Chapter 1: Are You Ready to Get a Saltwater Aquarium?

Lifestyle Impacts.

Time Commitment.

Financial Commitment.

Learning Commitment.

Is a Saltwater Aquarium Right for Your Family?

Chapter 2: Designing Your Saltwater Aquarium.

Planning Basics.

Philosophy of the Natural Aquarium.

Minireef or Fish-Only?

What You’ll Need.

What You May Want.

Where to Find Equipment and Supplies.

How to Recognize Quality Saltwater Fish.

Getting Ready.

Chapter 3: Understanding How a Saltwater Aquarium Works.

Physical and Chemical Cycles.

Overview of the Coral Reef Environment.

Let Nature Take Its Course.

Chapter 4 Stocking Your Tank I: Fish.

The Best Home Aquarium Fish.

Getting to Know Fish.

Who Lives with Whom?

Saltwater Fish Families.

Popular Species for Fish-Only Tanks.

Reef-Compatible Fish Species.

Some Fish to Avoid.

Chapter 5: Stocking Your Tank II: Invertebrates.

Invertebrate Groups.

Invertebrate Roles in the Aquarium Community.

Live Rock.

Live Sand.

Utilitarian Invertebrates.

Photosynthetic Invertebrates.

Clownfish Host Anemones.

Nonphotosynthetic Invertebrates.

Seaweeds.

Some Invertebrates to Avoid.

Chapter 6: Stocking Your Tank III: Putting It All Together.

Developing a Stocking Plan.

Some Examples to Get You Started.

Create Your Own Stocking Plan.

Chapter 7: Setting Up Your Tank.

Setting Up a Quarantine Tank.

Basic Setup for a Small Tank.

Accommodating an Anemone.

Setting Up a Larger System.

Acclimating New Arrivals.

Creating a Fish-Only Tank.

Creating a Reef Habitat.

Chapter 8: Keeping Your Aquarium Healthy.

Avoiding Maintenance Headaches.

Feeding Fish.

Feeding Invertebrates.

Water Changes.

Mixing Synthetic Seawater.

Water Tests.

Equipment Maintenance.

The “Hurricane Effect”.

Record Keeping.

Family Aquarium Maintenance Routine.

Chapter 9: Keeping Your Fish and Invertebrates Healthy.

Why Problems Happen.

When Should I Medicate the Fish?

Invertebrate Parasites and Diseases.

Special Considerations for Reef Tanks.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Chapter 10: Your Aquarium as Part of the Family.

Daily Care.

On Vacation.

Relocating.

Appendix A: Useful Resources.

How to Use this Appendix.

Equipment and Maintenance Record.

Specimen Acquisition Record.

Tank Sitter Journal.

Fish Hospital Record.

Saltwater Aquarium Log.

Appendix B: Saltwater Fish and Invertebrates Sold for Home Aquariums.

Appendix C: Glossary.

Appendix D: Additional Saltwater Aquarium Resources.

Periodicals.

Organizations.

Books.

Coloring Page.

Index.