Top Saltwater Aquarium Myths

[reefphilippines]

Top Saltwater Aquarium Myths

Since the beginning of time, successfully keeping a saltwater aquarium has seemed a total mystery to a vast majority of people. Over the past few decades, the science of saltwater aquaria has increased by leaps and bounds. In spite of the new knowledge, many of the old myths which arose during the years of experimentation are still professed by some as facts. Here are some of the most popular myths which are still in circulation:

1. It takes at least 6 weeks to cycle a saltwater aquarium

MYTH:
It takes 6 weeks to cycle (establish the biological filter) a new saltwater aquarium.

FACT:
The original method used for cycling a tank consisted of putting a fish or two in a new tank, then waiting up to 6 weeks for the nitrobacter and nitrosoma bacteria to form and grow. It is now known that there are a number of methods which can cycle a tank in as little as one day.

Cycling with Live Rock
Cycling with Live Sand
Cycling with Bacterial Additives

2. Water changes are the only way to reduce nitrates in a saltwater aquarium
MYTH:
Water changes are the only way to reduce nitrates which are the end product of the nitrification process in a saltwater aquarium.

FACT:
There are a number of methods which can be used to reduce or even prevent nitrate build up without performing a water change.

Denitrator Units
Mangroves
Some types of Algae
Live Rock in conjunction with a Berlin Filtration System
Live Sand in conjunction with a Jaubert/Plenum System
Nitrate Absorbing Products

3. The ideal reef tank temperature is between 76° and 78° Fahrenheit.
MYTH:
The ideal reef tank temperature is between 76° and 78° Fahrenheit.

FACT:
The water temperatures of most of the reefs where your corals came from are a lot higher than 78° F. Read about it in: How High is Too High?

4. Tangs (Surgeonfish) are very sensitive to nitrates.

MYTH:
Tangs (Surgeonfish) are more sensitive to nitrates than other fish.

FACT:
Surgeonfish are no more sensitive to nitrates than any other species. Tangs have endured nitrate levels of hundreds of ppm for extended periods of time with no ill affects.

5. Massive water changes are harmful to saltwater fish and invertebrates.

MYTH:
Massive water changes to quickly reduce nitrates and other toxins are harmful to saltwater fish and invertebrates.

FACT:
While a rapid change in salinity, temperature or pH can be harmful to fish and invertebrates, a rapid reduction in nitrates does not adversely affect them.

6. Coral Banded Shrimp kill fish.

MYTH:
Coral Banded Shrimp kill fish.

FACT:
The Coral Banded Shrimp is a scavenger as well as a parasite picker, and may attack other shrimp, but will not normally attack fish. Many people who find their Coral Banded Shrimp consuming a dead fish or invertebrate assume that it was killed by the shrimp. However the shrimp is just doing what it does for a living: Scavenging.

7. All LFS people are knowledgeable and always give you good advice.

MYTH:
You can depend on the people in your LFS to be knowledgeable and to give you good advice.

FACT:
There are a great number of LFS owners/employees who are well experienced in saltwater aquariums and will give you good advice. However a majority of them (usually younger workers) have little or no knowledge or experience in this subject which requires time to learn.

8. Bio-Balls are nitrate factories.

MYTH: Bio-Balls or wet/dry filters create nitrates in a saltwater aquarium.

FACT: Bio-Balls and wet/dry filter material can trap detritus and other tank debris which break down and eventually create nitrates. If the Bio-Balls are cleaned regulary, they don't create any more nitrates than a substrate with the same materials in it.

Bio-Balls Don't Go Bad, They Just Get Dirty!


article from:
http://saltaquarium.about.com/library/b ... _myths.htm

[jomsmsn]

sticky please.

[darklianangels]

[tommy]

[aldrich]

[astig]

[charlesr1958]

This is the overall best article I have ever seen concerning reef temperatures.

http://www.ronshimek.com/Temperature%20Salinity.htm

By the way, for the last four years, I have taken ocean / reef temps at least once a week and can say without a doubt that the average here is 82 degrees.

For more myths, please see as well....enjoy!

Chuck

[geno5555]

greetings all. New to this site but not new to the hobby. Just moved from the USA to Bayugan where I reside with my Filipinio asawa.

Maintained dbs/live rock tanks for years in the USA but see it is going to be difficult here to get my hands on both equipment and such things as live rock,sand and fish.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Sorry I don't speak the language but am trying to learn, pretty hard for this 61 yo retired marine

Am interesting in at least a 180 gallon tank glass tank up to 250, rather have it longer than deeper as I find the need for less light equipment.

So if any of you all out there has any advice where I can find some live rock, live sand to start with I will certainly be greatful.

Good quality products are much more important to me than haggling over price, although i wouild like to be treated fairly, all americans contrary to rumor are not rich

Thanking you all in advance for any responses to my request.

Respectfully

Gene

[audioactive08]

[SantaMonica]

[markrocker]

One of the main fact is that it takes at least 6 weeks to cycle a saltwater aquarium, so we must take care regarding that fact and work accordingly.

[volaer]

Very informative dude. Thanks a lot...

[naturelover]

Beware of the saltwater for sale at marine quest. I tested their water many times and discovered that it has 20 ppm of nitrates.

[naturelover]

Beware of the saltwater for sale at marine quest. I tested their water many times and discovered that it has 20 ppm of nitrates.

[reefgeek]

Really? I am planning to buy saltwater there in Marine Quest tomorrow after it was offered to me last week by the sales lady . Now I'm at a lost . Any suggestions where I can buy natural sea water? Better if near my home in Las Pinas.