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Stimulating growth of coral in a reef tank requires several steps.

admin    May 3, 2021   CATEGORY: Industry News and Tips

Stimulating Growth of Corals in a Reef Tank: A Few Tips that May Do the Trick

The beauty of having corals in a reef tank is being able to watch them work their magic. As corals change and grow, they gives your saltwater aquarium a different aura every month. To encourage this lively environment, it’s important to create a habitat that is not only healthy for fish, but also stimulates growth of corals in the reef tank.

Aquarium hobbyists have learned several tricks over time that can help turn a coral reef tank into an exotic, intriguing waterscape that enhances the atmosphere in a home or business. 

Benefits of Adding Corals in a Saltwater Aquarium

Adding corals in a saltwater reef aquarium serves several purposes.

It creates a more natural habitat similar to what you may find in oceans and seas. Creating a natural ecosystem is a goal of any experienced hobbyist, as it facilitates a healthier, happier atmosphere in the tank.

Adding corals in a reef tank also adds color, beauty, and intrigue in the aquarium. The movement of the corals is a sight to see, and it also helps move the water to keep it cleaner.

Most significantly, corals provide a place for fish to play and hide, which is especially important for timid fish or fish that may feel threatened. If you have saltwater fish that would have relied on corals in the wild, it’s wise to mimic that type of environment in your aquarium in order to make the fish more comfortable.

Stimulating Growth of Corals in the Reef Tank

Adding corals in the saltwater aquarium is only the first step. It’s also important to stimulate growth of the corals in the reef tank if you want to take the appearance of your aquarium to the next level.

Growing corals requires the right combination of light, food, nutrients, and water flow. Many hobbyists who grow coral-only tanks dedicate hours and build their own tools to create the optimal environment to help corals thrive.

Maintaining appropriate temperature and salinity is a key for virtually any type of saltwater fish tank. 

Specifically in this case, the pH level of the water is a key to stimulating growth of corals. 

Some hobbyists choose to create a higher pH in order to do so. An ideal pH level to stimulate coral growth is 8.2 or higher, according to some aquariasts. This tactic is ideal for coral-only tanks, however, as this level may be too high for fish. You may be able to later transfer the corals to a saltwater fish tank.

Use a pH probe or machine to monitor the water of the coral tank. The level of the pH will fluctuate throughout the day, especially because at night there is not as much light energy. Therefore, the pH level may be low first thing in the morning. After hours of natural and artificial light during the day, the level will likely be highest toward the early evening.

While some hobbyists maintain only one type of lighting, others believe that an adequate aquarium light intensity along with the use of a spectrum of light is a better way to stimulate growth of corals in the reef tank.

A saturated solution of calcium hydroxide and water can also be used to increase the pH level. Equipment and products are available on the market to help drip this solution into the tank steadily, safely, and accurately. 

And then, of course, are the basics: food and other nutrients. Corals need zooplankton, nitrates, and phosphates to grow and remain healthy. The levels of calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, and other basic elements must be monitored and maintained as well.

Contact us for more information about how to keep corals healthy and strong in your aquarium.

TAGS: Reef Tank Corals, Saltwater Aquarium, Stimulating Growth of Corals,

Options for lighting for planted aquariums include LED lights.

admin    March 24, 2021   CATEGORY: Industry News and Tips ,Uncategorized

How to Choose the Ideal Lighting for Planted Aquariums

When it comes to lighting for planted aquariums, it’s about much more than aesthetics, and it’s about more than the fish. It’s true the warm glow can add a certain sense of serenity in the aquarium, and lighting is necessary to maintain a healthy environment for the animals. 

But don’t overlook the effect that lights have on natural plant life in the tank. Lighting gives plants the nutrients they need to thrive, and that in turn creates a healthier habitat for the livestock.

Choosing the ideal lighting for planted aquariums can be a bit challenging, as it is one of the more technical aspects of aquarium ownership. It depends on the size and depth of your tank, the water clarity, and the nearby light fixtures in your home.

For fish-only tanks, the lighting is more about aesthetics, but the right type of lighting and light intensity is important for reef tanks and planted aquariums. In fact, plants might not even survive without adequate lighting needed for photosynthesis.

Following is a basic overview that may help you identify the best lights for your fish tank.

1. Beautifying the Aquarium with Colorful Lighting

The right color spectrum intensifies the hues in your fish and plants. Essentially, the colors bring out the beauty in your livestock. Common color hues used in lighting for planted aquariums include:

  • Neutral white
  • Cool white
  • Magenta, red, or pink
  • Soft blue or deep blue
  • Green

Many skilled hobbyists combine different colors and hues to achieve their preferred appearance.

2. The Ideal Strength

As you are trying to choose the ideal lighting for planted aquariums, you will likely come across words like “hues,” “Kelvin,” “wavelength,” “K rating,” and other technical terms. It is complex, which is why we are here to help design the most beautiful lighted aquarium for you.

But here are some of the basics about what all that means. Light intensity determines how bright a light is, and spectrum is about the mixture of colors (wavelengths) that a light produces. Light spectrum is given a Kelvin rating, sometimes called a “K rating.” For a yellowish, warm appearance, look for a low Kelvin rating. For a cool blue or white light, look for a high Kelvin rating.

3. Aquarium Lighting Styles

Common choices of lighting for aquariums include LED, fluorescent, compact fluorescent, and metal halide lights.

LED Lights

LED lights are popular today due to their affordability and longevity, as well as the ability to use bulbs of various colors. They also don’t produce as much heat as other types of lights, but the initial investment might be more expensive than other options.

Standard Fluorescent Lights

Standard fluorescent lights are more ideal for fish-only tanks. They don’t last as long and therefore may end up costing more in the long run.

Compact Fluorescent Lights

Offering a higher intensity, compact fluorescent lights are ideal for nano tanks and other small tanks. The downfall is that they do generate a moderate level of heat.

Metal Halide Lights

Metal halide lights are a common choice for reef aquariums, as they offer a range of color temperatures with high intensity. These lights are not ideal for energy efficiency, and they produce high heat.

Costs run the gamut as well. Depending on the style, size, and functionality, the cost of lights for aquariums range from $20 to a couple thousand dollars.If you are unsure which kind of lighting you should get for your freshwater aquarium or saltwater aquarium, contact us at Seatech. We can help you identify the color and strength of lighting for planted aquariums that is most suitable for your particular habitat.

TAGS: LED Lights for Aquariums, Lighting for Planted Aquariums, Planted Aquariums,