Extreme Corals News and Updates

Evolution of Reef Keeping

With technology advancing and a better understanding of coral biology reef keeping as a whole has changed. Here we will talk about popular specimens, lights, and more.

Are you up to date with all evolutions of reef keeping has seen over the years? Read along to see what changes have come over the years!

by scott Shiles • March 09, 2023

SPS Coral Care, Soft Corals Care, Reef Tank Maintenance, Reef Tank Equipment, LPS Coral Care, Corals, Zoanthids Coral Care


Exploring the evolution of reef tanks over the years and the corals that are commonly kept in them. Reef tanks have become a popular addition to many homes and businesses, with people seeking to replicate the beauty and diversity of coral reefs in their own living spaces. Over the decades, reef tanks have evolved considerably, with new technologies and a better understanding of coral biology allowing for more successful and sustainable aquariums.

The 1970s and 1980s marked the beginning of the modern reef tank hobby. At the time, saltwater aquariums were primarily used for keeping fish, but hobbyists began to experiment with keeping live corals and other invertebrates in their tanks. The tanks of this era were relatively simple, with low-tech filtration and lighting systems. Corals were often collected from the wild, and the focus was more on the aesthetics of the tank than the welfare of the organisms inside.

In the 1990s, reef tanks began to experience a surge in popularity, thanks in part to advances in technology that made it easier to maintain a healthy and thriving ecosystem. Protein skimmers, which remove organic waste from the water column, became more common, as did high-powered metal halide lighting systems that allowed for better coral growth. Hobbyists also began to recognize the importance of maintaining stable water chemistry and the role of beneficial bacteria in breaking down waste products.

The early 2000s saw the rise of LED lighting technology, which provided an energy-efficient and customizable way to light reef tanks. This allowed for a wider range of coral species to be kept in home aquariums, including more light-sensitive species. Additionally, the use of live rock, which is porous rock taken from the ocean that provides a habitat for beneficial bacteria and other organisms, became more popular, as it helped to establish a more stable and diverse ecosystem in the tank.

In recent years, the focus in the reef tank hobby has shifted towards sustainability and conservation. There is now a greater emphasis on captive breeding of corals and other marine organisms, which reduces the impact on wild populations. In addition, advances in water testing and monitoring equipment have made it easier for hobbyists to maintain optimal water chemistry and identify potential issues before they become a problem.

So, what types of corals are commonly kept in reef tanks? There are a wide variety of coral species that can be kept in home aquariums, with varying levels of difficulty in care. Some of the most popular coral species include:

  • Soft corals: These are the easiest corals to care for and come in a range of shapes and colors. They do not have a hard skeleton and are generally less demanding in terms of lighting and water flow. Popular specimens include Leather Corals, Mushroom Corals, Ricordia Mushroom, Discosoma Mushrooms, Clove Polyps
  • LPS (Large Polyp Stony) corals: These corals have a hard skeleton and larger polyps than SPS corals. They require moderate to high lighting and water flow and are generally considered to be intermediate in terms of difficulty.  Popular specimens include Hammer Coral, Torch Coral, Acanthophyllia, Scolymia, Acanthastrea, Bubble Coral, Cynarina, Goniopora, Indophyllia, Wellsophyllia, Frogspawn, Trachyphyllia, Candy Cane, Echinophyllia and Blastomussa
  • SPS (Small Polyp Stony) corals: These corals have a hard skeleton and small polyps. They require high lighting and water flow and are considered to be the most difficult to care for.   Popular specimens include Acropora, Montipora, Hydnophora, Pocillopora, Stylophyora, and Porites
  • Zoanthids: These are a type of soft coral that come in a wide range of colors and patterns. They are relatively easy to care for and can be a good choice for beginners.

In conclusion, reef tanks have come a long way over the decades, with advances in technology and a greater understanding of coral biology allowing for more successful and sustainable aquariums. Today's reef tanks are a testament to the beauty and diversity of coral reefs, and the hobby is likely to continue to evolve and grow in the years to come.


overall rating:
my rating: log in to rate
How to acclimate Corals to your Reef Tank
What is a Protein Skimmer? Best Types of Skimmers Available and their use in a Reef Tank

Please log in to leave a comment.

Recent Posts

Comparison of Acanthophyllia, Indophyllia, and Cynarina Corals in Reef Aquariums
Shipping live Corals
Aquarium Bliss: Discover the Best Corals for Beginner
Coral Diseases in Reef Tanks
10 Common Mistakes Beginners Make in the Reef-Keeping Hobby
Understanding the Distinction Between Hard and Soft Aquarium Corals
Exploring the Enigmatic Bounce Type Mushrooms: Care Requirements in the Coral Reef Hobby
A Guide to Understanding and Caring for Lobophyllia and Symphyllia Corals in Your Reef Tank
Care and Requirements of Keeping Xenia and Pulsing Xenia in a Reef Tank
Exploring The Most Popular Types Of Acropora
Fragging Zoanthids and Palythoas technique, equipment and method. Be extremely careful when doing this
Reef Tanks-A WINDOW TO ANOTHER WORLD
Why may it be a good idea to have a low level of Nitrates in a Coral Reef Tank?
Types of Chemical Filtration to use in Reef Tank
Trying to decide between a Large vs Small vs Nano Reef?
How to Care for Leptoseris in a Reef Tank
How to care for Mycedium in a Reef Tank
How to Care for Micromussa in Reef Tank
How to Care for Seriatopora in a Reef Tank
Top Invertebrates and clean up crew to add to a Reef Tank

Corals

Understanding the Distinction Between Hard and Soft Aquarium Corals
Exploring The Most Popular Types Of Acropora
How to Care for Leptoseris in a Reef Tank
How to Care for Micromussa in Reef Tank
How to Care for Seriatopora in a Reef Tank
Top Invertebrates and clean up crew to add to a Reef Tank
SCUBA DIVING AND REEF TANKS
OG Bounce Mushroom popularity and introduction to the hobby
The Three Main Types of Reef Tank Filtration
Water parameters of a Reef Tank and the chemicals that need to be added in order to maintain system
Purchasing Large Coral Colonies vs Frags for your reef tank
Feeding Different Types of Corals in a Reef Tank and the best foods to use
Purchasing Live Coral online and the most popular LPS, SPS, Soft Corals, and Zoanthids in the hobby. The degree of difficulty of each type and the lighting need for them to thrive
Evolution of Reef Keeping
How to acclimate Corals to your Reef Tank
Joys of Reefkeeping
How to Frag Corals growing in your Reef Tank
Examples of Fish to put in a Coral Reef Tank
How to Care for Bounce Mushroom in a Reef Tank
How to Care for Toadstool Leather in a Reef Tank

Categories

Corals
LPS Coral Care
Reef Tank Equipment
Reef Tank Maintenance
Soft Corals Care
SPS Coral Care
Zoanthids Coral Care
all

Archives

October, 2023
September, 2023
August, 2023
July, 2023
June, 2023
May, 2023
April, 2023
March, 2023
February, 2023 more archive dates
archive article list

For more information visit: additional resources