• Skip to main content
AlgaeBarn

AlgaeBarn

Marine Aquariums Made Easy!

    • Shop See All
      • Ultimate Packs See All
      • Ultimate Refugium Starter
      • Clam Keeper Kits
      • Ultimate Ecopack
      • Mandarin Feeder Kit
      • Hair Algae Killer Kit
      • See All Ultimate Packs
      • Live Foods See All
      • Copepods
        • Ecopods
        • 5280 Pods
        • Galaxy Pods
        • Poseidon's Feast
        • Tisbe Pods
        • Tig Pods
      • Food Combos
        • Ecopods & Phyto
        • Galaxy Pods & Phyto
        • Poseidon's & Phyto
        • Tig Pods & Phyto
        • Tisbe Pods & Phyto
      • Phytoplankton
        • Oceanmagik
      • Brine Shrimp
        • Simple Brine
        • Nano Brine Shrimp
        • Premium Brine Shrimp Eggs
        • Magnetic Brine Shrimp Eggs
      • Most Popular Products
        • Galaxy Pods 5 Species Copepod Blend

          Galaxy Pods

          $66 – $229
          Shop Now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
        • Ecopods 4 Pack Special

          $99
          Shop Now
        • Galaxy Pods & Phyto Combo

          $80
          Shop Now
        • 5280 Pods

          $45
          Shop Now
      • Macroalgae See All
      • Clean Macro Series
        • Clean Chaeto
        • Clean Sea Lettuce
        • Clean Green Ogo
        • Clean Mocha Ogo
        • Clean Mocha Spike Sphere
        • Pom Pom
        • Red Ogo
        • Red Spike Sphere
        • Red Spaghetti
        • Red Mangrove
      • Premium Rare Macro
        • Leafy Ogo
        • Blue Hypnea
        • Dragon's Tongue
        • Thick Ogo
      • Most Popular Products
        • Clean Chaeto

          $40 – $125
          Shop Now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
        • Clean Sea Lettuce

          $30 – $95
          Shop Now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
        • Red Ogo

          $30 – $80
          Shop Now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
        • Red Mangrove

          $13
          Shop Now
      • Captive Bred Fish See All
      • Gobies
        • Green Mandarin
        • Court Jester Goby
        • Watchman Goby
        • White Spotted Goby
      • AngelFish
        • Biota Coral Beauty
        • Maculosus Angel
        • Majestic Angel
        • Swallowtail Angel
      • Tangs
        • Yellow Tang
        • Blue Tang
      • More Species
        • Grammas
        • FileFish
        • Blennies
        • Damsel
        • ClownFish
        • RabbitFish
      • Most Popular Products
        • Blue Mandarin

          BIOTA Green Mandarin

          $99 – $209
          Shop Now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
        • ORA Neon Goby

          $35
          Shop Now
        • Captive Bred Yellow Tangs by BIOTA

          BIOTA Yellow Tang

          $250
          Shop Now
        • ORA Premium Picasso

          $145 – $300
          Shop Now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
      • Captive Bred Invertebrates See All
      • Clams
        • Ora Derasa Clam
        • Squamosa Clam
        • Ora Gigas Clam
        • Ora Maxima Clam
        • Ora Hippopus Clam
      • Shrimp
        • Ora Peppermint Shrimp
        • Harlequin Shrimp
      • Snails
        • Cerith Snails
        • Trochus Snail
        • Nassarius Snails
      • Urchins
        • Ora Tuxedo Urchin
        • Ora Pincushion Urchin
      • Most Popular Products
        • Animated gif of peppermint shrimp

          Peppermint Shrimp

          $49 – $119
          Shop Now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
        • 10 Cerith Snails

          Cerith Snail

          $25 – $79
          Shop Now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
        • pincushion urchin lytechinus variegatus reef safe and captive bred by ora for sale at algaebarn

          Pincushion Urchin

          $29 – $99
          Shop Now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
        • Gold Maxima Clam Bed

          ORA Maxima Clam

          $80 – $150
          Shop Now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
      • Corals See All
      • LPS Corals
        • Biota Pearl Bubble
        • ORA Pearl Bubble
        • ORA Marshall Island Goniopora
        • ORA Marshall Island Hammer
      • SPS Corals
        • ORA Pearlberry Acropora
        • ORA Micronesian Imperial Acropora
        • ORA Turquoise Acropora
        • ORA Micronesian Yellow Porites
      • Soft Corals
        • BIOTA White Polyp Toadstool
        • ORA Long Polyp Leather Coral
        • ORA Silver Xenia
        • ORA Pulsing Xenia
      • Frag Packs
      • Most Popular Products
        • Biota Pearl Bubble Coral

          $65
          Notify Me When in Stock
        • ORA Pearlberry Acropora

          $290
          Notify Me When in Stock
        • BIOTA White Polyp Toadstool

          $70
          Notify Me When in Stock
      • Additives & Bacteria See All
      • Live Cultures & Bacteria
        • Turbostart 900 Saltwater
        • Aquarium Cycle Kit
        • Coralline Algae
        • PNS Yellosno
        • PNS Probio™
      • Additives & Chemicals
        • Nitrocycle
        • Clarifier
        • Fritz A.C.C.R
        • Fritz RPM Salt
      • Most Popular Products
        • Mandarin Feeder Kit™

          $66
          Shop Now
        • Coralline Algae in a Bottle, In Pink or Purple!

