You have probably heard it said many times that bio balls are "nitrate factories" or that someone's bio balls have "gone bad". Bio balls are a great nitrifying bacteria platform but, like any other filter media, they can produce nitrates, if not maintained. Curing the problem is simple, costs nothing and takes only a few minutes.

Forums: Removing bio balls I would like to remove the bio balls from my sump since I have over ...

Wet/dry trickle filters have been a popular choice in biological filtration for a very long time in the saltwater aquarium hobby. However, as the technology in aquarium keeping has advanced and the desire to attain a "natural" reef system becomes ever popular, controversy surrounds this choice. ...

Forums: Emperor 280 - Bio-Wheel? I have a 36 gallon saltwater tank with 30 pounds of live rock and a emperor 280 fliter with a bio-wheel. Many people are telling me not to use the ...

Thinking about starting a Micro, Mini, or Nano reef tank? Flash view the Top 10 1-15 Gallon Reef Tank Photos displayed on About Saltwater Aquariums to see what other aquarists have accomplished in very small tanks.

Forums: Chuck's Reef Tour Take a few minutes to view Chuck's underwater photos of "Chuck's Reef" off Mactan Island in the Philippines. It is amazing what he has done with a ZipLock bag and a digital camera.
Photo By Luiz Brunner

Berlin filters have been used for years in reef tank systems. This filtration system is most popular with reef tank purists, but its simplicity and low cost makes it a winner for beginners and experts alike.

Forums: Will LR die if it gets too cold? I had the LR shipped to me and it got quite cold during shipping. Could it be dead?

To help you get started with your new tank, here is a checklist of parts, components and supplies that are needed for a basic saltwater aquarium set up, as well as other equipment and items that are considered optional when getting started.

More: How To Plan a Saltwater System Set Up

Forums: Aquascaping? Was just wondering if anyone has any ideas about aquascaping live rock?. I have seen a lot of tanks that look like ...

Your tank has cycled (maybe for years) and you start seeing spiking ammonia in your tests. You check your nitrites and find that the reading is above zero. Puzzling, isn't it? You might have a case of New Tank Syndrome. It's easy to prevent, but a little tougher to cure.

Forums: How Soon/ How Much? I recently set up a 29 gallon tank. I currently have 30 lbs of live rock, live sand, a Behn's Damsel, a Four-striped Damsel and a cleaner shrimp. How soon should you make new additions...

This Free Email course makes setting up an aquarium easy. You won't have to waste time surfing the net for information. All the links you will need for information are supplied in the lessons. Some of the topics we cover: choosing a tank, system, and substrate; DIY aquariums; fish diseases and treatments, and tank maintenance. Dive right in, have fun, and start learning today. You'll have your new aquarium set up in no time at all!

Now that your new saltwater aquarium has reached the end of the nitrogen cycling process and completed its task of establishing the beginning of your tank's biological filter base, what do you do next? If you are not careful, you could find yourself back on square one.

More: What is New Tank Syndrome? This anomaly can occur whether you have a new tank or a well established one. Find out what causes New Tank Syndrome and how to avoid it.

Forums: Tank cycled? I placed 45# fiji live rock on an egg crate suspended above a new bare bottom FOWLR tank ...

If you are considering adding a protein skimmer to your tank, you will find this article by Don Carner well worth reading. Not sure which style skimmer to buy? Don describes each one, with details about In-Tank Co-Current and Counter-Current Styles, Hang-On Styles, and Summaries on both In-Tank & Hang-On Skimmer Styles.

Forums: Which Protein Skimmer??? I know what type equipment to get, but when it comes to protein skimmers, there are sooooo many to choose from...

The Dragon Eel is one of the rarest and most sought after eels in the world. Due to this eel's aggressive and predatory nature it is often difficult to keep with other marine life, including other eels.

More: Snowflake Moray Eel. A less expensive and safe alternative to the Dragon Eel?

More: Eel Photos
Photo © Keoki Stender