Aquarium keeping has always been one of the most popular hobbies. However, coral aquariums or saltwater reef tanks are becoming increasingly popular among experienced aquarists and new hobbyists nowadays instead of just the regular tank.
For those who love nature, especially the ocean, keeping a reef tank is the best way to take a piece of the ocean with you and add a natural element to your home. If you’re still not sure about setting up a coral aquarium, here are some of the benefits of having one in your house.
What Is A Coral Aquarium?
Before we discuss why you need a coral aquarium in your house, let us first explain briefly what a coral aquarium is.
Also called a reef tank, it consists of fish, corals, and invertebrates– it’s like having a whole carefully balanced ecosystem in a glass box. Not only are the light conditions, water flow, temperature, and water chemistry required to be kept at optimal levels, the inhabitants are also selected for compatibility with each other.
This is in contrast to the basic fish-only aquarium, which only consists of the tank, the filter, and the lighting. Furthermore, this type of set-up may also contain a little live rock, inorganic rocks, imitation corals, and seashells for decoration.
Benefits Of Coral Aquarium In Your Home
There’s a reason many people are addicted to this hobby. Here are some of the benefits of keeping a coral aquarium in your home:
Enhance The Aesthetic Appeal Of Your Home
A coral aquarium is an effective way to bring vibrant colors and life to your home. It serves as an amazing focal point and can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your indoor environment.
With the exotic appearance of corals and fishes, it can surely add personality to any room. Make sure, though, that you strategically place your reef tank such that it complements the rest of the elements in your space.
It Has Health Benefits
It’s not a coincidence that reef tanks are commonly found in hospitals, offices, and other high-stress environments– because they evoke feelings of serenity and can lower stress levels. Studies found that it can reduce stress prior to medical procedures and can improve the appetite of Alzheimer’s patients, and encourage them to eat sufficiently.
We all know how important stress management is for our health, as it can cause a lot of serious medical conditions. Aside from the calming effects of watching your coral aquarium, following a routine while maintaining it also has therapeutic benefits.
In connection with your lower stress levels, you may also feel less anxious, your heart rate and blood pressure will normalize, and you’ll be able to get a good night’s sleep. Ultimately, you’ll feel more invigorated, and your body will have the chance to repair itself.
Your Kids Will Love It
If you have kids, they will love having a coral aquarium in your home. Children nowadays are too exposed to technology and gadgets. So it’s nice to reconnect them with nature somehow and make viewing a reef tank an alternative to playing video games or watching television.
It can be a great learning opportunity for them. You can teach your kids about biology, animal behavior, water chemistry, and caring for nature through your coral aquarium. You can also involve them in maintaining your reef tank so you can teach them about responsibility.
From cleaning the aquarium and keeping everything at optimal levels down to feeding your fish at the proper time, teaching them the importance of meeting these tasks adequately and on time will help them grow up to be responsible adults.
It Is A Fun And Rewarding Hobby
No matter how busy our day-to-day lives get, it is good to have a hobby that can help us relax, recharge, and clear our minds off the responsibilities, demands, and pressures of adult life.
Aquarium keeping as a hobby is a great way to keep in touch with nature and is a fun activity for the whole family. Whether it’s just as simple as observing it together or getting everyone involved in taking care of your reef tank, it is undoubtedly a great way to strengthen your family’s bond.
Final Thoughts
We’ll keep it real: maintaining a coral aquarium in your home can be expensive, and maintenance can be tedious and time-consuming. However, with its beauty and all the other benefits that it can bring to your life, I think we can all agree that it is all worth it.
So if you’ve decided that you’re setting up a reef tank in your home, you should start looking around for supplies, inspiration for tank designs or themes, and information on how to accomplish it successfully.
If you want to buy live corals and fish for your first coral aquarium, check out Pieces of the Ocean today. They also host auctions for amazing corals and sell frag packs so you can stock up on corals for a great price.
Enjoy your new hobby, and remember to do your research for a more rewarding experience!
