What's the difference between a coral tank and a reef tank?

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

See the marine parameters chart here:

http://www.liveaquaria.com/PIC/article.cfm?aid=89

 

Curious as to what specifically defines each environment.

[Angeles]

It means like coral reefs in the ocean. A reef tank is a coral and inverts tank.

[HarryPotter]

See the marine parameters chart here:

http://www.liveaquaria.com/PIC/article.cfm?aid=89

2016-02-13 15_09_26-Maintaining Proper Water Quality in the Home Aquarium.jpg

 

Curious as to what specifically defines each environment.

 

 

Well a reef aquarium is corals/invertebrates in an aquarium. A FOWLER is just fish with live rock so the parameters are not as precise or high.

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

Yeah, I have a FOWLR but I don't understand exactly what the difference is between a coral tank and a reef tank. They would BOTH seem the same to me -- they have corals and fishies and live rock, just like a little chunk of the ocean in a tank.

[gus6464]

The coral reefs part on that chart means the parameters of the ocean. Most people don't run their tank at those parameters. If you use a hot salt like red sea pro you will have alk in 11-12 range. Also the ocean tends to have lower calcium levels than most people keep their tanks. They just have it there as a reference.

[Sunar357]

Yeah, I have a FOWLR but I don't understand exactly what the difference is between a coral tank and a reef tank. They would BOTH seem the same to me -- they have corals and fishies and live rock, just like a little chunk of the ocean in a tank.

FOWLR = Fish Only With Live Rock

 

They don't generally have corals so the parameters don't need to be as spot on. Hence the Nitrates and Phosphates being less of a big deal.

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

The coral reefs part on that chart means the parameters of the ocean. Most people don't run their tank at those parameters... Also the ocean tends to have lower calcium levels than most people keep their tanks. They just have it there as a reference.

 

Ah, okay, thank you. That is helpful.