When people hear the word "coral reef", the ocean and the breathtaking land formations in the seabed dominate their thoughts.
Coral reefs in household aquariums do not come to mind for one reason - according to popular belief, they are impossible to have.
But what they don't understand is that with the right attitude, coupled with passion and perseverance, coral reefs and other marine life can not only be put inside aquariums, but can also flourish like they would in the ocean.
If you happen to be a scuba diver, then you probably know what underwater wildlife looks like.
The colorful fish, the white sand, the clear water, and the coral reefs - these are some things that cannot be found at the local pet store.
A coral reef aquarium, on the other hand, contains everything you can find in an undersea haven.
Well, plus all the filters, synthetic sand, and optional artificial decoration, of course.
Nevertheless, it's the best possible copy of the marvelous underwater flora and fauna you can get.
Setting up a coral reef aquarium is a sophisticated, but nonetheless rewarding, hobby.
It requires many things to get the right ecosystem going.
From costly filtration systems to expensive synthetic sand and lightings, these are all vital for the aquarium's inhabitants to survive.
The filtration system to maintain clean water and an overall healthy environment, the sand to give the coral reefs a better chance of surviving, and of course the lighting the to add radiance to the setting.
  Reef aquariums require a large variety of organisms to filter the water properly.
A mini reef is an aquarium containing many of the fish, corals and invertebrates that can be found in the earth's coral reefs.
When properly set up and maintained, reef aquariums alive with fish, coral, and invertebrates are well worth the extra effort.
When you decide to set-up a coral reef aquarium, be wary of the fact that though it may be jaw-dropping in appearance, it takes a lot of effort to maintain and keep its inhabitants healthy.
Coral reef aquariums are unique as opposed to ordinary saltwater aquariums due to the presence of the corals, this by itself makes it a cut above the rest.
  Coral reef aquariums are best suited for aquarium lovers who have been involved with aquariums for a long time, because to maintain a vibrant aquarium, one must have the feel for taking care of the inhabitants, something that is acquired through experience.