My Way
There are as many ways to maintain a reef aquarium as there are hobbyists – and that is how it’s supposed to be. The exact same operation performed in two reef tanks will never result in two exactly same result. Some “methods” try to ignore this fact and give dosing instructions for strange and magical products with precision of 0.1 ml which is, naturally, total bullshit.
However, it’s fun to compare your own way of reefkeeping with others so I thought I would describe My Way. And remember, My Way is in no Way better than Your Way.
(Updated 26.4.2009: Feeding and CaCO3 slurry method)
10 cm (4”) fine natural coral sand
Lots of high quality live rock. High quality means lot’s of small invertebrates and great diversity
Lots of water flow, directed in 3 dimensions meaning some pumps (Tunze Streams, naturally) are blowing from bottom to surface
A lot of corals but only a relatively few species and large colonies. The amount of corals have a direct effect on the well being of the whole ecosystem. At the same time, a good amount of open water
Heavy feeding using high quality powdered invertebrate foods. I use mainly foods from Fauna Marin (UltraMIN F, Ultra Seafan and UltraMIN D). These foods are by far the best I’ve tried (and I’ve tried many!). I also use my own mix of foods manufactured for the aquaculture operations to provide the smallest particles for fine filterers.
High quality flake foods for fishes (Omega One). Absolutely no frozen foods
Heavy skimming
Powerful mechanical filtration – this is something that is generally frowned on but I have found it to be excellent nutrient export mechanism and also a way to reduce sedimentation inside the tank which is killer for many sponges and other fine filterers. I use CaCO3 slurry to enhance the filtration (experimental, TBA). This method replaces both the activated carbon and PO4 removers.
I don’t concentrate on corals. Instead, I try to grow filter feeders which are much more difficult. If you can provide good conditions for many of these cryptic animals the corals will also thrive
Natural salinity and calcium level, elevated alkalinity and “zero” inorganic nutrients. It is not acceptable to have any measurable phosphate or nitrate
I dose silicate as it’s unnaturally low in most reef aquariums and yet it is absolute requirement for one of the bases of the whole coral reef ecosystem, diatoms. It won’t hurt sponges, either