          Coralline Algae

          $22 – $44
          Shop Now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
        • MarinePure 10 Cubes

          2″ Cubes

          $5 – $99
          Notify Me When in Stock This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
        • Ultimate EcoPack

          $100
          Shop Now
      • Aquarium Supplies See All
      • Fuge Lighting
        • AI Fuge 16HD Light
        • Kessil A360X Fuge Light
        • Kessil H160
        • Kessil H80
        • Chaetomax
      • Biomedia
        • Marinepure Gems
        • Marinepure Rocks
        • Marinepure Plate
        • Marinepure Cubes
        • Marinepure Spheres
      • Foods
        • Dragon Roe
        • Simple Brine
        • Can'O Cyclops
        • Benereef™
        • Fresco Cyclops
      • Rock & Sand
        • Dry Rock
        • Clam Rocks
      • Most Popular Products
        • Mandarin Feeder Kit™

          $66
          Shop Now
        • Coralline Algae in a Bottle, In Pink or Purple!

          Coralline Algae

          $22 – $44
          Shop Now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
        • MarinePure 10 Cubes

          2″ Cubes

          $5 – $99
          Notify Me When in Stock This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
        • Ultimate EcoPack

          $100
          Shop Now
      • CADE Aquariums See All
      • Reef Series
        • CADE REEF 500 S2
        • CADE REEF 600 S2
        • CADE REEF 900 S2
        • CADE REEF 1200 S2
        • CADE REEF 1500 S2
        • CADE REEF 1800 S2
        • CADE REEF 2100 S2
      • Frag Series
        • CADE Frag 600 S2/F
        • CADE Frag 900 S2/F
        • CADE Frag 1200 S2/F
        • CADE Frag 1500 S2/F
      • Peninsula Series
        • CADE Peninsula 1200 S2/P
        • CADE Peninsula 1500 S2/P
        • CADE Peninsula 1800 S2/P
      • Most Popular Products
        • CADE REEF 2100 S2

          $7,225
          Shop Now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
        • CADE Peninsula 1500 S2/P

          $5,525
          Shop Now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
        • CADE REEF 1200 S2

          $4,125
          Shop Now This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
        • CADE Frag 900 S2/F

          $3,275
          Notify Me When in Stock This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • Blog
  • Shipping
  • Our Guarantee
  • Help
  • Deals
  • Sign In
  • Cart
You are here: Home / Beginners Education / Sustainable Reef Tanks

Sustainable Reef Tanks

by Courtney Tavares

At AlgaeBarn, we are on a mission to create a more sustainable hobby. Sustainable reef keeping entails maintaining a system that reduces damage to coral reefs. Sustainability also means making choices that benefit the environment. And thanks to some innovative products and improvements in equipment, a more sustainable hobby is in reach! In this article, we will be talking about setting up a reef tank that is more viable and helps keep natural coral reefs intact.

Building a more sustainable reef tank is easy and economical. Many of our customers that are newer to the hobby have been asking for guidelines to build a reef tank that is more sustainable. At AlgaeBarn, we have dreamed of reef tanks that are fully stocked by aquaculture. This is finally a reality!

Most reef keepers genuinely care for the environment and recognize the value of aquaculture in the hobby. Only within the last few years have we been able to truly promote a fully sustainable reef tank. Coral mariculture, aquaculture, and captive bred fish are affordable and widely available online and at the LFS.

Sustainable rock for the reef tank

Algae, bacteria, and marine inverts cover live rock. Live rock is used to seed reef tanks with many of the beneficial organisms that act as a foundation for nitrification. These microbes also stabilize pH levels and water chemistry, and thus acting as a biological filter. However, because the live rock is collected from living coral reef, it is not a sustainable choice.

Artificial and mined live rock are new, more sustainable option options. These rocks are composed of a cement-like mixture of calcium carbonate material, sand, and crushed shell. It is highly porous, allowing coralline and other microbes, algae, and inverts to grow on it. This provides a great foundation for the beneficial microbial growth that will act as a natural filter in the reef tank. Its application lowers the economic and ecological costs of using wild harvested live rock. Artificial rock that has been inoculated and cured can then be used to set up new reef tanks.

Manufactured live rock has been made by using all the elements that nature uses to construct a coral reef. The only difference is that this method is entirely eco-friendly! While there have been many sustainable live rock options available through the years, it has only been very recently that a genuine 100% eco-friendly alternative has become available. There are now several kinds of eco-friendly rock readily available at AlgaeBarn. And to truly make this a more economical option, we offer free ground shipping on live rock orders over $59.

Dry live rock comes in an extensive collection of shapes as well as sizes. There is even branching rock that can be used to create breathtaking and unique aquascapes. We also carry sustainable forms of aragonite sand for use as substrate. To simplify choosing the right products, check out our Starter Kits! We include everything needed for seeding a new reef tank at a discounted price.

