Introduction

First and foremost, we at Marine Designs would like the take the opportunity to welcome you to the aquarium hobby! Our store specializes in both saltwater fish and coral; and our knowledgeable staff is more than happy to answer any questions that you may have if you would like to email us here.

The first step upon setting up your first aquarium is deciding which direction you wish to take in the hobby. Unfortunately choosing either a reef aquarium or a fish only aquarium will limit you on which animals you will be able to house. The main difference between these two types of aquariums is the families of fish with which you will stock them with. Just like all other types of animals, fish are comprised of many different families of individual species – and many have different requirements and needs to help them thrive.

The most important factor to consider when deciding whether to set up a reef tank or a fish only tank is where you want the focus to be. Do you want a more simple fish only aquarium with large beautiful specimens or does a coral reef where you can witness the growth of coral over time and watch a clownfish bathe serenely in an anemone sound more appealing? When you picture the tank set up and completed, do you see yourself owning puffer fish, triggers, eels, and angelfish - or instead do you see smaller specimens: such as starfish, clownfish, shrimp and maybe a small school of brightly colored anthias? This is a very important decision and unfortunately once you head down one of these two paths it is difficult to reverse your steps and take the other fork in the road.