Unfortunately, the rock got overturned when I was on vacation and the polyps did not make it.

To get rid of Aiptasia anemones people highly recommend Aiptasia-X.  Before I purchased an entire bottle for one Aiptasia, I tried a trick I found online.  I got an insulin syringe and filled it with a mixture of Kalkwasser and water.  After a quick injection I have not seen another Aiptasia in the tank.

I did my first 1 gallon water change after 29 days and I plan to do one every week or so.  I do not sift the sand when I do a water change, but when I add the new water to the tank, I try to blow accumulated detritus off the rocks.  The corals love the micro-nutrients after a water change and are always fully open and spectacular then next day.

-JFW