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Basically, the different types of reef aquarium setups will fall into 3 categories.

• 1. Low demand systems.



• 2. Moderate demand systems.



• 3. High demand systems.

All 3 types can be of any size from nano (6 gallon to 24 gallon), up to sizes in the hundreds of gallons.

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These differences are primarily based around the types of reef critters you want to house, how much time you have available to spend on the hobby and finally, the amount of money you are willing to spend on your little piece of the ocean.

A low demand system usually consists of NO fluorescent bulb lighting (maybe power compacts), low light corals, invertebrates, fish, with low to moderate water flow. This type of aquarium would be the easiest to start and maintain. A fish only with live rock setup would be in this classification.

The moderate demand system will consist of moderate to high intensity lighting (power compacts, T5's), soft and LPS corals, maybe even a few SPS located in the upper half of the tank, invertebrates and fish, with moderate flow throughout the tank. The amount of time needed for maintenance might be in the range of a few hours a week.

The high demand system will consist of lighting of the highest intensity, usually Metal Halide or a combination of MH and T5's, SPS corals, maybe some LPS corals, clams, invertebrates and fish, with a high water flow and sometimes a wavemaker can be used.

This type of tank needs to have pristine water conditions. Testing of the water parameters is done on a weekly basis.

Maintenance for this system could easily run into several hours a week, depending on how much automation you have.

There is a good chance you will need to supplement your tank with calcium if you have a lot of SPS corals. A great way to do this is with a calcium reactor. As with a lot of things in this hobby, they are not cheep, but will do a wonderful job.

It is important to have a good idea what you want your tank to evolve into, before you begin.

Now might be a good time to take a break and think about which one is best suited for your situation.

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