Guides

Setting up a marine aquarium is a delicate technical process that plays a crucial role in the long-term stability and viability of the entire ecosystem. Unlike freshwater fishkeeping, marine aquariums require particular care, as marine organisms are highly sensitive to even small changes in water parameters.

A successful marine aquarium setup relies on the gradual establishment of natural biological filtration through the nitrogen cycle. This process takes several weeks to become fully established and requires a precise, step-by-step approach.

When starting a reef aquarium, choosing the first corals can seem complicated. Soft corals, LPS and SPS corals are three broad categories commonly used in the aquarium hobby to distinguish corals with different structures and requirements.

Some are relatively tolerant and make good choices for a first reef aquarium, while others require greater parameter stability, suitable lighting or stronger water flow.

What are the differences between soft corals, LPS and SPS corals? Which corals are suitable for beginners? Before selecting the first specimens, it is essential to understand their main requirements in order to choose corals suited to the aquarium and the aquarist's level of experience.

Setting up a reef aquarium involves recreating a tropical coral reef ecosystem in a controlled environment. Although technically demanding, this type of project is accessible to beginners provided that it is carefully planned: establishing a suitable budget, choosing the right equipment and selecting hardy species that are biologically compatible with one another. Here are the key points to consider when starting a marine aquarium.