Coral- Is it real or fake?

Reef aquariums are one of the most difficult aquariums to keep. Although it is preferable to keep fish in there own environments and preserve the coral reefs of this earth, marine aquariums do have a place in this system first and utmost is, reef aquariums are a great educational tool. The downside is everyone wants a piece of coral. One answer is fake coral which still looks great and can help save these fragile environments

Looking at some of the man made substitute corals at one time would have been easy to spot a fake but now with modern materials and synthetic fabrics it seems quite a task to spot the difference. Here are some fake corals which look great and will enhance any aquarium. The good thing is you can use them in either freshwater aquarium of saltwater aquariums for a stunning affect.

Yellow Cauliflower Coral

Enhance the beauty of your aquarium with this unique, individually cast ornament. The solid color casting prevents fading and provides vivid colors that create a realistic Cauliflower Coral. The coral is safe for freshwater and saltwater aquariums.

Atlantic Anemone Coral

This ornament is constructed from a flexible, durable synthetic polymer that creates incredible life-like details and textures. The ornament is safe for freshwater and saltwater aquariums.

Blue Ridge Coral

The solid color casting prevents fading and provides vivid colors that create a realistic Blue Ridge Coral. The coral is safe for freshwater and saltwater aquariums.

Check this article for more on coral reef survival.

Synthetic plants and coral for your aquarium.

It is lovely to have live aquarium plants or coral in your fish tank but sometimes it is not practical and it does take some upkeep. The obvious answer is to enhance your aquarium with synthetic plants or coral. Some synthetic corals are very realistic and can look beautiful in your aquarium. Another benefit is that they can be used in both freshwater aquariums and seawater aquariums. The only thing you have to do is make sure they are cleaned thoroughly before putting them into your tank. Below are a few ideas for

Atlantic Anemone Coral

Enhance the beauty of your aquarium with this unique Atlantic Anemone Coral. This ornament is constructed from a flexible, durable synthetic polymer that creates incredible life-like details and textures. The ornament is safe for freshwater and saltwater aquariums. The colour is white with pink tips and the size is 4 in. x 4 in. x 3 in.

Branching Montipora

The colour and serenity of a reef that will never fade away. Flexible Tropical Treasures capture every last detail of the coral from which they were cast, so they are incredibly life-like. The resilient, flexible resin allows these fantastic creations to be gentle toward fish and other tank inhabitants, as well as sway in a strong current. Create a breathtaking reef without the backbreaking work. The colour is pink and the size is 4 in. x 4 1/2 in. x 4 in.

Branch Coral

Enhance the beauty of your aquarium with this unique, individually cast ornament. The solid colour casting prevents fading and provides vivid colours that create a realistic Branch Coral. The coral is safe for freshwater and saltwater aquariums. The colour is a vivid pink and the size is 5 1/2 in. x 3 in. x 6 1/2 in.

For more information on caring for a coral aquarium check this out.

Why use Aquarium chillers

Most times we need to heat the water for out tropical fish but sometimes in the hot summer months tanks can over heat. if your fish get outside of there normal temperature zone and the water becomes too hot then they could easily die. this is where the aquarium chiller comes into its own. To overcome heat from pumping systems and lighting you may need to chill the water down. Also quite a lot of fish are cold water fish and this may also require a chiller. Read about one of the best aquarium chillers on the market today.

Trust Oceanic for the best aquarium chillers on the market today. Each one features one-touch temperature control down to  3 degrees Fahrenheit. A digital LCD display is as attractive as it is handy. A reusable, washable air filter keeps maintenance at a minimum, while a corrosion-resistant titanium heat exchanger ensures long-term operation. Watertight 360-degree adjustable inlet and outlet controls make placement simple. Each model includes a one-year limited warranty.

The 16 HP Aquarium Chiller offers 5/8 in. and 3/4 in. I.D. Tubing Connectors Ideal for aquariums up to 90 gallons A recommended flow rate from 325-550gph

The 14 HP Aquarium Chiller offers 58 in. and 3/4 in. I.D. Tubing Connectors Ideal for aquariums up to 125 gallons A recommended flow rate from 475-800gph

More live aquarium plants

Some other live aquarium plants which are great for your aquarium include.

Uruguayensis Sword

This sword grows very large and can be too big for smaller aquarium. Growth is relatively slow, however. Spreading is by shoots. Due to its large size, this sword is best as a background plants and is good for hiding tubes and pipes.

Aponogeton undulatus

Undulatus is similar to its cousin Aponogeton crispus. It is hardy and attractive, displaying full, ruffled foliage and often sending spiked blooms above the waters surface. Like many Aponogeton sp., undulatus will eventually lose its foliage and retreat into dormancy. In good conditions, the bulb should store enough energy to re-sprout after several weeks to begin the growth cycle again.
Crypt ciliata

Cryptocoryne ciliata has large, thick leaves and tall thick stems. The waxy leaves grow slowly to a height of up to 20″. Ciliata will tolerate hard and brackish water. They like bright light and rich substrate.

