Marine Reef Aquarium
Which to Choose – a Small or Large Aquarium
Most aquarists are dictated to by circumstance. There is a really big aquarium, at a really good price, but one rather definite problem, and that is there’s nowhere to put it. So a smaller aquarium is chosen, but not by choice. However, even in the described circumstances, a smaller aquarium could be the one of choice.
Most aquarists dream big, visualizing that final aquarium that will bring the ultimate reef. In most cases, it never materializes. Some are lucky of course. There are some beautiful big reefs about.
There are also some beautiful small reefs about, but the beauty is not ‘in the face’. It is in the detail.
There is one aquarium type where, I would imagine, bigger is usually best. That is the fish only aquarium. When an aquarium system is considered, between reef and fish only, if say angels and butterfly fish are to be kept, then fish only is the choice. Some angel and butterfly fish are said to be reef friendly, but many are not. The aquarist with a big fish only aquarium will have a lot of choice of fish, with all the colour and interest that goes with them. If the aquarium was smaller, then fish loading would have to be reduced. This does not mean to say that a fish only small aquarium is a waste of time, it is not. In this case, though, the choice of fish is limited, in size and territoriality. For example, it would be wrong to house a surgeon fish in a nano aquarium.
Small aquariums such as the nano should house fish of appropriate size. Perhaps the common clownfish (Amphiprion oscellaris) would be suitable, or other small fish such as the Neon goby (Elacatinus oceanops) and similar. In the larger nano aquarium, fish such as dwarf angels (Centropyge sp) could be suitable. Stocking levels have to be a disciplined affair with the very small nano aquariums, and not excessive with the larger ones. The fish only aquarium of whatever size has the advantage that, although water quality is important, there is no great need to worry about calcium and the like, the need being to keep nitrates and phosphates as low as possible. So if the desire is to have a good number of exotic fish which may not be reef friendly, a larger aquarium will do. If the idea is to have one or two small fish then a nano will be fine. Both types will need suitable decoration for the fish to feel secure.
If the aquarist yearns for a Reef Tank, and wants to emulate as close as possible the corals of the reef in quantity then a larger aquarium is going to be required. The fish stocks have to be controlled as reef unfriendly fish are not required, and too many fish will tend to depress the water quality despite modern equipment. The aquascaping of the reef is fun, and the aquarist will, with care and attention, achieve a beautiful reef. The reef will never properly emulate nature’s own, of course. There is a lack of size, a lack of diversity, and reef unfriendly fish are missing.
Then there is the aquarist who is very interested in detail. They do not want a big reef, but a very small section of a reef so the detail of the development of the life on a rock or two can be watched in particular. Or perhaps the antics of two small fish are the attraction. Here the nano will be suitable, as a ’live’ rock or two of suitable size will be all that is required. Then the aquarist can stock a coral or two, plus perhaps a suitable shrimp, or go for a fish or two. It is most probable that the aquarists who deliberately choose a nano tank when there is room for something larger are few.
Again as said, most aquarist’s vision is of the big one. The nano aquarium also brings the fascinating marine world more within the reach of the aquarist with a restricted financial ability.
There are aquarists who run a larger reef aquarium and also run a fish only one as well. This is probably the best of both worlds. Then there are the aquarists, usually advanced, who run a larger aquarium of whatever type and also run a nano aquarium, sometimes two, so that particular aspects of marine life can be studied.
So what are the advantages of a nano aquarium? The term nano is applied to an aquarium up to 50 gallons. The nano can start at a size of 10 gallons or slightly less. So it becomes pretty obvious that the set up costs are minimized. In the fish only nano, there is the cost of the fish, of course, and the seawater mix, and any sand base that might be used, and the heating/lighting. Plus any ordinary rock which is required. If ‘live’ rock and one or two small corals are incorporated then the cost will rise but not significantly. So the demand on the wallet is not going to be high. Running costs are low. Water changes will not amount to many gallons and are effective, if done weekly, to maintain water quality. If there is a calcium etc requirement then commercial additives should last a long time. There should be no requirement for expensive add-on equipment. If desired nano aquariums can be purchased ready for use at reasonable prices in designs that fit into the modern house well. There are potential problems though. If the aquarist overstocks then water quality is going to suffer. The small seawater gallonage is subject to negative change, maybe caused by the aquarist (overfeeding, overdosing), or caused by external influences (overheating). So the nano aquarist has to be extra vigilant on water parameters.
