5 Tips on How to Start a Saltwater Reef Aquarium

So you want to start a reef tank? Well you are in luck! Youtube exists, and there are about 50 million videos on how to get started. This video isn’t so much a step-by-step how to, but rather some practical tips to think about before you get started. I’ve been in this hobby a really really long time, and this is the top5 things I wish I knew as a beginner.

Music:
Tracks: “Night Cave” “Find the Balance”
License Terms:
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

Video:
Camera information:
Footage was shot with a Canon C100
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS macro
Canon EF MP-E 65mm f/2.8 macro
Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4-4.5 STM IS
Sigma Art 18-35mm f/1.8

Copyright Information:
This video was shot and edited by Tidal Gardens. Tidal Gardens owns all intellectual property rights to this content.

Editing Software License:
Final Cut Pro License Agreement 1. C. - "Title and intellectual property rights in and to any content displayed by or accessed through the Apple Software belongs to the respective content owner."
2. B. – “Sample Content. Title and intellectual property rights in and to any content displayed or accessed through the Apple Software belongs to the respective content owner…Except as otherwise provided, you may use the Apple and third party audio file content (including but not limited to, the built-in sound files, samples and impulse responses)(collectively the "Sample Content"), contained in or otherwise included with the Apple Software on a royalty-free basis, to create your own original soundtracks for your film, video, and audio projects.

[jamesgreen]

As a novice, I found these insights very enlightening.

As a physician, your last comment, never adding what you do not test for, reminded me of something one of my old mentors would have said.

He also had 2 corollaries:

1. Never do a test for something you do not plan to treat.
2. Never do a panel of tests when you only want one. You will start chasing false values and do harm.

Than, you have the wisdom of a good caretaker,
Jim

[doovergod]

I know many people that started with a nano reef and upgraded every couple years. I would say you can start with any size tank and just eventually go up the chain of tanks

[genealameda]

Great advice Than. I took a 25 year absence from the hobby and now it's like a new planet to me everything is so much better. Wish you had done this video 3 years ago when rejoined the hobby.

[christopherm.]

Don't understand the bad remarks and thumbs down. This is honest and absolutely good information.

[CJSAQUARIUMS]

I love this video... I learned along time ago to never take advise from someone who doesn't have a nice tank. Experience outweighs everything else.

[josephpotter]

I am just starting out and have watched countless hours of youtube videos and I have to say this gave me the most optimistic view of starting my tank. Thank you! I plan to start my tank in two months.

[t.regnerus]

One of the most well thought out videos on helping a novice reefer to date I've seen.

[manuelveiga]

When I started this video I had about $200 dollars worth of equipment sitting in my amazon cart... after I finished the video $0.00 in the cart. Patience & research for me (new to this) is the key, thanks for the heads up!

[grantv]

I like this advice. Was in the hobby 10 years ago. Learned a lot and spent a lot. You’re spot on with the narrow tanks. The lengths and heights usually aren’t a problem. It’s that front to back dimension that matters most to me now.
Waiting before buying is also a smart move. You have a long way to go before any livestock should be purchased. Just leave it dry and start compiling equipment that you need. You need an RO/DI unit and make your own water. They’re very easy to install. I’ve installed 3 of them and I’m not a plumber.

Learn what fish are compatible!! This is highly important. Just because you want 3 different types of clownfish and 3 different angels with some damsels mixed in because you love all the colors equally doesn’t mean it’s a smart thing to do. Eventually you won’t have several of those fish as they die from stress or you take some back to the store. If you don’t want to learn, leave the hobby to people who are willing to.
Don’t overstock. The tank is a small box. Too many fish makes it too chaotic and unnatural. It will save you $$ and the fish you do have will be happier and less stressed.
Really think about what corals and fish you want to focus on before you dive in. A lot of stuff is really common and you may get bored with it.
To be honest most people who think they want to do this should just sit down and start compiling an equipment list along with prices. Once added up you will weed out 90% or better from ever starting. And that’s just an equipment list. Not materials or livestock. People who study it and read forums and books on it are more likely to have success. Especially if they’re still passionate about it after the initial newness has worn off.

You ready don’t need to get a 120 gal IMO. Salt is expensive too. Nano tanks are popular and can work if taken care of. Just start slowly and slowly gain confidence for more.

You have to learn what’s using what elements. Some demand much higher calcium than others and then even more once they grow larger.
LEDs will help keep electric bills down much better than halides of the old days. But even a modest tank may raise your electric bill 20, 30, maybe $50 a month. No matter where you’re at youll probably be in that 20 to 50 range for most tanks. Minimize electrical demand if you can.

[Ethaneman]

Great advice! I started in this hobby in the early 80’s and left it 2017. I’ve missed it ever since and I have been planning to get back in. I’m still working on what tank I will get so this was helpful to adding clarity to my planning. Thanks!

[lawiez]

Great advice, went with a 110g for first tank! Also, DELAY DELAY DELAY! Let that initial excitement die down to a simmer before purchasing anything! Do the research, shop around, and you'll end up much more satisfied with the equipment you chose and the price you paid.

Know what you need, and why you are getting it. Don't let the LFS staff sell you stuff that you don't fully understand/research beforehand. Calcium reactor? No thanks, I think I'll keep things simple in the beginning with manual dosing (part of the fun, and gives me a chance to get in tune with my tank). Chiller? Not now, I want to do more research on the upper range of temperatures for the fish and corals I want to keep. These are two examples of how I made my choices when getting my equipment. If I get them in the future (probably might, how cool is the calcium reactor right?), it will be because I have done the research, and understand how it achieves my objectives.

[robertbell]

Than, without a doubt this is by far the BEST video not only for folks looking to build a reef tank but any tank. So much good and correct info!

[octapusdude]

It's a discipline not a television.
A way of life some might say ...
Been doing it since 92.

Passion is greatly rewarded with this hobby.
Attention to details has never been so important!
Satisfaction, when you're on top of it.
Kinda like Everest...
Discovery,
always something to learn.
Still have my old Tunze powerheads. lol

[danlamont]

"Here's my tips for beginers. Buy a $2000 tank the size of your living room to save you money"

[EhDewd]

"Someone who was in this hobby 15 years ago, who is just now getting into it, would have a lot of catching up to do." Haha that's me! Gees, the options and equipment just blew up!

[fishfan]

Meanwhile there's poor me making my 10 gallon somehow work 😂

[lisathewhitewolf]

That first tip is spot-on. This time around I went with a 150g that is four feet long, with the extra length front-to-back, and I adore it!!

[dantruong]

I am a really experienced aquarist, I never considered the 24" x 24" lighting consideration. GREAT video.

[adisonlandon]

This is by far one of my favorite fishtube channels, great to-the-point-info. Thanks!

[Literarycat]

I wish I had seen your video three months ago, before two tank crashes and about $300 down the proverbial drain. I'm now on a three-month period of cycling sea water with live rock and sea sand, and putting together a competent refugium tank. It's slow going, but it's going in the right direction. thanks for the video. keep it up. people are learning from you.