Broad Leaf Sagittaria

Broad-leaf Sagittaria makes an excellent mid-ground filler. It produces thick clusters of wide, grassy blades that are more rigid than Vallisnerias. They will typically grow to about 8-10 inches tall and, once established, produce runners.

Plants for your Aquarium

Plants for your Aquarium

One of the best things to use in your aquarium is live plants. Not only do they enhance your aquarium, but also remove deadly nitrates from the water. Here is a selection.

Aponogetons Crispus – Large – 15 in.

Transform any aquarium into a beautiful, natural looking aquatic habitat…a true work of art.SeaGarden aquarium decor is an extensive selection of synthetic plants that bring the beauty of the world’s waters to life in your aquarium. Faithfully detailed, and uniquely lifelike, these plants create a compelling underwater aquascape. Save yourself the worry of maintaining real plants that fish like to uproot or eat. SeaGarden decor requires no planting and very little maintenance.

Anubias hastifolia – Small

Anubias hastifolia has waxy, dark green, arrowhead-shaped leaves. Like most Anubias, these are easy to care for and tolerate a wide variety of temperature and ph. They are slow growers and prefer lower lighting and harder water. Anubias are particularly well suited to being rooted onto wood or rock, but may be planted on substrate.

Aponogeton undulatus

Undulatus is similar to its cousin Aponogeton crispus. It is hardy and attractive, displaying full, ruffled foliage and often sending spiked blooms above the waters surface. Like many Aponogeton sp., undulatus will eventually lose its foliage and retreat into dormancy. In good conditions, the bulb should store enough energy to re-sprout after several weeks to begin the growth cycle again.

Treats for KOi and Goldfish

If you keep goldfish or koi they love to have there treats. Natural fruits and vegetables will give them plenty of nutrients and vitamins.Below are some of the best food they can get.

Fishy’s Koi & Goldfish Treats – 2 L
This fish shaped treat contains all natural fruits and vegetables such as citrus fruit, apples, cucumber, carrot, kale, pepper, wheat germ and alfalfa. It has vitamin E to promote and help stimulate your fish’s immune system and added stabilized vitamin C to help combat fish stress related diseases. Even fish love treats. When the water temperature is 50?? F or above, feed as a treat, but do not exceed the amount the fish eat within a few minutes of feeding.

Pond Ten Stix – Floating – 7 lb. – Bag

This nutritionally balanced floating food stick is formulated for all pond fish. The highly digestible formula is specifically designed for koi and goldfish. It contains color enhancers and a stabilized form of vitamin C, to help with wound healing and disease resistance as well as normal bone and gill growth

Shrimp and Krill Fish Fooods

One of the main important parts of keeping an aquarium is the food you feed to your fish. They need to be fed on a regular basis usually once or twice per day. Some of the best fish foods that carry the desired nutrients are shrimp and krill. Below describes some of the sauces of shrimp and krill.

Spirulina-infused brine shrimp are the ultimate food source for fish in both freshwater and saltwater environments. Spirulina provides the valuable plant-component of your fishes??? Diet, while delicious brine shrimp provide the protein as well as lots of natural fatty acids. Rich in vitamins. Trust your fish to the experts at Hikari!

Freeze Dried Brine Shrimp are small and convenient cubes of vitamin rich, pharmaceutically freeze dried brine shrimp prevent over feeding and will not cloud water. Vitamin rich and excellent source of natural fatty acid for your freshwater and marine fish. Hikari Bio Pure FD products never contain artificial colours or preservatives

Freeze Dried Krill is great for turtles, frogs, all larger tropical and marine fishes. This is a superior colour-enhancing treat for larger freshwater or saltwater fish. It is enriched with multi-vitamins to reduce stress and stress related illness. A technologically advanced freeze-drying process maintains original nutrition and flavour. The texture and taste previously only available………

bloodworms for tropical fish

One of the best foods for tropical fish is free dried blood worms.

Freeze Dried Blood Worms is an excellent daily diet or treat for all tropical fish that is free of parasites and harmful bacteria. Enriched with multi-vitamins to reduce stress and stress related illness. The technologically advanced freeze-drying process maintains original nutrition, flavor, and texture previously only available with live blood worms. Oxygen absorbers and nitrogen charging significantly reduce oxidation. Quickly softens when put in water. Hikari’s Bio Pure FD products never contain artificial colors or preservatives. After opening please keep the container out of direct sunlight, high heat or humidity that can cause the contents to degrade rapidly.

Magnetic Aquarium Glass Cleaner

One of the biggest problems with an aquarium is the amount of algae that can adhere to the galss surfaces of the tank. it can be quite a job emptying the tank and removing the algae with a scraper. However there is another solution. its called the Mag Float-350 Magnetic Cleaner for Glass Aquariums. this cleaner has powerful magnets that you can drag from outside the tank. The mag-float on the inside of the tank follows scraping the algae from the inside of the glass. the unique floating feature allows efficient and easy movement around the corners. You will no longer knock decorations or damage coral. the velcro pad remains free of sand and gravel thus preventing scratching of the glass.

For further information on keeping your aquarium clean visit aquariums4u information site.

Aquarium and pet supplies

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For articles and information on aquariums and tropical check out aquariums4u.