A reef ready fish tank refers to an aquarium that is designed and equipped to support a reef environment. Reef aquariums contain live corals, anemones, and other invertebrates along with fish and other marine life. Creating a thriving reef ecosystem in a home aquarium requires careful planning and setup. Reef ready tanks make this process easier by having features optimized for coral growth and health.
Background on Reef Aquariums
Reef aquariums are complex, delicate environments that aim to recreate the conditions of a coral reef. Natural coral reefs exist in warm, clear, shallow ocean waters with high water quality and abundant light. Replicating this environment in a small, enclosed glass box presents some challenges. The main components that need to be balanced are:
Water Quality
Corals are sensitive to water conditions. Reef tanks need stable water parameters including alkalinity, pH, calcium, magnesium and other mineral levels. Filtration and protein skimming remove waste while circulated water and live rock help process nutrients. Test kits allow monitoring of chemistry. Partial water changes help maintain quality over time.
Lighting
Corals contain symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae that provide food through photosynthesis. Bright lighting that emits light in the blue spectrum is needed about 8-12 hours per day. Metal halides, LEDs, and T5 fluorescents are common.
Water Flow
Constant water movement provides gas exchange, nutrients and waste removal. Powerheads create directional flow while pumps recirculate and turn over the entire tank volume several times per hour.
Stable Conditions
Fluctuations in temperature, pH, salinity or other factors can stress inhabitants. Heaters and chillers regulate temperature while monitoring equipment tracks conditions. An automatic top-off system replaces evaporated water.
What Makes a Tank Reef Ready?
While almost any aquarium can house corals with the right equipment added, reef ready tanks include features that make this easier right out of the box.
Size
A larger water volume helps dilute waste and keep conditions stable. Reef ready tanks tend to start at least 55 gallons. More water means less work maintaining quality.
Overflow System
An overflow box with drain pipe is plumbed into the back. This provides constant water turnover to the sump below where filtration equipment sits. The drain maintains a set water level in the display while the sump holds extra volume.
Drilled Bottom
Holes drilled into the bottom allow plumbing to run through the tank bottom. This keeps equipment out of the display area. Bulkheads provide a clean look and room for corals to grow.
Strong Lights
Quality lighting capable of keeping photosynthetic corals is included. This takes the guesswork out of selecting suitable lights.
Return Pump/Plumbing
Pumps rated for reef systems push water back up to the tank from the sump below. Complete plumbing accommodates installation.
Protein Skimmer
Protein skimmers efficiently remove organic waste before it breaks down polluting water. Quality models rated for the tank volume come pre-installed.
What Else is Needed for a Reef Tank?
While reef ready tanks simplify initial setup, there is still work required before adding corals or fish. Additional equipment includes:
– High quality salt mix and reverse osmosis filtration for clean water
– Additional powerheads for multi-directional flow
– Heater and chiller for temperature control
– Wavemaker for surge simulation
– Automatic top-off unit
– Calcium reactor if desired
– Aquarium controller to automate and monitor
– Salinity refractometer, pH probe, thermometer and other test kits
– Live rock and substrate
Maintenance procedures like weekly partial water changes, filter cleaning, glass algae removal, dosing supplements and calibration of equipment is also critical.
Benefits of a Reef Ready Tank
Purchasing a pre-configured reef ready aquarium has several advantages over a standard tank:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Convenience | Comes fully plumbed and ready for reef keeping equipment. |
| Quality Parts | Components are sized and selected specifically for reef systems. |
| Leak Protection | Bulkheads prevent water spills from overflow or plumbing leaks. |
| Professional Look | Built-in overflows and sumps allow for a streamlined appearance. |
| Space Savings | Equipment can be kept out of the main display area in the sump. |
| Expanded Volume | Sumps add extra water volume not counted in the tank size. |
Getting an aquarium designed for reef use takes much of the work out of initial setup and long term maintenance. The advanced features allow corals to thrive with less effort.
Choosing the Best Reef Ready Tank Size
Reef ready tanks come in a range of sizes from compact nano-reefs up to large custom installations. The size you choose depends on factors like:
– Space available – Will it fit in the room?
– Budget – Larger tanks get very expensive.
– Livestock goals – More water holds more corals and fish.
– Effort and experience – Larger tanks require more advanced maintenance.
The table below shows common reef ready tank sizes with approximate dimensions and capacity:
| Gallons | Dimensions (LxWxH) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 10-29 | 18”x10”x12” up to 24”x18”x16” | Nano tanks for a small reef. |
| 30-49 | 24”x18”x16” up to 36”x18”x20” | Medium tanks good for beginners. |
| 50-74 | 36”x18”x20” up to 48”x18”x20” | Standard size with room for corals to grow. |
| 75-100+ | 48”x24”x20” up to 72”x24”x24” | Large tanks capable of showpiece reef displays. |
55 to 75 gallons is a good target for newer reef keepers, balancing size with affordability and ease of maintenance. More advanced aquarists may want 100+ gallons for their dream reef setup.
Top Reef Ready Tank Brands
There are a few major manufacturers that specialize in reef ready aquariums. Some popular options include:
Red Sea Reefer
Red Sea’s reef-specific line comes in rimless glass tanks from 25 to 425 gallons. Red Sea skimmers, pumps and accessories are included in bundles. They offer advanced filtration and automated dosing capabilities.
Waterbox
Waterbox focuses on stylish rimless tanks in sizes ranging from 10 to 250 gallons. Their systems emphasize elegant simplicity with pre-installed accessories.
Innovative Marine NUVO
The NUVO series features sleek rimless nanos up to 40 gallons with sliding glass lids. The tanks include integrated filtration and protein skimming with expandable media baskets.
IM Lagoon / Prodigy
IM offers the Lagoon all-in-one reefs from 25-94 gallons featuring reef-specific filtration and protein skimming powered by DC pumps. The Prodigy line has rimless tanks from 13.5-425 gallons.
AquaMaxx
AquaMaxx makes long, low rimless tanks from 12 to 100+ gallons designed for reef and planted systems. Upgraded lighting, filtration and pumps are available.
Deep Blue Professional
Deep Blue has reasonably priced reef ready setups from 10 to 65 gallons. Low iron glass, integrated overflow and quiet skimmer are included.
Conclusion
Reef ready tanks make setting up a coral reef aquarium much more accessible. The pre-configured systems are designed specifically to meet the needs of sensitive corals and other reef inhabitants. An all-in-one reef tank simplifies initial equipment selection and installation. While they still require regular maintenance, reef ready packages let you spend more time enjoying the reef ecosystem and less time plumbing equipment. With a properly set up reef ready tank, even newer hobbyists can successfully keep a thriving underwater coral garden.
