This is a composite document written by many folks. It contains information each participant felt was basic information required for anyone considering maintaining a reef tank. In reality, it's turned into a bit of a reference document.
Some of the information has been taken from public forums like the Internet UseNet *.aquaria groups. Credit to the authors of such information is given next to their contribution.
Note that starting with 1.12, new and/or changed items are marked with an "*" in the far left column.
*Release 1.2 - 8 Apr, 1997 (updated many sections)
Release 1.12 - 17 Aug, 1994 (more corrections and minor area expansions)
Release 1.11 - 18 Apr, 1994 (some corrections and minor area expansions)
Release 1.10 - 9 Sep, 1993 (Significant additions to test kit and protein skimming sections. Many spelling and grammar corrections, some style and format alterations.)
Release 1.02 - September 1st, 1993 (Reorganized, split into 3 pieces)
Release 1.01 - July 1st, 1993 (First Public Release)
Release 1.00 - May 12th, 1993*Copyright 1993, 1994, ReefKeepers, All Rights Reserved
ReefKeepers, for purposes of the copyright, is the group of authors listed at the end of this document. Permission is granted for it to be copied (unmodified) in either electronic or hardcopy form by nonprofit organizations if it is copied in its entirety and used in stand-alone form. This document may not otherwise be published, posted, uploaded, replicated or copied by any method, electronic or physical, without the explicit permission of ALL of the listed contributors.
The authors of this document have kindly spent the time to bring you their opinions. They are not liable in any form or fashion, nor are their employers, for how you use this information. Their opinions should not be construed as fact; don't blame them if your tank has problems.
1.0 Water
2.0 Filtration and Equipment
3.0 Lights
4.0 Cost Estimates
5.0 Stock
6.0 General Catalogs
7.0 Questions and Answers
8.0 Book Review
9.0 Useful Tables
10.0 Credits
11.0 Plumbing FAQ
1.0 Water (Filters/Additives/Test Kits)
2.0 Filtration and Equipment1.1.1 Background
1.1.2 DI Filters
1.1.3 RO Filters
1.1.4 Further Comments About Water1.2 Additives
1.3 Testable Parameters1.3.1 Alkalinity
1.3.2 Calcium
1.3.3 pH
1.3.4 Nitrate (NO3)
1.3.5 Phosphate (PO4)
1.3.6 Specific Gravity
2.1 Live Rock
2.2 Protein Skimmers2.2.1 Counter Current Air Driven Protein Skimmers
2.2.2 Venturi Protein Skimmers
*2.2.3 Down-draft Skimmers
2.2.4 Protein Skimmer Considerations2.3 Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)
2.4 Other Chemical Filter Media (X-Whatever)
2.5 Mechanical Filtration
2.6 Under Gravel Filters (UGF)
2.7 Reverse Flow UGFs (RUGF)
2.8 Trickle Filters
2.9 Algae Scrubbers (somewhat long)
2.10 Live Sand
Back to Table of Contents
3.0 Lights
3.1 General Discussion
3.2 Detail Discussion
3.3 Lighting Data
Back to Table of Contents
4.0 Cost Estimates
4.1 Setup Estimates
4.2 Micro Reef - 20 Gallon
4.3 Mini Reef - 70 Gallon
4.4 Ongoing Costs
Back to Table of Contents
5.0 Stock
5.1 Common to Scientific Name Cross Reference
5.2 Coral Aggression Chart
5.3 Corals [Cnidaria (Anthozoa)]
5.4 Shelled Things
5.5 Algae
5.6 Possible Problems
5.7 Hermit Crabs
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Back to Table of Contents
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11.0 Plumbing FAQ
Back to Table of Contents11.1 Sumps
11.1.1 Advantages
11.1.2 Downsides
11.1.3 Sump Setup11.1.3.1 "What should I use for the sump?"
11.1.3.2 "Why would I want to drill my sump?"
11.1.3.3 "What is a Bulkhead?"
11.1.3.4 "How do I return water from the sump to the tank?"
11.1.3.5 "How big should my sump be?"
11.1.3.6 "How do I get water from the tank to the sump?"
11.1.3.7 "How do I drill my tank?"
11.1.3.8 "I can't or don't want to get my tank drilled! What can I do?"
11.2 Working with PVC
11.2.1 PVC parts
11.2.2 Shopping tips
11.2.3 Parts
11.2.4 Plumbing tips
11.2.5 Misc11.3 Water Flow
11.4 Topics to be Added