SaltwaterReefCo, aquarium installation, maintenance, IL

  Leaving a Reef Unattended for a Week: A Safe Plan Going on vacation is stressful enough—without worrying that your reef will deteriorate while you’re away. Whether you run a home saltwater aquarium or a professional reef system, the biggest risks during a one-week absence are temperature swings, loss of filtration/flow, unstable salinity, and over- or under-feeding. Below is a reef-focused checklist designed to reduce “system shock” and keep key water-chemistry parameters within safe ranges. The goal isn&rsquo ... Read more »

  How to Relocate a Reef Aquarium Safely Moving a reef aquarium isn’t like transporting a freshwater tank. Corals, live rock, fish, and the beneficial bacteria that keep water chemistry stable all depend on temperature, oxygen, salinity, and low stress. With the right timeline and packing strategy, you can relocate your reef tank safely and minimize downtime. Start with a relocation plan—then build a timeline around it. Ideally, arrange your move so the display tank is out of stable conditions fo ... Read more »

  Algae in Reef Tanks: Causes and How to Fight It Algae is one of the most common challenges in reef keeping, and it’s rarely “random.” When it appears in a reef tank—whether as green film, brown diatoms, or more persistent nuisance growth—it often points to an underlying imbalance in nutrients, lighting, or system maintenance. While algae can be unsightly, it also provides clues. The key is to identify which type you’re dealing with and address the root cause, not just the visible patches. ... Read more »

  How to Size a Protein Skimmer for Your Tank Protein skimmers are a common solution for reducing dissolved organics in marine (and some brackish) aquariums. But “oversized” and “undersized” skimmers both underperform: an undersized unit struggles to keep up with waste, while an oversized unit can be difficult to tune and may pull out nutrients faster than intended. Proper sizing comes down to a few measurable characteristics and an honest assessment of your tank’s bioload. Start with your ta ... Read more »

  Calcium, Alkalinity, and Magnesium: Reef Chemistry Triangle Successful coral growth in saltwater tanks often comes down to a simple but unforgiving relationship: calcium (Ca), alkalinity (often measured as dKH or meq/L), and magnesium (Mg) work together to support stable reef chemistry. Because these parameters are linked through precipitation and ion balance, adjusting one without understanding the others can create knock-on problems. Why the three numbers are connected Corals build skeletons primarily from calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) ... Read more »

  SPS vs LPS Corals: Key Differences and How to Start Choosing between SPS (Small Polyp Stony) and LPS (Large Polyp Stony) corals can feel overwhelming, especially when most advice assumes you already have a mature, stable tank. The good news: once you know what each group needs—light, water quality, and flow—you can make a smarter, more realistic first pick. In broad terms, SPS corals grow as encrusting branches or plates and typically demand stronger light and very stable water conditions. LPS corals, with their larger fles ... Read more »

  How to Protect Your Aquarium During a Power Outage When the electricity goes out, your aquarium’s biggest risks are oxygen depletion, temperature swings, and loss of water movement and filtration. The good news: with a few prepared tools and quick actions, you can significantly extend how long your tank can run safely. Start with the first 5–15 minutes. Don’t wait to see what happens. If you have air stones and an emergency power source, begin aeration immediately to keep oxygen levels stable. Even i ... Read more »

  Cleanup Crews: Snails, Hermit Crabs, and What to Choose “Cleanup crew” is a catch-all phrase aquarium keepers use for invertebrates that help reduce leftovers—such as algae film, uneaten food, and detritus—so the rest of the system stays more stable. Two of the most commonly discussed options are snails and hermit crabs, but the best choice depends on your tank’s conditions and what you actually want to clean up. Snails tend to be straightforward: they graze on algae and biofilm, and many species tolerate a ra ... Read more »

  Reef Salt Mixes: How to Choose and Mix Correctly Reef aquariums depend on stable water chemistry, and the salt mix you use is a major factor in how reliably your tank reaches (and maintains) target parameters. Whether you’re starting a new system or doing routine water changes, the right salt and the right mixing process help prevent swings in salinity, alkalinity, and other dissolved ions. Below is a step-by-step approach to choosing reef salt mixes and mixing them correctly , with the most common pitfalls to ... Read more »

  How to Properly Acclimate New Fish and Corals Adding new fish or corals is one of the fastest ways to introduce stress—and sometimes disease—into an established aquarium. The goal of acclimation is simple: help animals adapt to differences in temperature, salinity, and water chemistry between the store system and your tank. Before you begin: set up for a smooth transfer Use clean, aquarium-only tools (no soap). Prepare a separate container or acclimation bucket for new arrivals, and verify key tank parameter ... Read more »

