Newer methods for keeping such aquariums, including very hi-tech instrumentation, are being advocated all the time. Sophisticated testing is recommended as well. In short, a completely different approach than the one Hobbyists and Stores have been accustomed to, leading to a lot of confusion and misunderstandings, especially since some of the recommendations have not been tested over long periods of time yet, and may even conflict.

Although books such as "The Marine Fish and Invert Reef Aquarium", and "Advanced Reef Keeping Made Simple" have obviously helped a great deal, both are concerned with larger systems. Tanks in the 100 to 150 gallon range, a size that not many Hobbyists keep and that requires more sophistication, and the related expenses, because of the greater amount of animal life that is kept in such aquariums.

Of course, the methods advocated there, can be applied to smaller aquariums as well, but increase the budget required to get into Reef Keeping quite a bit.

Many Store Owners, and many Hobbyists, have suggested that I write a book geared more specifically to the Reef Keeper who wishes to maintain a small system successfully without having to spend thousands of dollars. Very instrumental in convincing me to undertake this project was Roger Paro, of Kenlin Pet Supplies, in Mahwah, New Jersey. This manuscript is, therefore, the product of all the suggestions received, and a little arm twisting from some.

The book is shorter than my other ones, mainly because interested readers can refer to both of them for a more detailed look at some of the subjects covered here. Additionally, some of the equipment discussed in the other books is not used in the set-up that I would like to suggest for the smaller aquarium, the one discussed here.

General aquarium keeping is not covered in this book. You should refer to one of the many other books available for more details on, e.g. heating, biological filtration, and why and how it takes place, stands, tanks, fish, other animals, background information, etc...

One such book that is strongly recommended is Martin A. Moe Jr.'s " The Marine Aquarium Reference - Systems and Invertebrates" 1989, 510 pp, Green Turtle Publications. It contains a wealth of information and techniques that you may want to consider when setting up your new Reef Tank, or when making modifications to an existing aquarium. It is brand new and incorporates very up-to-date information, drawing on the latest technology available, and very recent texts, articles and books.

Martin Moe's contributions to the Hobby already stood out with his first book, Marine Aquarium Handbook, Beginner to Breeder this one tops it. Every serious Hobbyist should get a copy of it. It is available from stores nationwide.

Do not overlook the many books published by T.F.H. Publications either, they are, after all, the largest publishers of Aquarium literature in the world, and have books on many subjects of interest to the Reef Keeping Hobbyist. Your local Pet Store will usually have a wide assortment of their books.

What we are trying to achieve in this one, is setting up a Reef Tank on a budget! You may still have to spend more money than what you would lay out for a regular fish tank, but it certainly will not be a budget that resembles anything like the tanks described in both my other books, where most functions are auto- mated; or where I describe how you can introduce such automation, and what your options are.

No tank can be set up for two or three hundred dollars, but by following the directions in this guide you should be able to considerably reduce the cost of what you thought installing such a tank would necessitate. The cost of the aquarium and the stand are not part of what we will be reviewing. You may have both already, or you may want to shop around for a special. Pet Stores have them all the time. Alternatively look in your local bargain newspaper. Fish tanks are advertised in such newspapers every week, and at excellent prices. You may even find some of the equipment you will need as well.

Because Reef Keeping is complex, much more so than just plain fish-only tanks, the selection of the items that you will be using is important. Buy products that will last you for a long time. Avoid the "store-them-in-the-garage-or-attic and replace- them-with-something-else syndrome" so characteristic of what a lot of us have been doing in the past.

By buying the right product, of the right quality, you will buy only once. Let me illustrate this, for example, if you need an overflow surface-skimming syphon, and 3 are offered for sale, don't buy the cheapest one. Unless of course that happens to be the one that you need for your tank.

First determine what you need, then select what to buy. If you are looking at running several hundred gallons of water per hour, a syphon with half inch connections will not do the job, even though it may be the cheapest. All that will happen is that after a few weeks you will get tired of messing around with it, having determined that it doesn't really do the job, and end up buying a more expensive one anyway. As a result you end up spending more money than if you had bought the right one to begin with.

Determining what your exact needs are is half the battle. Once you know what you need, you can start looking around for the product that meets the specifications you have found to be necessary. That product will not become obsolete in a couple of weeks or months, because it will be the right one for the job.

Another example is the redox potential meter. A meter alone will only tell you what the redox is. Soon you may get the urge to control it. A meter cannot do that. You will then want, and need, a redox potential controller. This is a different piece of equipment, that you will then need to buy, and it will obsolete the meter. The money spent on the meter will have been wasted. Think before buying and decide what it really is that you will want to do. Of course, in a small system you may not want to automate, and then a meter will do fine.

Ask questions about the equipment. For instance, in the case of controllers, either for pH or redox potential, many less expensive models are so-called "panel mount" types, requiring hard wiring and having no full external cover.

What you are probably looking for is a so-called "bench top" model, one in which you can just plug in the device (e.g. ozone, chemical metering pump, peristaltic pump) that you are trying to control, without any wiring whatsoever.

Keep these remarks in mind every time you need to acquire some piece of equipment or instrument. They will save you a lot of money in the long run.

Reef Keeping is fascinating and it can be great fun, but you must meet certain minimum requirements in water quality, or your tank just will not look good. What these parameters are, and how to attain them on a smaller budget is the purpose of this book.

Setting up a Reef Tank will still cost a fair amount of money, but using the methods described here, a lot less than if you went with a full-fledged automated system such as the ones described in my other two books, or often referred to in Marine Reef, the newsletter of which I have the pleasure of being the Editor. Such systems are of course much more self-sufficient, but obviously at a cost.

We hope that the recommendations made in this book will help, and welcome suggestions for inclusion in future editions, and reprints. If we have overlooked something, if a particular method has worked for you, let us know about it.

Sharing knowledge is what it's all about.

As a final note, don't expect any miracles, successful aquarium keeping is a combination of a fair amount of knowledge, common sense practices, and the right equipment. Good luck in your endeavors.

Albert J. Thiel
Trumbull, Connecticut

A special note of thanks to Guido Hueckstedt, whose contributions to the Hobby, and research, are so often overlooked.

We also wish to acknowledge :

Martin A. Moe and most of all Sarah R. Thiel for her patience and understanding during the writing of this manuscript. Her support was invaluable to me.

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