The algae that live inside corals and invertebrates, and even inside the lips (mantle) of many clams, are called symbiotic algae. Although they never receive much recognition in reef tank literature, they are of utmost importance to us, because our corals and invertebrates would not survive for very long without them.

Symbiotic Algae, or Zooxanthellae, live in a harmonious relationship with their host, and provide the host with nutrients in the form of the algae's metabolic processes. The relationship between the host and the symbiont is both chemical and biological, allowing both to cope with the rather low nutrient level around natural reefs.

Zooxanthellae microadriatica, the most commonly found symbiotic algae is a photosynthesizing algae that requires strong light to do so. Because we know from the lighting chapter that this can be done with 5500K degree metal halide lighting, no hobbyist should have problems keeping Zooxanthellae thriving, and their corresponding corals in healthy looking shape. Light however is not the only factor to be considered. Granted, Zooxanthellae will do fine, but corals also uptake nutrients directly from the water. Providing these extra nutrients is, as a result, an additional requirement and task.

You are probably already aware of the need to use a trace element mixture to supplement the water with nutrients that are depleted by many processes taking place in the tank. There are a few others that need to be added as well: micro nutrients and specialized supplements such as strontium, molybdenum and iodine. These supplements can be obtained from companies marketing reef aquarium products that were developed for the reef, and not for the fish-only tank. Two such companies are Coralife and Thiel*Aqua*Tech. You may wonder why the same company names keep being repeated in this book. The reasons are obvious: those companies make products that are designed for the reef, were brought to market after reef tanks had become a reality, and are of very good to excellent quality. If these companies made the effort to develop products for the totally different type of tank that the reef tank is, they deserve to be brought to your attention, not only because of the effort they made, but because you should be aware where you can get the products you will need to keep your reef tank in healthy condition.

Although a great number of invertebrates can survive for extended periods of time without symbiotic algae, corals cannot because they are not able to derive enough nutrients from the water, especially in a tank. Providing the tank with both the required amount of light and the necessary nutrients is therefore a very important part of keeping the tank. Keeping a reef aquarium involves a lot more than just going to a pet shop, buying corals and placing them in the tank. You must care for them for as long as you have them, and the better you care for them the longer you "will" have them. Compare the work required to what you would do to a new car that you want to keep in top shape: you not only put in gas, change oil, change air filters, oil filters, add water, wash it, polish it, but you also change transmission fluid, brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid, inflate the tires, change tires, change brake pads, etc. Similarly, all the maintenance tasks outlined for the reef tank are necessary as well, if you plan on keeping the animals you have for a long time.

Algae are important to the tank in many ways. Macro-algae clean up the water by removing mineralized compounds and releasing oxygen. Symbiotic algae ensure the survival and growth of your corals and invertebrates.

As such algae deserve a much larger part of your attention, and should be cared for by providing them with the nutrients they, too, require.

Micro-algae can be a problem. Follow the steps recommended in this book and you should not have to cope with this hard to eliminate variety. Remember, in the case of micro-algae prevention is the easiest route. A good water management system should, however, spare you from their appearance.

A LAST WORD...

I hope you have enjoyed this 7^th completely rewritten edition of The Marine Fish and Invert Reef Aquarium. This book has been extremely successful, having sold over 50,000 copies already, and it is still going strong. Many hobbyists have called to tell us they liked the content of the first printings a lot, mainly because the book cleared up a lot of misunderstanding surrounding reef aquariums. We thank them for the time they took to let us know.

Hopefully this new edition will also have greatly reduced the number of typographical errors that had slipped into the previous ones. We apologize to those holding such copies.

March 1990

Many thanks to Sarah for her understanding during the rewriting of this manuscript.

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        Yes, please send me 1 gallon of Kalkwasser, 1 gallon of Reef KH, 4
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