What of aquariums that are over 50 gallons in capacity? The bigger they get, the more money is going to be needed. The cost of a fairly large aquarium, when furnished with ’live’ rock, sand bed, protein skimmer, corals and fish can run into thousands. Not cheap. Likewise the fish only system. The large amount of seawater required, any ’live’ rock used, a protein skimmer, sand bed etc plus all the fish again is a significant cost. Larger aquariums can also be purchased ready for use. The cost of these is very high. Against that, the larger aquariums are more naturally stable. The aquarist needs to make a major blunder to badly overdose the aquarium. Feeding likewise, though the larger numbers of fish in a fish only aquarium plus overfeeding could spell trouble. External influences can cause problems with overheating, the larger aquarium does not escape this. Halide lighting and warmer weather will cause a temperature rise. However, the temperature rise will occur more slowly because of the higher volume of water. Generally, as the aquarium is larger it is usually easier, more practical, and financially more acceptable to take action to control temperature rise with fans or, if really necessary, a cooler (chiller). By this it is meant that fixing cooling apparatus to a larger aquarium is easier than doing so with a very small nano aquarium, and the high cost of a seawater cooler is more acceptable on a very expensive aquarium. It can be done with a nano, of course, and for the sake of the life in the aquarium stable parameters are needed.
So, it’s ‘horses for courses’ as they say. We each have our own ideas and we know our financial capabilities. Whatever the choice, marine life is fascinating.
About the Author
Peter Cunningham and John Cunningham between them have been keeping saltwater aquariums for over 35 years. Check out their Aquarists Online website if you are interested in learn more about the saltwater aquarium hobby.
Marine Reef Aquarium
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THE MARINE REEF AQUARIUM – PHILIP HUNT (HARDCOVER) NEW $24.89 |
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T5 Quad 72″ Timer Aquarium Light Coral Reef Marine Cichlid LED HO Odyssea 320W $179.00 |
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T5 Quad 72″ Timer Aquarium Light Coral Reef Marine Cichlid LED HO Odyssea 320W $179.00 |
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T5 Quad 60″ 5 ft Aquarium Light Marine Reef Cichlid 320W 80W Bulb LED Odyssea $139.95 |
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T5 Quad 72″ Timer Aquarium Light Coral Reef Marine Cichlid LED 320W HO USED $149.00 |
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Aquarium Light 48″ 260 Watt PL Aqua Lighting Reef Marine Fish Tank Salt Water $114.95 |
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2 370 GPH Submersible Aquarium Pond Water Pump Powerhead Freshwater Marine Reef $35.90 |
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24″ 380W Metal Halide PL Lighting Aquarium Light Hood Reef Marine Coral LED $179.95 |
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Coral Sea Ocean Marine Reef Aquarium 50 y/o Card $4.83 |
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Coral Sea Ocean Marine Reef Aquarium 50 y/o Card $4.83 |
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Coral Sea Ocean Marine Reef Aquarium 50 y/o Card $4.83 |
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FRESHWATER MARINE AQUARIUM 2010 CORAL African Cichlid Reef Tank PHOTOGRAPHY Fish $5.49 |
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60″ 5 ft T5 Aquarium Light Coral Reef 8 Lamps 80W HO Bulb 640W Used R58 Marine $169.95 |
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Aquarium Light 48″ 260 Watt PL Aqua Lighting Reef Marine Fish Tank Salt Water $114.95 |
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CORAL Reef & Marine Aquarium Magazine Jul/Aug 2011 Quasimodo Clown Fish Thailand $9.89 |
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TRUE NATURAL Salinity Refractometer 4 Reef Aquarium, Marine Seawater, Hydrometer $39.99 |
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TRUE Marine Natural Seawater Salinity Refractometer 4 Reef Aquarium, Hydrometer $39.99 |
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ORP Redox Meter Tester Pen – Marine Reef Aquarium Test $59.99 |
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Barron`s Publishing Marine Reef Aquarium Handbook (Rev $10.66 |
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MH ADV 48″ Metal Halide T5 Aquarium Light Hood 716W Coral Reef Marine LED 2x 250 $289.00 |
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T5 Quad 60″ 5 ft Aquarium Light Marine Reef Cichlid 320W 80W Bulb LED Odyssea $139.95 |
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Aquarium Light 48″ 260 Watt PL Aqua Lighting Reef Marine Fish Tank Salt Water $114.95 |