  5 Fish That Do Well in a Reef Tank A healthy reef tank depends not only on water quality and coral compatibility, but also on selecting fish that match the tank’s size, temperament, and feeding routine. While every aquarium is different, some species are consistently good choices for reef setups—especially for hobbyists building a mixed community. 1) Clownfish (Amphiprion spp.) Clownfish are reef favorites because they’re usually hardy, colorful, and generally peaceful toward tankmates. Many ... Read more »

  ICP Water Testing Explained: Why Your Reef Needs It Reef aquariums can look “stable” on the surface while still drifting in the background—especially when it comes to trace elements and contaminants that regular test kits don’t detect. That’s where ICP water testing comes in: it’s a high-sensitivity lab analysis designed to spot both shortages and excesses, giving hobbyists a clearer picture of what their water is actually carrying. What ICP testing measures Unlike hobby test kits that typi ... Read more »

  New Coral Arrivals in Our Showroom: This Month’s Picks Our showroom has just received a new set of coral arrivals, bringing fresh color and distinctive forms to this month’s collection. From polished display pieces to richly textured specimens, the latest additions are curated for collectors, designers, and anyone looking to add natural character to their space. Below are this month’s picks—each selected for its visual impact, quality, and variety. Availability can change quickly, so we recommend visiting soon if you hav ... Read more »

  Coral Farm Nursery Update: New Growth and Activities Coral Farm’s in-house nursery is in an active phase of growth and evaluation, as our team continues to expand the number of corals cared for under controlled conditions. The nursery environment allows tighter tracking of health, color, and survival rates—key factors as we plan upcoming planting and restoration work. Across the tanks, several coral fragments are showing consistent progress, including strong new tissue development and stable coloration. These signals help co ... Read more »

  5 Hardy Coral Species for Reef Beginners Choosing beginner-friendly coral can make or break your first reef experience. While every tank is different, some species are broadly known for higher tolerance to routine beginner mistakes—like minor swings in parameters, simpler feeding habits, and less demanding light or flow needs. Here are five hardy coral types reef newcomers often start with, along with practical notes on how to set them up for better odds. 1) Zoanthids (Zoas) Zoanthids are among the mo ... Read more »

  RO/DI Water: Why It’s the Foundation of a Healthy Aquarium Every successful aquarium starts with reliable water quality. While many tap supplies look clear, they can contain dissolved minerals, metals, chlorine/chloramine, and other impurities that slowly build up and interfere with biological stability. That’s where RO/DI water comes in: it’s widely used by hobbyists because it strips contaminants down to a very low level before you add salt (for marine tanks) or remineralize for specific freshwater needs. What RO/DI wate ... Read more »

  Alkalinity, Calcium & Magnesium: Reef “Big Three” Explained Reef keepers often hear about the “Big Three” parameters: alkalinity , calcium , and magnesium . Together, they support coral skeleton formation and help stabilize the chemistry of a saltwater aquarium. While exact target ranges vary by system and livestock, the underlying relationships remain the same. Think of alkalinity as the water’s supply of carbonate and bicarbonate—building blocks corals use to turn dissol ... Read more »

  Top 5 Mistakes Beginner Saltwater Aquarists Make Saltwater tanks are rewarding, but they’re also less forgiving than freshwater setups. Many beginners run into the same problems because they underestimate how quickly water chemistry, temperature, and biology affect reef and fish health. 1) Rushing the tank before it’s ready One of the most common mistakes is adding livestock too soon. After setting up equipment and filling the tank, beneficial bacteria still need time to establish a stable nitrogen cycle. When ... Read more »

  What to Do When an Aquarium Leaks or Filtration Fails Whether it’s a slow drip behind the tank or a sudden loss of filter flow, aquarium emergencies require calm, fast action. The goal is the same in both scenarios: keep fish and beneficial bacteria alive, maintain safe water conditions, and stop the problem from getting worse. 1) Act immediately to reduce risk to people and livestock First, address safety. Unplug electrical equipment near water only if it’s safe to do so, then prevent anyone from slipping. If the l ... Read more »

  Jellyfish Tanks 101: How They Differ From Reefs Jellyfish tanks look nothing like most reef aquariums. Instead of trying to replicate a coral ecosystem, they focus on keeping delicate gelatinous animals calm, suspended, and clean. That shift in goal drives nearly every design decision, from tank geometry to water circulation and feeding routines. Jellyfish are strong swimmers compared to many people’s assumptions, but they’re also highly sensitive to turbulence, surfaces they can tangle on, and sudden changes in water c ... Read more »

  Algae Blooms in Reef Tanks: Causes and Practical Solutions Algae blooms are a common frustration for reef keepers, especially in newer tanks or systems that recently changed. While algae can appear “overnight,” the underlying causes usually build gradually through imbalances in light, nutrients, and water chemistry. In practice, the fastest improvements come from narrowing down what’s driving growth. Different algae types (and different appearances) often point to different root problems—so careful observation is the f ... Read more »