SPS or Small Polyp Stony corals can be demanding to keep and it is wise for new reef keepers to start off with soft and/or Large Polyp Stony (LPS) corals. The move up to SPS can be made once sustained success is achieved with softies and LPS.…
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
Why Constant Alkalinity Monitoring is Important
How important is it to have stable alkalinity for a reef tank? It’s VERY important. In fact, on my list of Top 10 Tips For Keeping a SPS Reef Tank, I have stable parameters, especially alkalinity, at #1.…
How to Optimize Chaeto Growth
Keeping Chaeto in an algae reactor such as a Pax Bellum ARIDÂ is a great way to control nutrients and increase water clarity in a reef tank. It also balances pH by taking up excess CO2 and increases dissolved oxygen.…
Sand Bed or Bare Bottom?
There are a number of healthy debates in the hobby and one of the more popular ones is whether to go with a live sand bed or bare bottom in a reef tank. Folks in the bare bottom camp like the fact that they can easily siphon off detritus (dead organic matter such as fragments of dead organisms or fish waste) collecting on the bottom of the tank, making it easier to export excess nutrients such as ammonia, nitrates and phosphates.…
Best Camera For a Reef Tank?
Is there a clear choice out there for us reef keepers when it comes to finding the best camera for a reef tank? Recently, I did some extensive research while in the market for a new camera and I believe the camera I settled on, a Sony A7 iii, is ideal for aquarium hobbyists, especially for video.…
Dosing Nitrates to Eliminate Cyano?
What? Dosing nitrates to get rid of cyano? A common piece of advice when battling Cyanobacteria or cyano is to lower nutrients since cyano can be fueled by high phosphates or nitrates (cyano can also pop up due to elevated organics).…
A Complete Guide to Live Streaming on Facebook & YouTube
I have a 187 gallon reef aquarium and every now and then I like to share it in real time using either Facebook Live or YouTube. The first time I tried this I used my smartphone and it fell way short in representing the true colors and vibrancy of the tank.…
Why You Should Seriously Consider Using a Surge Suppressor
Well, I learned the hard way. Last week the controller for my Royal Exclsuiv Red Dragon 3 Speedy 80W pump did not turn back on after I completed a water change. What happened? The likely culprit was a power surge, knocking out the controller. …
Who Hates Frag Plugs?
Me. Yes, frag plugs serve a great purpose when shipping or displaying frags for potential customers but they look like crap when placed in a display tank. I know, over time a healthy frag will encrust and cover that plug but who wants to stare at that eyesore for months on end.…
Going Skimmerless – A Failed Experiment
Well, I gave it the old college try. For two months I ran my 187 gallon reef tank without a skimmer. Why did I do this? The primary reason was a nine month battle I was having with cyanobacteria. Cyano prefers higher C02 and my skimmer sits in a sump in the same room as my furnace, a potential source of C02.…