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1 GALLON DECO NANO REEF MARINE FISH TANK AQUARIUM KIT W/ FLOURESCENT LIGHTING 53 $49.95 |
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2 GALLON DECO NANO REEF MARINE FISH TANK AQUARIUM KIT W/ FLOURESCENT LIGHTING 66 $66.95 |
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1 PCS Free shipping New Dimmable 120w led aquarium light for marine coral reef $167.50 |
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2 X 320GPH Submersible Powerhead Aquarium Water Pump Pond Marine Reef Freshwater $29.95 |
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Aquarium Light 48″ 260 Watt PL Aqua Lighting Reef Marine Fish Tank Salt Water $114.95 |
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CFS 500 GPH Aquarium Canister Filter External 60 – 100g Freshwater Marine Reef $64.95 |
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T5 Quad 48″ 4 ft Aquarium Light Marine Reef Cichlid 216W 54W 4 Lamps LED Odyssea $93.00 |
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36” AQUARIUM LIGHT T5 HO 8X 39 WATT REEF MOONLIGHTS LUNAR MARINE HIGH OUTPUT $299.99 |
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Kent Marine Essential Elements 16oz Aquarium Coral Reef Additive $10.99 |
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Marine Reef Aquarium Handbook – Goldstein Robert J $9.09 |
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T5 Quad 36″ Timer Aquarium Light Strip Marine Reef Coral Cichlid 156W LED Fan HO $105.95 |
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Aquarium Light 48″ 260 Watt PL Aqua Lighting Reef Marine Fish Tank Salt Water $114.95 |
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API – Reef Master Test Kit Marine Aquarium $26.99 |
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2 370 GPH Submersible Aquarium Pond Water Pump Powerhead Freshwater Marine Reef $35.90 |
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Marine Reef Aquarium Handbook By Robert J. Goldstein $9.95 |
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24″ 65W Actinic PL Aquarium Light Fish Tank Marine Reef Freshwater Plant Hood $44.95 |
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Aquarium Light 48″ 260 Watt PL Aqua Lighting Reef Marine Fish Tank Salt Water $114.95 |
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Refugium Protein Skimmer Aquarium Marine Coral Reef 50G Pump 15″ HOB New $84.95 |
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MH ADV 30″ Metal Halide T5 Light Aquarium Light Reef Marine Coral 346W LED USED $159.95 |
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Protein Skimmer Filter w/ Pump Aquarium Marine Coral Reef HOB Sump 60G $45.95 |
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MH ADV 36″ Metal Halide Aquarium Marine Coral Reef 2x 250W MH Bulb T5 LED Lunar $269.95 |
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T5 Quad 24″ Aquarium Light Strip Marine Coral Reef Cichlid LED 96W 4x 24W Bulbs $74.95 |
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24″ 380W Metal Halide PL Lighting Aquarium Light Hood Reef Marine Coral LED $179.95 |
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API Reef Master Test Kit ~ for saltwater marine aquariums & fish tanks $32.51 |
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Aquarium LED Light Bulb Reef White Marine, 27w, 9×3w $101.92 |
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Protein Skimmer Filter Aquarium Marine Coral Reef 75G w/ Powerhead Pump PS 75 $39.25 |
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FRESHWATER MARINE AQUARIUM 2008 Fish ELEPHANTNOSES Reef $5.49 |
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Instant Ocean Aquarium Hydrometer Marine Reef Salinity $11.99 |
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48” Metal Halide 2x 250 Aquarium Light 500 watt Reef MARINE LAMP LIGHTING $199.99 |
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Protein Skimmer Filter Aquarium Marine Coral Reef 75G w/ Powerhead Pump PS 75 $39.25 |
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Aquarium Decoration 8.5″ Shipwreck Ornament @ Reef or Fresh or Marine Fish Tank $23.99 |
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Wave Maker Powerhead Aquarium Pump Reef 800 GPH 3000L/H Circulation Marine Tank $16.95 |
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150 LB CRYSTAL REEF PURE WHITE ARAGONITE AQUARIUM LIVE REEF SAND -MARINE & CORAL $119.99 |
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30 LB CRYSTAL REEF PURE WHITE ARAGONITE AQUARIUM LIVE REEF SAND -MARINE & CORAL $25.99 |
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90 LB CRYSTAL REEF PURE WHITE ARAGONITE AQUARIUM LIVE REEF SAND -MARINE & CORAL $68.99 |
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2 X 320GPH Submersible Powerhead Aquarium Water Pump Pond Marine Reef Freshwater $29.95 |
