So, what are the things you need to have a great reef tank? Among the most important are money, knowledge, patience, time, and a conscientious spirit.

Number one unfortunately is money. Can you have a beautiful bare-bones reef tank? Yes. It takes lots of planning, knowledge, and luck, in my opinion. An average sized reef tank, 75 gallons, could cost as much as $3000 to set-up. Start checking the newspapers and bulletin boards online and at LFS now for used set-ups. This is one of the least expensive ways to get started in the hobby.

After money, the most important thing you can have is knowledge. Go to the library or amazon.com and stock up on the latest saltwater and reefkeeping books. Learn everything you can about how to set-up, maintain, and stock an aquarium before buying anything else! Check out the numerous message boards online, and local reefkeeping or saltwater aquarium clubs as further resources. Read, read, and read some more. Arm yourself with knowledge.

Next comes patience. You've learned all about protein skimmers, water chemistry, kalkwasser, and compatibility of fish and corals, and you want it all NOW. Trust me, I know. I've been there. You've learned about the ammonia cycle and then you see the words: wait 6 weeks before adding any livestock to your tank. What?!? You think six weeks is long? What about some experts who think you should let your tank mature for 6 months or even a year without adding fish or corals?? Time and time again on the message board we have helped individuals with setting-up and planning their reef tanks. At the six week mark, or when ammonia and nitrites are 0 and nitrates <5-10, they run out and buy a yellow tang. A few days later they are posting that their tang has ich. Give your tank time to mature. When your tank has cycled, pat yourself on the back and sit and stare at all the wonderful things popping up on your live rock. Then, add some snails, detrivores, etc. Sit back and be amazed at the critters crawling through the sand bed. Add a couple of shrimp or easy to keep inverts like a feather duster. Sit back and be amazed when both of your cleaner shrimp are carrying eggs at the same time. Now you can add fish and corals, enjoying each new addition fully and allowing your tank to grow and adjust. I can't stress enough how important it is to take things slowly when stocking your tank. "Nothing good ever happens fast in a reef tank."

Another important factor in keeping a reef tank is time. Do you have time to mix saltwater, do water changes, test your water, feed the fish, add fresh water, clean the skimmer, etc? Do you have time to relax and enjoy your tank and share it with friends and loved ones? Do you travel a lot? Reef tanks just take a few minutes of your attention a day, but they do require time and dedication. The more gadgets you have, the less time your tank will require, but you must also keep these gadgets in working order.

The last key to a successful reef aquarium is a conscientious spirit. What I mean by that is research the care and compatibility of the animals you want before purchasing them. Know the limitations of your tank. Learn about the recommended minimum tank sizes for fish, and stock accordingly. Understand the needs of photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic corals. Buy captive-bred fish and captive-propagated corals when available. And lastly, learn about the fish, corals, and invertebrates that are best left in the ocean. Don't let greed or selfish desires get in the way of creating a suitable environment for our animals to not just survive, but to thrive.

I hope these tips will give you a head start in this fascinating hobby. Please check out the links in the article to learn more about keeping reef aquariums.