Can some one tell me what constitutes a reef tank. I do not want to put corals in my tank but like the strange crabs and shrips, can i have them with out corals, does having inverts mean it is reef tank, I will also have fish. Can some one explain.
Reef tank
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EMS503
Aquarium Advice Freak
I have been told by different folks that when you put LR in a tank they consider it a reef tank and others when you add corals it makes it a reef tank.
IMOP its when you add corals to a tank it becomes a reef also inverts again IMOP do not make it a reef tank. But this is a hobby with many different oppions
Call it what ever type of tank you want, if it makes you happy and you enjoy it that is all that really matters.
IMOP its when you add corals to a tank it becomes a reef also inverts again IMOP do not make it a reef tank. But this is a hobby with many different oppions
Call it what ever type of tank you want, if it makes you happy and you enjoy it that is all that really matters.d9hp
Aquarium Advice Addict
I agree with everything EMS said, It's your own, but I think when you put a coral in the tank, its a reef.
G
Guest
Guest
Most reefs are known because of the many strains of coral and fish..I would say 2 lbs of LR per gal, and whether you like it or not, you're on your way to a reef.
loganj
Aquarium Advice Addict
Yeah...when that coral bug bites, it bites hard. No turning back 
Logan J
Logan J
This is how I see saltwater tanks as being classified.
Fish Only (FO) - Very simple name and thats what it is. A saltwater tank with just fish and a substrate of sand or crushed coral. Usually decorated with bleached coral skelitons.
Fish Only With Live Rock (FOWLR) - The only change in this style of tank aside from a fish only tank is the addition of live rocks. Usually FOWLR tanks also have coraline algae growth were as a Fish Only tank might not.
Reef - I would classify a reef tank to exist after adding corals to a FOWLR tank. Other items that come along with the reef upgrade would be higher output lights and possibly an increase in flow rate above what a FOWLR tank might have been configured with.
Fish Only (FO) - Very simple name and thats what it is. A saltwater tank with just fish and a substrate of sand or crushed coral. Usually decorated with bleached coral skelitons.
Fish Only With Live Rock (FOWLR) - The only change in this style of tank aside from a fish only tank is the addition of live rocks. Usually FOWLR tanks also have coraline algae growth were as a Fish Only tank might not.
Reef - I would classify a reef tank to exist after adding corals to a FOWLR tank. Other items that come along with the reef upgrade would be higher output lights and possibly an increase in flow rate above what a FOWLR tank might have been configured with.
michealprater
Aquarium Advice Addict
IMO if you put inverts in a tank it is a reef tank. Because some fish are considered non reef safe because they will eat shrimp, not just corals. For instance, the Harliquin Tusk fish, I would not consider him reef safe because he will eat shrimp.
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