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48 108W 2×54 Fluorescent T5 HO Aquarium Light Strip Hood Marine Reef Plant 6700K $59.95 |
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Kent Marine ChromaPlex Reef Marine Aquariums 8 fl oz $4.99 |
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Just Like Kent Marine Reef Carbon ~ aquarium & fish tank filter media 2 LBS $16.00 |
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60″ 5 ft T5 Aquarium Light HO Coral Reef 8 Lamps 80W Bulb 640W Used R58 Marine $169.95 |
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60″ 5 ft T5 Aquarium Light Hood Coral Reef 6 Lamps 80W Bulb 480W Used R56 Marine $159.95 |
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LED Clip 1W Aquarium Light Nano Pico Marine Reef Cichlid 11″ 9x 1 Watt Clamp On $37.95 |
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aquarium Led lights led light grow reef marine fish tank new 2012 $289.00 |
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aquarium Led lights led light grow reef marine fish tank new 2012 $381.00 |
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aquarium Led lights led light grow reef marine fish tank new 2012 $489.00 |
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aquarium Led lights led light grow reef marine fish tank new 2012 $622.00 |
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aquarium Led lights led light grow reef marine fish tank new 2012 $849.00 |
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aquarium Led lights led light grow reef marine fish tank new 2012 $1,019.00 |
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2 370 GPH Submersible Aquarium Pond Water Pump Powerhead Freshwater Marine Reef $35.90 |
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2 370 GPH Submersible Aquarium Pond Water Pump Powerhead Freshwater Marine Reef $35.90 |
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LED 36″ 2600 Aquarium Light Marine Bright Reef Cichlid 42x 1 Watt Lunar 90 cm $109.95 |
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ADVANCED REEF KEEPING-Albert J. Thiel/marine aquarium $11.88 |
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The Marine Reef Aquarium by Philip Hunt NEW $30.49 |
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48 108W 2×54 Fluorescent T5 HO Aquarium Light Strip Hood Marine Reef Plant 6700K $59.95 |
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60″ 5 ft T5 Aquarium Light Hood Coral Reef 8 Lamps 80W Bulb 640W Used R58 Marine $169.95 |
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60″ 5 ft T5 Aquarium Light Hood HO Coral Reef 6 Lamps 80W 480W Used R56 Marine $159.00 |
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T5 Quad 48″ Timer 4ft Aquarium Light Hood Marine Reef Coral Cichlid 216W LED Fan $119.95 |
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Aquarium Wave Maker Pump 5000L/H Marine coral reef $12.00 |
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T5 Quad 48″ Timer 4ft Aquarium Light Hood Marine Reef Coral Cichlid 216W LED Fan $119.95 |
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ROTIFERS +Copepods 1Lt Feed Marine Reef Aquarium Corals Seed Refugium Sump Rock $19.95 |
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Wave Maker Powerhead Aquarium Pump Reef 800 GPH 3000L/H Circulation Marine Tank $16.95 |
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36” AQUARIUM LIGHT T5 HO 4X 39 WATT REEF LUNAR MOONLIGHTS MOON LIGHTING MARINE $189.99 |
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Calcium SOL Restore Reef/Marine Aquarium Calcium 8 oz $3.95 |
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Calcium SOL Restore Reef/Marine Aquarium Calcium 16 oz $6.95 |
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2 X 320GPH Submersible Powerhead Aquarium Water Pump Pond Marine Reef Freshwater $29.95 |
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48 108W 2×54 Fluorescent T5 HO Aquarium Light Strip Hood Marine Reef Plant 6700K $59.95 |
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Seachem Reef Plus 250ml Aquarium Saltwater Marine Reef Trace Elements $11.94 |
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Instant Ocean Hydrometer Full Range US Seller Marine Reef Coral Aquarium New $9.99 |
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Mini Aquarium Wave Maker Pump For Nano Coral Reef Marine Tank 110-120V 2000L/Hr $16.99 |
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Aquarium Wave Waver Maker Pump For Nano Coral Reef Marine Tank 110-120V 4000L/Hr $23.99 |
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2X Mini Aquarium Wave Maker Pump For Nano Coral Reef Marine Tank 110-120V 3W $23.99 |
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LED Clamp 3W Aquarium Light Nano Bright Marine Coral Reef Cichlid 6x 3 Watts $43.95 |