Dried live rocks also help keep pathogens out of the reef tank. For instance, dry live rock is an ideal habitat for live pods, like those found in our 5280 Pods blend. If we start our reef tanks without pests or parasites, we are saving time and money in the long run.

Choosing captive bred fish

It is now possible to obtain a wide range of beautiful captive-bred fish for the reef tank. Moreover, as our hobby advances year after year, more species become available. However, there are additional considerations that are important for beginners.

When selecting multiple fish for the reef tank, it is crucial to select fish that will not have territorial or aggressive behaviors. You will want to make sure that you choose to fish that have peaceful temperaments. Also, it is very important to choose fish that are reef safe. Most reef keepers want energetic fish that do not spend their days in hiding. These are just a few things for reef keepers to think about when choosing their fish.

Here are a few of our suggestions for captive-bred fish:

ORA Electric Indigo Dotty back (Pseudochromis fridmani x sankeyi)

ORA Black Snowflake Clownfish  (Amphiprion ocellaris)

ORA Neon Dottyback (Pseudochromis aldabraensis)

Choosing aquacultured corals for the reef tank

While choosing corals, AlgaeBarn suggests starting with hardy, easy-to-care-for soft corals. After the training wheels come off, move onto LPS corals, and gradually progress to SPS corals. LPS corals and most softies add movement to the reef tank. There are various species of coral available that are perfectly sustainable, and captive bred.

We have several species of LPS, SPS and soft corals. We stock over 100 coral species that are easy to care for and entirely sustainably grown.

 

 

Here are a few of our favorite corals that are very easy to care for:

ORA  Toadstool Leather (Sarcophyton sp.)

ORA Green Finger Leather (Sinularia sp.)

Biota Green Yuma Mushroom Coral (Ricordia yuma)

ORA Red Zoanthids

ORA Marshall Island Hammer Coral

Using sustainably grown macroalgae in the reef tank system

Many species of macroalgae are cultured right here at AlgaeBarn. These are easy to order right on our website. Macroalgae can be kept in a refugium, tank, or an algae scrubber. This helps assist in removing excess nutrients and waste compounds from the reef tank. Our macroalgae varieties are sustainably grown and can even be used to add color and interest to the display tank.

Here are a few of our best-selling macroalgae varieties:

Clean Sea Lettuce (Ulva sp.)

Chaetomorpha

Red Pom Pom (Gracilaria sp.)

Conclusion

Sustainable reef keeping is a commitment but today it is easier than ever! We can all do our part as reef keepers to preserve natural coral reefs. Choosing reef fish and corals that are captive bred helps to reduce the demand for wild harvested coral. Reef keeping is a great hobby and reef tanks create a calming aesthetic in homes and offices. And today we have the benefit of building reef tanks that minimize impacts to coral reefs.

We are proud to be a leader in the movement to promote sustainability and conservation in reef keeping. It is possible to have diversity in a reef tank without collecting any wild fish and coral. Thanks to the work of facilities like Biota and ORA, we can choose captive-bred fish that are healthy and affordable. And this is another reason why we strive to provide the best aquacultured live foods in the industry.

We believe that when people learn from the creatures in our oceans, it’s the best way to inspire others to join our conservation efforts. Drop a comment below and let us know what you do at home and in your reef tank to conserve wild coral reefs!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

How hard is it to keep a refugium?

Adding a refugium to the reef tank system can be a game changer for some reef keepers! Most experienced hobbyists agree that a refugiums’ natural

Read More about How hard is it to keep a refugium?

The Ultimate Housekeepers

We at AlgaeBarn love clean-up crew critters and microorganisms, so welcome to the ultimate housekeeping celebration! At AlgaeBarn, we are highlighting our

Read More about The Ultimate Housekeepers

Keeping the Chalk Bass

As many fish store workers can probably attest, beginner marine aquarium hobbyists have a strange knack for finding the toughest to keep species. Whether

Read More about Keeping the Chalk Bass

Didn't find what you were looking for?

Browse the AlgaeLab by Category

  • Advanced Education
  • Beginners Education
  • CADE Aquariums
  • Captive Bred Fish
  • Clean Up Crew
  • Company News
  • Copepods
  • Corals
  • Freshwater
  • Freshwater Aquariums
  • Intermediate Education
  • Invertebrates
  • Live foods
  • Macroalgae
  • Our Oceans
  • Phytoplankton
  • Product Info
  • Refugium Education
  • Rock and Substrate
  • Saltwater Aquariums
  • Wholesale

Company

  • About Us
  • The AlgaeLab Blog
  • Our Team
  • Careers
  • FAQ

Get in Touch

  • Contact Us
  • AOA Claim Form
  • Press Inquiries
  • Call Us: 772-444-7637

Policies

  • Legendary AOA Guarantee
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement

Other

  • Store Locator
  • Wholesale & B2B inquired
  • Business Location

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Join our mission to build a more sustainable aquarium hobby, one tank at a time!

Copyright 2025, AlgaeBarn LLC - Live Copepods and Phytoplankton