LEDs are all the rage, so you may be wondering why I am doing a review of a metal halide fixture, especially one that has been around for a number of years. Well, here is the story…and I am sticking to it.…
ReefBum
My goal is to help hobbyists create the reef tank of their dreams. That’s it. And to do that I focus on three main areas: Cultivation, Education and Inspiration. My blog, online course, and book are the educational tools I use to share knowledge I have accumulated over the years, providing a roadmap for success.
Recent Content
Using a Booster Pump to Improve RODI Performance
A RODI system is an important piece of equipment for maintaining a healthy reef tank. It purifies water and limits problematic algae growth by removing things like silicates, phosphates and nitrates.…
Review: My Reef Creations Nilsen (Kalk) Reactor
Over the years, a kalk reactor has always been an integral part of my reef keeping setup. I have used one to dose kalkwasser via my RODI top off to boost pH, which is lowered by my calcium reactor, and to augment my tank’s calcium and alkalinity levels. …
Top 10 Tips For Keeping a SPS Reef Tank
Let’s face it. Keeping a reef tank is not a simple chore but there are some basic tenants one can follow to optimize the chances for success. With over 20 years in the hobby I have learned a lot from both my successes and failures.…
The Trials & Tribulations of a Young Reef Tank
Starting and maintaining a successful reef tank is not an easy task, even for veterans of the hobby. There are many curveballs out there capable of bringing a reef keeper to their knees that can cause them to “cry uncle”, especially during the early part of a tank’s life.…
SPS Deep Dive – Stylophora Coral
Who likes to gaze at a reef tank containing SPS with bright and vivid colors? I do. Of course there are some best practices one can follow to achieve great colors but SPS coral selection plays a key role.…
Reef Tank Tip – Resist The Urge to Submerge
There are a number of best practices for reefkeeping and one of the bigger ones in my book is to try and minimize the amount of time I put my hands in the tank. I consider myself a perfectionist and when I started to keep reefs I was always looking at my tanks and tinkering with the rocks or corals to achieve a “better” look.…
Bayer Dip: Preventing Red Bugs and AEFW
Keeping a healthy and thriving reef tank is dependent on a lot of variables, including the prevention of pests – just like in our natural oceans, parasites do make their way into our living room reefs.…
Dealing With Red Bugs and AEFW
When I first started keeping reef tanks a long time ago there seemed to be much less awareness of certain pests that can infiltrate and harm a reef tank. “Back in the day” wild colonies were all the rage and reef keepers were not as diligent about checking for pests.…
An SPS Recipe for Success
By Keith Berkelhamer Too bad keeping a thriving SPS tank isn’t as simple as making scrambled eggs. According to a recipe I came across, “perfect” scrambled eggs for two require 6 large eggs, 6 teaspoons low-fat milk, 3 dashes of salt, and 1 tablespoon butter for...