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A living coral ecosystem with structure and color
A reef aquarium keeps live corals as the centerpiece: hard corals with calcium carbonate skeletons and soft corals, lit by strong actinic-heavy LED lighting, with powerful water movement and meticulously maintained water chemistry. It is the most technically demanding style.
Calcium, alkalinity and magnesium must be kept in tight ranges and dosed consistently. Stable parameters beat perfect ones.
High-intensity LED fixtures with blue-dominant spectrum drive photosynthesis in corals. Light is tailored to each coral's needs.
Randomized, turbulent flow from wavemakers brings food and oxygen to corals and sweeps detritus away.
Successful reefs are built over years. Adding corals gradually as the tank matures produces far better results than stocking fast.
Hobbyists who enjoy technology, chemistry and long-term caretaking. Not recommended as a first aquarium.
Start with a larger tank (100 L+) for stability, good filtration and a powerful skimmer.
Cycle with live rock and wait until ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are near zero.
Add hardy soft corals and LPS first; leave SPS for a mature tank.
Test and dose calcium, alkalinity and magnesium on a fixed schedule.
Add clean-up crew and fish gradually, watching coral health after every change.