Table of Contents
Introduction.
Chapter 1: Are You Ready to Get a Saltwater Aquarium?
Lifestyle Impacts.
Time Commitment.
Financial Commitment.
Learning Commitment.
Is a Saltwater Aquarium Right for Your Family?
Chapter 2: Designing Your Saltwater Aquarium.
Planning Basics.
Philosophy of the Natural Aquarium.
Minireef or Fish-Only?
What You’ll Need.
What You May Want.
Where to Find Equipment and Supplies.
How to Recognize Quality Saltwater Fish.
Getting Ready.
Chapter 3: Understanding How a Saltwater Aquarium Works.
Physical and Chemical Cycles.
Overview of the Coral Reef Environment.
Let Nature Take Its Course.
Chapter 4 Stocking Your Tank I: Fish.
The Best Home Aquarium Fish.
Getting to Know Fish.
Who Lives with Whom?
Saltwater Fish Families.
Popular Species for Fish-Only Tanks.
Reef-Compatible Fish Species.
Some Fish to Avoid.
Chapter 5: Stocking Your Tank II: Invertebrates.
Invertebrate Groups.
Invertebrate Roles in the Aquarium Community.
Live Rock.
Live Sand.
Utilitarian Invertebrates.
Photosynthetic Invertebrates.
Clownfish Host Anemones.
Nonphotosynthetic Invertebrates.
Seaweeds.
Some Invertebrates to Avoid.
Chapter 6: Stocking Your Tank III: Putting It All Together.
Developing a Stocking Plan.
Some Examples to Get You Started.
Create Your Own Stocking Plan.
Chapter 7: Setting Up Your Tank.
Setting Up a Quarantine Tank.
Basic Setup for a Small Tank.
Accommodating an Anemone.
Setting Up a Larger System.
Acclimating New Arrivals.
Creating a Fish-Only Tank.
Creating a Reef Habitat.
Chapter 8: Keeping Your Aquarium Healthy.
Avoiding Maintenance Headaches.
Feeding Fish.
Feeding Invertebrates.
Water Changes.
Mixing Synthetic Seawater.
Water Tests.
Equipment Maintenance.
The “Hurricane Effect”.
Record Keeping.
Family Aquarium Maintenance Routine.
Chapter 9: Keeping Your Fish and Invertebrates Healthy.
Why Problems Happen.
When Should I Medicate the Fish?
Invertebrate Parasites and Diseases.
Special Considerations for Reef Tanks.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Chapter 10: Your Aquarium as Part of the Family.
Daily Care.
On Vacation.
Relocating.
Appendix A: Useful Resources.
How to Use this Appendix.
Equipment and Maintenance Record.
Specimen Acquisition Record.
Tank Sitter Journal.
Fish Hospital Record.
Saltwater Aquarium Log.
Appendix B: Saltwater Fish and Invertebrates Sold for Home Aquariums.
Appendix C: Glossary.
Appendix D: Additional Saltwater Aquarium Resources.
Periodicals.
Organizations.
Books.
Coloring Page.
Index.