Small Marine Aquariums

Looking for advice operating a small salt water aquarium. Any references devoted to this?

I'm starting a new 26gal marine aquarium. Regarding fish, macro algae, soft corals, and live rock, what are your recommendations for quantities and varieties? I'm also looking for web sites with color pictures of possible choices.

I tried a reef tank once before in a 20gal tank with as much lighting as I could muster. Micro algae was the death of me, and I don't think I did a good job feeding anything but the fish. The anenomes died. It was bad.

This time I want to keep it a bit lower maintenance, and with the best possible chance for success.

The tank is all set up with 60lbs of crushed coral, 20 of which was "live." I've got a Bio Wheel filter and reverse flow powerhead connected to an undergravel filter. Each is rated for a 50gal tank. The light is a single 18watt bulb that came with the tank cover.

Temp is about 78-80 degrees and pH is about 8.0. S.G. is 1.025.

I'm planning on buying two Damsels tonight.

Thanks!

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-Tony.

Marine tanks under 30 Gallons are often referred to as "Nano Reefs," and this type of system is becoming more and more popular in recent years. There are several online communities dedicated to this type of tank, as well as Nano-Reef subforums on some of the other major aquarium hobbyist sites. A wealth of information can be found by searching for the term "nano reef" and by visiting the following:

http://www.nano-reef.com/
http://www.nanoreefs.co.uk/
http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?showforum=73

Although I've not entered this hobby (yet Very Happy

), I've been really impressed with some of the designs I've seen. Some of the forums out there have galleries that are just amazing. There's even a Pico Reef hobby emerging: I've seen photos of successful 1 Gallon tanks!