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How did you discover nano reef keeping, and how did you get started? Was it Nano-Reef.com, a friend, or a local fish store? What was hard about getting started? What would you have done differently?

How many aquariums do you have?

Hobbyists have a lot of options today when it comes to choosing saltwater for their reef aquariums. The most common option has traditionally been mixing saltwater at home using carefully developed dry synthetic blends. For hobbyists fortunate to live near the ocean, or a public aquarium, bulk supply of filtered seawater has long been available. In more recent years, it's become possible to even purchase pre-packaged jugs of filtered seawater in local stores, a real convenience for nano reef keepers in particular. Many local fish stores also offer both pre-mixed saltwater and filtered seawater in bulk, allowing you to purchase just the right amount while reusing your own containers. Let's take a look at where everyone is sourcing their own nano reef aquarium's saltwater. Have you made a switch from one source to another? Share your experiences, good and bad!

How do you "top-off" your nano reef?

The age old debate, do you use a protein skimmer? Vote in the poll.

I've come across a number of (admittedly older) articles about temperatures in the oceans and in reef tanks and how they affects coral growth rates and health. Of course, temperature also affects a host of other factors such as metabolic rates of fish, corals, inverts, and even bacteria, their immune systems, photosynthesis, dissolved O2 and CO2 and resulting pH swings, Alkalinity consumption, algal growth rates, evaporation, electric bills... seemingly everything... From an article by Ronald Shimek: The average annual temperature of most coral reefs is around 82 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit (27 to 28 degrees Celsius), which seems to be the optimum for coral growth. The most diverse coral reefs are found in a band running from Palau in the Western Caroline Islands through Indonesia (Veron 1986). In this area the atoll water temperature averages around 84 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius) and probably never gets as low as 80 degrees (around 27 degrees Celsius) and the salinity on the reef faces generally is in excess of 35 parts per thousands (ppt) (Sverdrup et al. 1942, Brandon 1973). Most of our corals and the associated fauna, including fish, will live best at these conditions (Weber and White 1976). Additionally many of these areas have summer avg temperatures in the mid-to-high 80's with peaks sometimes exceeding 90°. However most people (myself included) keep their aquariums way below this range, and most programmed thermometers/thermostats seem to target 78°F by default. Many of us even employ chillers to actively prevent temperatures from ever reaching these ranges identified as 'optimum' for corals. So what temperature do you target? And if you've contemplated the reason, why?

What do you use to clean the inside panels of your aquarium? I have always used a razor blade on my glass aquariums. I found the magnetic cleaners were convenient, but could never reach everything.

What kind of water do you use?

How do you measure the salinity of your reef?

Where do you buy your corals?

Do you use reef keeping books as a source of information?

Choose what types of foods you use to feed your fish in the poll above, and share your favorites types or brands in the comments below.

Deep sand bed or bare bottom? Which method do you use for your nano reef? What substrate do you prefer? Have you tried one and later switched? Discuss your ideas and experiences.

Does your spouse or partner share your love of aquariums?

Aquarium lighting can replicate an array of different color temperatures, with reef aquariums typically requiring a color temperature somewhere between 10,000K (Cool White) and 20,000K (Cool Blue). Some hobbyists prefer the shallow water brightness of 10,000K, others prefer the deeper water hue of 20,000K, while most prefer it somewhere in the middle. Where do you stand?

Do you wear gloves when working in your aquarium?

For our latest poll, we'll take a look at a more somber subject, the changing global economy. Its been wild roller coaster ride the past 8 years, and it seems we've all been effected in some way. Booms, busts, recession, and recovery, no one can quite say where we are on the path, the only thing for certain is that we'll continue to face some big changes. Fill out the poll based on your experiences, and share a little something about how you've been effected, for better or worse, in the comments.

Basic maintenance - it's the cornerstone of any successful reef tank. How we care for our equipment will in turn affect the health and longevity of the animals in our care. So share your tank size, what you do, and how often. If you have any tips or tricks to share, this is the place for those as well.

First of all, I apologize in the vast lateness in posting this thread. Personal issues have kept me away from the computer and my mind off reefs (as evidenced by mine) for several weeks. Plus, Gil said he'd post one for me...It went something like this: Gil, post a topic of the week for me ok? TYIA. Apparently, my thanks were premature. So on to the topic! Care and feeding: What have you used, what's worked for you in the past, what have your experieces taught you to stay away from? This is for both fish and inverts. Tell what kind of food, how often, and what kind of response do you see? I.E. growth rate, colors, etc.

With many of us preparing for holiday travel this year, I thought it would be a good time to discuss things we can do to prepare our systems for our absences. What do you plan to do with your aquarium while you're away? Will anyone else care for it, or will it be just fine on its own? Discuss problems and solutions, and share your past experiences!

What's the first coral you got for your nano reef? My first was green star polyps.

Admit it, you want to upgrade your aquarium. We've probably all thought of doing it before, or already have done it. This hot topic discussion is all about upgrading to a different aquarium. More space, better dimensions, a custom installation, or just better equipment. There are many reasons for upgrading to a new aquarium. What did you upgrade to, and how did you do it? What would you love to upgrade to? Share your experiences and goals for upgrading here.

Do you currently maintain a quarantine tank? How often and how long do you quarantine your new additions, if at all? Have you had success with your quarantine procedures? Vote in our poll and discuss your experiences here.

What is your favorite type of fish?

Mine was from cured rock from Fiji.