This guide explains the most useful marine aquarium accessories available and how they can benefit both beginner and advanced reef keepers.
Charterhouse Aquatics stocks a huge range of marine aquarium accessories including coral tools, fragging equipment, feeding accessories, aquarium covers, maintenance tools, temperature controllers and specialist reef keeping equipment.
Why Marine Aquarium Accessories Matter
Accessories are designed to:
✔ Improve maintenance routines
✔ Increase aquarium safety
✔ Enhance livestock care
✔ Simplify feeding
✔ Improve coral propagation
✔ Protect fish
✔ Improve monitoring and control
Many accessories are inexpensive but can have a significant impact on the long-term success of a marine aquarium.
Feeding Accessories
Feeding tools help ensure food reaches the intended livestock while reducing waste.
Popular options include:
Coral Feeders
Long feeding pipettes and feeding tubes allow targeted coral feeding.
Benefits include:
- Reduced food waste
- Improved coral nutrition
- Better feeding accuracy
Products such as reef feeding tubes and coral feeders are commonly used for LPS and non-photosynthetic corals.
Feeding Stations
Feeding stations help prevent floating foods from being immediately drawn into overflows and filtration systems.
Benefits:
✔ Reduced waste
✔ Better feeding response
✔ Cleaner aquariums
Seaweed Clips
Herbivorous fish such as tangs and rabbitfish benefit from algae sheets and nori.
Magnetic seaweed clips allow secure placement within the aquarium and encourage natural grazing behaviour.
Coral Propagation Accessories
Coral propagation has become a major part of modern reef keeping.
Several accessories are designed specifically for fragging and coral management.
Frag Racks
Frag racks provide temporary or permanent placement for coral frags.
Benefits include:
✔ Coral organisation
✔ Acclimation areas
✔ Grow-out systems
✔ Easy coral maintenance
Magnetic frag racks are particularly popular due to their flexibility.
Frag Plugs
Frag plugs provide mounting points for coral frags and are available in multiple styles and materials.
Common options include:
- Ceramic plugs
- Natural reef plugs
- Egg crate compatible plugs
- Magnetic mounting systems
Coral Glue and Epoxy
Coral-safe adhesives are essential for securing corals and aquascaping structures.
Common uses:
- Attaching coral frags
- Stabilising rockwork
- Mounting colonies
Modern reef glues cure quickly underwater and are widely used in reef aquariums.
Coral Cutters and Fragging Tools
Specialised cutters allow safe propagation of hard corals.
Common tools include:
- Bone cutters
- Coral scissors
- Precision cutters
These tools are particularly useful for SPS coral maintenance and propagation.
Aquarium Covers and Jump Prevention
Many marine fish are excellent jumpers.
Species commonly known to jump include:
- Wrasses
- Gobies
- Firefish
- Dartfish
Mesh Aquarium Covers
Mesh covers provide protection while maintaining:
- Light penetration
- Gas exchange
- Cooling efficiency
Popular systems include customisable mesh cover kits and feeding portals.
Feeding Portals
Feeding portals provide access for feeding without removing the entire cover.
Benefits:
✔ Convenience
✔ Reduced escape risk
✔ Cleaner feeding routines
Temperature Monitoring and Control Accessories
Temperature stability is critical for marine aquariums.
Digital Thermometers
Provide more accurate readings than traditional glass thermometers.
Benefits:
✔ Easy monitoring
✔ Improved accuracy
✔ Quick problem detection
Several internal and external options are available.
Temperature Controllers
External controllers provide additional protection against heater failures.
Benefits:
✔ Improved safety
✔ Greater temperature stability
✔ Heater redundancy
Temperature controllers are especially popular in reef aquariums.
Water Change Accessories
Water changes remain one of the most important maintenance tasks.
Several accessories simplify the process.
Water Change Kits
Water change systems help transfer water efficiently between mixing containers and aquariums.
Benefits:
✔ Reduced mess
✔ Faster maintenance
✔ Improved convenience
Dedicated water change kits are particularly useful for larger systems.
