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Beginners Education

Arguably, there are few “pastimes” as challenging and all-consuming as marine (and especially reef) aquarium keeping. Longtime hobbyists might forget the relative ease with which they likely got “into” reef aquaria--very possibly with a lot of freshwater aquarium keeping experience behind them. While it is true that the foods, equipment and methodologies of today are greatly improved from those of yesteryear, there is now so much more to learn from the get-go. Definitely a lot of choices to make! With the massive amounts of (often contradictory) information out there, beginner reef aquarists might feel more intimidated now than ever before.

That’s totally cool. You’ll get “there” soon enough. The most important thing is to move forward step-by-step, and to have fun along the way. The whole point of spending all that money and time on this (or any) hobby is to relax and maybe learn something, right? The vast majority of saltwater aquarists who throw the term “newbie” around don’t really mean it as a pejorative; if anything, they recall that period with nostalgia (and maybe even a bit of envy), for it is the fleeting beginner stage where aquarium keeping is especially exciting and the animals so incredibly fascinating.

No one here would suggest that a beginning aquarist should avoid challenges, but we certainly would advise one against making some of those beginner mistakes. In reef aquarium keeping, there is no bigger virtue than patience!

In this section, you will learn how to avoid some of the most common pitfalls for novice aquarists as well as how to build the foundation of knowledge you’ll need to master the art.

188 Posts

Keeping a Coldwater Marine Aquarium

Marine aquarists have always had access to temperate species. In fact, in the days before improved packaging/shipping procedures
Read More about Keeping a Coldwater Marine Aquarium

Building Your Mangrove Biotope

Ahhh, the planted refugium… It’s become something much bigger and much more engaging than the mere “filter” it was just a few years
Read More about Building Your Mangrove Biotope

3 Saltwater Aquarium Pests

There are a few things that any hobbyist dreads finding in their aquarium. Aquarium pests can appear out of nowhere and can spread like
Read More about 3 Saltwater Aquarium Pests

4 Tangs For Beginners

Tangs are very common in larger aquariums because of their constant movement along with their stunning color. That being said, no tang
Read More about 4 Tangs For Beginners

The brave and helpful cleaner shrimp in the mouth of a fish!

3 Symbiotic Relationships in the Marine Aquarium

Symbiotic relationships are perhaps the most amazing thing that occurs in marine environments. While there are some that you can
Read More about 3 Symbiotic Relationships in the Marine Aquarium

A very Funny name for a very unique invertebrates

3 Unique Invertebrates

There are many types of invertebrates in the marine aquarium trade and typically you will see the same 10-20 types. However, this
Read More about 3 Unique Invertebrates

4 Macroalgae for Beginners

Macroalgae are a great addition to any aquarium. They remove excess nutrients in the water column (such as phosphates and nitrates) and
Read More about 4 Macroalgae for Beginners

Utilizing the Peppermint Shrimp for General Tank Clean-Up

Maintaining a squeaky clean aquarium environment is no easy task. It requires frequent water changes, constantly rinsing mechanical
Read More about Utilizing the Peppermint Shrimp for General Tank Clean-Up

4 Gobies For Beginners

There are hundreds of different goby species, and they all require all kinds of diets and housing. This list names the top four gobies
Read More about 4 Gobies For Beginners

3 Oddball Saltwater Fish

Sure, clownfish and damsels are cool… But you may be looking to add something that isn't seen much in the hobby. One thing to keep in
Read More about 3 Oddball Saltwater Fish

Zoas are a beautiful addition to any reef

Knowing the Zoanthid

The zoanthid is one of the most stunning yet simplistic coral-like animals in this hobby. It can come in any color combination that you
Read More about Knowing the Zoanthid

A beautiful Home Reef Aquarium

3 Most Expensive Corals

For people that are new to this hobby, it is sometimes hard to grasp just how expensive certain corals can be. In this article I will
Read More about 3 Most Expensive Corals

The electric light show of a fairy wrasse

4 Underrated Saltwater Fish

When looking at fish for beginners, you are usually going to see the same fish recommended repeatedly. This list is for the people who
Read More about 4 Underrated Saltwater Fish

A remarkable long tentacled jellyfsh

Are You Ready to Keep Jellyfish?

There have been a few times that I've been asked how to care for jellyfish. And, long story short, it's complicated! In this short
Read More about Are You Ready to Keep Jellyfish?

What Clownfish Is Best For My Aquarium?

There are many different species of clownfish to choose from! Some look very different from others. Some are hardier than others. And,
Read More about What Clownfish Is Best For My Aquarium?

a Beautiful Scopas Tang

5 Overlooked Algae-Eaters

When it comes to your clean-up crew in your saltwater aquarium, you usually will think of snails, crabs and starfish. However, there
Read More about 5 Overlooked Algae-Eaters

Aiptasia Anemones can be a horrible pest

How to Get Rid of Aiptasia

When you're first starting out your aquarium, you usually will spend all day checking on everything in your tank ensuring everything is
Read More about How to Get Rid of Aiptasia

Humuhumu triggerfish

3 Monster Saltwater Fish

Just like on the freshwater side, which has its big arowanas, catfish, pacus, etc., there is a niche for “monster” fishkeeping amongst
Read More about 3 Monster Saltwater Fish

A large Conch in the ocean

3 Conchs for the Saltwater Aquarium

Conchs are definitely one of the more interesting mollusks that you can add to a saltwater tank. Depending on the type of conch you
Read More about 3 Conchs for the Saltwater Aquarium

Green Bubble Algae

Identifying Saltwater Algaes

Hundreds or even thousands of species of microalgae and photosynthetic bacteria may appear in your aquarium. Before treating any type
Read More about Identifying Saltwater Algaes

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