Most of the Earth is ocean, and of all the aquatic environments of this planet, coral reefs are the most environmentally stable and biologically dynamic. Coral reefs can only live and grow where average annual water temperatures are 73º to 77º F; salinity is constant and high; strong sunlight penetrates the shallow, clear water, and dissolved nutrients are very low.

The environment changes little during season changes, year in year out; but the animals and plants endlessly fight for food and space. These elements of existence have created a wonderland of form, color, and behavior, a part we can capture, in small measure, in our home aquarium. The mystery of the tropical seas can be reflected in a small simulated coral reef in one's living room while winter knocks on our doors, we still have a small part of the tropical ocean to look at and enjoy.

Now that we know why certain methods and techniques work and why others fail, and although maintaining a marine tank is not as easy as keeping a freshwater tank, most questions now have answers, and with a little effort, the average fish fancier can be a successful marine aquarist.

This is in no way to say that our freshwater counterparts have it easy. They too had started with nothing but we all started from somewhere! And most of us started with a freshwater tank, and just kept growing from there. Some of us have a freshwater tank or two as well and have the best of both worlds. And, yes, there is a best of both worlds. There are Planted Freshwater tanks that rival reef tanks! It's up to the individual on how far in the hobby they want to evolve and at what cost they are willing to go. The sky is the limit as is the kind of tank people want to keep and what they are happy with. Fresh or salt, we all started from the start. Where that was is up to the individual. Some read and ask lots of questions and when they feel comfortable they start out with a saltwater tank. But from experience most tend to run into more problems with disease and loss of livestock than the people that started and learned from a freshwater tank, and grew from there and evolved to a saltwater tank and to a reef tank. I welcome our freshwater community and we don't think less of a freshwater tank and member and we don't talk down to anyone. This is a hobby that contains water and all people & things wet are welcome :)

With that said, I welcome you to The Fishline where we try and make everyone feel at ease and at home in our friendly community of reef keepers.

Our policy has been and always will be honesty, truth and beyond all, trust. We sell nothing and our favorite products are the products we use, or have used! The advice from our members is free and without strings...