Collapsible Water Containers
Portable water containers assist with:
- RO water storage
- Saltwater mixing
- Water transport
These are especially useful when space is limited.
Maintenance Tools
Routine cleaning is essential for maintaining a healthy aquarium.
Tweezers and Aquarium Tongs
Long aquarium tweezers allow safe handling of:
- Corals
- Frag plugs
- Food
- Small equipment
Benefits:
✔ Reduced contamination
✔ Easier maintenance
✔ Improved precision
Available in multiple lengths and materials.
Algae Cleaning Tools
Regular glass cleaning helps maintain visibility and reduce algae accumulation.
Popular options include:
- Magnetic cleaners
- Scrapers
- Blade systems
Advanced magnetic cleaners can clean thick glass and remove stubborn algae.
Coral Viewing Lenses
Blue reef lighting can make coral inspection difficult.
Viewing lenses and coral glasses help reveal:
- Natural coral colours
- Coral health
- Tissue condition
These accessories are especially useful for photography and coral selection.
Monitoring and Aquarium Control Accessories
Modern reef aquariums increasingly use monitoring systems.
Floating Fish Traps
Fish traps allow livestock capture without dismantling aquascapes.
Benefits:
✔ Reduced fish stress
✔ Easier livestock removal
✔ Minimal disruption
These are particularly useful for larger reef systems.
Acclimation Kits
Acclimation systems help safely introduce new fish and invertebrates.
Benefits:
✔ Reduced stress
✔ Improved survival rates
✔ Controlled acclimation process
Drip acclimation remains one of the safest methods for marine livestock introduction.
Refugium and Pod Culture Accessories
Many reef keepers maintain copepod populations for:
- Natural feeding
- Biodiversity
- Nutrient processing
Specialised pod breeding accessories are designed to encourage copepod growth and reproduction.
Fragging and Coral Display Accessories
Modern reef aquariums often include dedicated coral display systems.
Examples include:
Frag Trees
Magnetic Frag Displays
Coral Stands
Grow-Out Racks
These accessories help organise coral collections while improving presentation and accessibility.
Safety Accessories
Marine aquariums contain water, electricity and expensive equipment.
Useful safety accessories include:
- Cable management systems
- Controller mounting panels
- Cover clips
- Sensor holders
- Equipment brackets
These help create cleaner and safer installations.
Advanced Reef Accessories
As reef systems become more sophisticated, many aquarists expand into specialist accessories.
Examples include:
Automated Testing Systems
Dosing Tube Holders
Controller Boards
Probe Holders
Supplement Storage Systems
Equipment Mounting Solutions
These accessories help maintain organisation and improve automation.
Accessories Every Beginner Should Own
For most new marine aquariums, the following accessories provide excellent value:
- Digital thermometer
- Seaweed clip
- Feeding pipette
- Aquarium tweezers
- Magnetic algae cleaner
- Water change equipment
- Acclimation kit
These tools simplify maintenance and improve livestock care.
Accessories for Reef Aquariums
Reef keepers often benefit from additional equipment:
- Frag racks
- Coral glue
- Frag plugs
- Coral cutters
- Viewing lenses
- Temperature controllers
- Mesh aquarium covers
These accessories become increasingly useful as coral collections grow.
Accessories for Advanced SPS Systems
Advanced reef aquariums may use:
- Fish traps
- Probe holders
- Automated testing accessories
- Frag grow-out systems
- Controller mounting systems
- Coral inspection tools
These products improve precision and long-term system management.
Final Thoughts
Marine aquarium accessories may seem like optional extras, but many quickly become essential parts of everyday reef keeping. From simplifying maintenance and feeding to improving coral propagation and livestock safety, the right accessories help create a more enjoyable and successful aquarium experience.
Whether you’re setting up your first marine aquarium or managing a mature reef system, investing in quality accessories can save time, improve stability and make routine maintenance significantly easier.
Charterhouse Aquatics offers a comprehensive range of marine aquarium accessories including feeding tools, fragging equipment, aquarium covers, maintenance tools, temperature controllers, coral propagation products and specialist reef keeping accessories from leading manufacturers.