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LED Clamp 3W Aquarium Light Nano Bright Marine Coral Reef Cichlid 6x 3 Watts $43.95 |
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Protein Skimmer Filter Aquarium Marine Coral Reef 75G w/ Powerhead Pump PS 75 $39.25 |
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2 370 GPH Submersible Aquarium Pond Water Pump Powerhead Freshwater Marine Reef $35.90 |
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Wave Maker Powerhead Aquarium Pump Reef 800 GPH 3000L/H Circulation Marine Tank $16.95 |
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Marine Reef Aquarium Handbook by Robert J. Goldstein (1997, Paperback) $9.95 |
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Metal Halide Aquarium 175W watt 14000K Mogul E39 MH 14K Reef Marine Bulb $22.50 |
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Aquasafe Aquarium II – 7 Stage RO/DI Water Filtration System (100 GPD) $149.99 Many reef aquarium keepers use reverse osmosis systems for their fresh water aquariums or for their artificial mixture of seawater. Ordinary tap water can often contain excessive chlorine, chloramines, copper, nitrogen, phosphates, silicates, or many other chemicals detrimental to the sensitive organisms in a reef environment. Contaminants such as nitrogen compounds and phosphates can lead to exce… |
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Harlequin shrimp – feeding on a sea star (Fromia sp.). Aquarium shot Photo Mugs AUS-547 Harlequin shrimp – feeding on a sea star (Fromia sp.). Aquarium shot. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Queensland, Australia Hymenocera picta Dr David Wachenfeld / Auscape / ardea Auscape Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in anyway. contact details prints ardea tel and 44 (0) 20 8672 2067 …. |
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Mandarinfish, one of the most highly prized species for home aquariums Photo Mugs AUS-548 Mandarinfish, one of the most highly prized species for home aquariums. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Queensland, Australia Synchiropus splendidus Dr David Wachenfeld / Auscape / ardea Auscape Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in anyway. contact details prints ardea tel and 44 (0) 20 8672 2067 …. |
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Aquarium Widescreen DVD – Coral Reef, Saltwater and Freshwater Fish Tank Virtual Experience $14.95 Studio: Music Video Dist Release Date: 04/22/2008… |
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Dive to the Coral Reefs: A New England Aquarium Book [Reading Rainbow: Elementary Level] $39.95 This feature book describes the formation of coral reefs and the many plants and animals that live in and around these underwater communities. LeVar is inspired by the book to learn more about the world of coral reefs, so he dons diving gear and gives viewers a tour of the National Marine Sanctuary, an underwater park in Florida. Viewers also meet a “reef doctor” who shows how he restores life to … |
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The New Video Aquarium [VHS] $12.33 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
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Coral Reef Aquarium:Vol. 3 Creatures [VHS] $24.95 … |
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Brightest MR11 12 Volt AC DC 10 5050 SMD LED Bulb Wide Angle 160 Lumen 2.1 Watt, white, 1113WH $8.00 This is our brightest MR 11 bulb. It has 10 high-powered led bulbs, which produce about a 3 watt Luxeon bulb. The light pattern is perfect for illuminating displays or even just adding accent lighting yet it is still bright enough to be used anywhere. LED bulbs are compatible with all types of magnetic transformers but not all electronic transformers. Many electronic transformers require a minimum… |
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Aqueon Kent Marine 00884 Phos Reactor $49.99 Kent Marine Phos-Reactor Multi-Purpose FilterThe Kent Marine Phos-Reactor Multi-Purpose Filter is primarily intended to be used with phosphate-removal medi such as Kent Power-Phos and Phosphate Sponge, however, it may be used with numerous filtration media to best suit the changing needs of the aquarium. Depending on the choice of media, the Phos-Reactor may be used as a fluidized-bed filter, expo… |
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Brightest MR11 12V 10 SMD LED Bulb Wide Angle This is our brightest MR 11 bulb. It has 10 high-powered led bulbs, which produce about a 3 watt Luxeon bulb. The light pattern is perfect for illuminating displays or even just adding accent lighting yet it is still bright enough to be used anywhere. LED bulbs are compatible with all types of magnetic transformers but not all electronic transformers. Many electronic transformers require a minimum… |