How To Setup A Saltwater Tank For Beginners (No Skimmer)

This is a simple step by step guide on how to set up a saltwater aquarium for beginners, without a skimmer. This setup is based on a popular nano saltwater tank which is great for low maintenance. But it's also big enough to fit plenty of corals plus a few small fish. So if you want to know how to set up a saltwater tank, this is the video for you!

Links for everything in this video:

My vlogging equipment

Video

Audio

Sliders

Lighting

Some of these links have an affiliate code - so if you make a purchase, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!

For any commercial enquiries, please send me a PM, contact me via Instagram or leave a comment below.

0:00 How to set up a saltwater tank for beginners
0:25 The tank
0:56 Location
1:39 Rockscape
2:32 Saltwater
3:24 Heater & pump
3:53 Sand
4:30 Filtration
5:36 Lighting
6:08 Complete setup
7:12 Watch next

[AdamUS-jq]

Is it just me or is watching tank setups just so entertaining! Especially saltwater tanks!

[ManSkirtBrew]

Thanks for this! I've been running a 27 gallon saltwater tank for over 3 years with just a hang on back Tetra filter, heater, and powerhead. It's not nearly as complicated as we think!

[artistic_spaz]

Had a fluval for my first tank. Great little set up for an intro to the hobby. I miss the simplicity of it but don't miss the small water volume and the problems that came with that 😉

[Mike-lmtj]

Had this tank on my to buy list for a few weeks now, glad to see you do a video on how easy it is to get started!

[tinchytarantula]

I was the same sticking to my freshwater aquarium but then I looked at my old fluval flex aquarium and turned that from an old freshwater Nano tank into a Nano reef tank and am really enjoying every minute of it

[richmatty]

Tias fluval evo from fragbox corals was amazing

[Sentientmadm]

I want a salt tank but just don’t have the room to set one up right now. You’ve made me feel a lot more comfortable about approaching a salt tank though

[sirLukash]

I have this tank with many 3d printed parts I designed: filter sock holder/holder for simple auto-top off, rear media basket (refugium), refugium light, holder for simple cooling fan and temp probe. Along with upgrade to the pump, lamp and circulator I can grow almost any coral I want. Mike it's great tank to start with and gradually upgrade! Reefing is in some regards easier than fresh water. Taking into consideration that there is a nice market for corals you will grow, this hobby can pay for itself if you don't go into rabbit hole of most expensive and latest :)

[laVeukz]

This is the video I needed something for the UK reefers

[chriscavies]

Hi, great video. I am in the tropical gang (Discus) that is curious about going the marine route. Do you have to remineralise the water, and when doing a water change do you add salt and remineralise again? Also, I have an Ro unit for discus but only using hma aspect of the filter. There is a lot of waste water when producing Ro, what do with the waste?

[glennanderson]

Evening Alex! This is just the film I need - thank you & VBW x

[mbtravel]

Good luck Mike, be patient and enjoy yourself!

[swordsman]

I have this tank and used the Stock light for a long time, and it is a lot better than it seems. I have grown every type of LPS under it and some basic SPS. It not the best light making corals grow fast, but it does the job and keeps them happy. Plus the lid reduces the crap out of evaporation.

[TheOriginalAndBestTim]

Hi Alex, this video made me feel like I could actually set up a saltwater tank myself - and like Mike I have always found the idea interesting but intimidating! Also, I hope you take this as the complement I intend: your voiceover and presentation style really reminds me of the show 'Movies, Games and Videos' from "back when I were a lad" ™

[Sutsamadori]

Can’t wait to the next videos of this series

[absolutezerochill]

Very good! I noticed there was a 5 gallon option for this tank. However, I can't think of any fish that could be in such a small tank. Any suggestions?

[omrigoldfarb]

Im thinking about getting a nano one cause im moving to college and ill have roommate’s so I don’t wanna come in with my big aquarium
Really hope you’ll do a video about what light to choose

[joaopereira]

I had and still have my 75g fresh water but also tried this almost exact marine set up and fully enjoying it

[AJBAdventures]

Perfect timing!
Literally just set up an Evo. 😀
However cheated a bit by nicking some substrate and liverock from my 4 ft tank, for an instant cycle!
Not that I'm impatient or anything 😬

[andrewmiller]

Mike I'm like you, really want salt, solid freshy, so am following along, maybe will get me going. Personally looking at the edge for the few extra litres of water and as with my fresh fluval edge will get the insert for the two chambers for better mechanical and biological filtration. Interested to see upgrades, fortunately already have rodi maker for freshwater(I do mix with seachem equilibrium) so will probably make my own salt water and will probably get an ato for ease of use.