Getting Started with Saltwater Aquariums: Setting Up Your First Reef Tank

Saltwater aquariums make gorgeous additions to any home. The fish are vivid and beautiful, and you can choose coral and decor that gives the impression of peeking into an authentic ocean world. Setting up a saltwater tank is more complicated and requires more work than a freshwater aquarium. But it's definitely achievable as long as you do your research first. The time you spend putting your first reef tank together will pay off in the long run with the beautiful ambiance your tank brings to your home.

Many aquarium owners are particularly interested in nano reef tanks. This is a smaller aquarium, typically under 40 gallons. These tanks cost less and fit easily in your home's available space. However, it will take more effort to keep the water stable and healthy since small changes to the environment (like an increase in ammonia levels) can impact a small tank much faster than a large one.

Equipment for Your Tank

To set up your tank, you first need to gather your equipment. Some beginners may choose an all-in-one nano setup to make the process easier. The Coralife BioCube Aquarium, for example, has vibrant LED lighting for healthy corals and makes a great starter aquarium.

Even if you choose an all-in-one system, make sure it has all the important components, including the following:

1. Lighting

Corals depend on the right quantity and quality of light to survive. Reef-capable LED lighting should be intense and shifted more to the blue spectrum. If you only keep soft corals, lower light intensities will be sufficient. Keep in mind that sudden changes in intensity or color spectrum might temporarily cause your corals to shrink or dim the intensity of their color.

If you don't choose an all-in-one starter aquarium, the Coralife Seascape SMART LED Light Fixture is a great option for tanks with low- to moderate-light-requiring corals. It mimics natural environments, dims in 1% increments, and has a programmable 24/7 scheduling option.

The Coralife Marine Clip-On LED Light is a good choice for smaller aquariums up to 20 gallons in size.

2. Filtration

A good filtration system is vital for a nano reef tank. Corals are more sensitive than fish and invertebrates to nitrates, phosphates, and other toxins. Your filtration system will likely include a good filter, protein skimmer, and refugium/sump. A refugium is a separate, smaller tank or chamber that grows beneficial macroalgae to help absorb nitrates and phosphates. It's basically an extra means of biofiltration.

Try to incorporate biological, chemical, and mechanical filtration if you can.

Some filter options may include:

  • Canister filters, which work with almost any type of tank

  • Wet/dry trickle filters

  • Power filters that hang on the side of the tank

You also want to purchase a protein skimmer. These remove dissolved organic compounds from your water before your biological filter processes it. They can be a big help in keeping your water quality high.

A few protein skimmer options from Coralife include:

3. Miscellaneous

Don't forget these other important items for your tank.

  • Heater: A small nano reef tank may only need one heater. Larger tanks will likely need more than one. Wait to plug this in until your tank is full of water, or it might shatter or overheat.

  • Thermometer: Check the temperature every day to ensure it's in the right range for your corals and fish. The Coralife Digital Thermometer has an easy-to-read digital display and attaches to the side of the tank.

  • Water test kit: It's important to test your water at least weekly (but you should test daily for the first month). A test kit helps you monitor ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, and pH. Tanks with live rock and coral should also have test kits to monitor calcium and phosphate.

  • Refractometer or hydrometer: This will check your water's salinity and gravity. It's worth investing more to get a highly accurate one. The Coralife Deep Six Hydrometer has a built-in base, so you can rest it on a countertop for salt readings.

  • Substrate: These come in all different colors and densities. Live sand is often the best choice for nano reef tanks. It has bacteria and tiny invertebrates that help with your water quality, but it looks like regular sand. You can find it online or at a pet store.

Live Rock Is Important

Live rock is vital for a healthy saltwater aquarium. It provides shelter for fish and can help cut down on tank aggression by giving fish different "territories" to call their own.

Try to aim for one pound of live rock per gallon of water. Some aquarium owners like to clean or cure the rock before adding it to the water (especially if the rock smells like rotten fish). But if you haven't added anything live to your tank yet, you can just add the rock to the water and let your filtration system clean the water before adding fish or other animals. Use your water testing kit to make sure the levels have stabilized before adding animals.

Coral Choices for a Smaller Tank

For nano reef tanks in particular, make sure you choose corals that will thrive in a smaller tank. Some examples include:

  • Zoanthids (hardy, soft coral that can be added first)

  • Nepthea (add after your tank is stable and established)

  • Xenia (add after your tank is stable and established)

  • Cladiella (add after your tank is stable and established)

Setting Up Your Saltwater Tank for the First Time

Choose a permanent location for your tank so you don't have to move it later. Look for a location where people in your home can easily see it, but the aquarium won't get too hot or experience big temperature changes that could hurt your fish and corals. A cool basement, for example, might be a nice location if you have a good tank heater. Your tank should be at least five inches from the wall so you can attach external components to the back.

Steps for setting up your components and tank decor

Once your aquarium is in its location and on a stand, begin adding components. If you're using an all-in-one aquarium, follow the aquarium's setup instructions.

  • While the tank's empty, clean it with fresh water and a cloth to remove dust or dirt. Don't use chemical cleaners.

  • Add the electrical components, such as installing the filtration system, sump or protein skimmer, circulation pump, or powerhead. Follow the instructions that come with each component as you install it.

  • Install the heater. (Don't turn it on until your tank is full of water.)

  • Pour in about two to three inches of live sand.

  • Pour in the saltwater, filling your tank about a third of the way to check for leaks. Then slowly fill your tank all the way if there's no leak.

  • Add a water conditioner for any metals or chlorine that might be in your water.

  • Run a wet test by plugging each component into a powerstrip one at a time. You also want to test for a power outage by turning off the power strip and ensuring nothing overflows. Turn off the electrical components again before proceeding to the next step.

  • Test the salinity of the water with a hydrometer or refractometer. If low, add small amounts of salt mix to bring the salinity higher. If too high, remove some water and add freshwater to lower the salinity. Wait at least half an hour before testing again to allow the salt or freshwater to mix thoroughly.

  • Now turn your electrical components back on and let the water circulate for about 24 to 48 hours. After two days, make sure the water's at the right temperature and the gravity level is correct.

  • Place the live rock into the aquarium.

  • Give your filtration system a few days to clear the water again.

  • Add your lighting while waiting for the water to clear.

  • Use a water test kit to check your nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia levels daily. Once ammonia and nitrite levels aren't measurable and nitrates are in safe ranges, you can add the remaining decor to your tank that you plan to use and slowly start adding live species.

Adding your invertebrates

Once the tank is fully cycled and the water is stable, you can add reef-safe invertebrates that thrive in smaller tanks, like peppermint shrimp, small hermit crabs, and snails. The hardiest ones should be added first as you watch to see how your water adjusts.

You can also add one or two corals at this time; just make sure you choose species compatible with smaller tanks. The first ones you add should be hardy varieties, like Zoanthids. Nepthea, Xenia, and Cladiella can be added once your tank has stabilized.

Adding your fish

When choosing fish for your nano tank, select ones that won't grow too large for your tank and are reef-safe. Some good options include anemonefish, fairy wrasses, gramma, cardinals, A. guttato and A. wheeleri gobies, and the like. But make sure the species you choose are also compatible with each other.

Only add one small fish at a time, monitoring your coral and the water quality, including ammonia levels, before adding another fish. For saltwater tanks, a good rule of thumb is one inch of fish for every five gallons of water. And take care not to overfill your tank.

You need to acclimatize your new fish before putting them in your tank. Follow these steps:

  • Set up a clear container on the floor next to your tank and connect it to the tank with airline tubing.

  • Pour in the fish and the water that came with it into the container.

  • Attach a flow-control valve at the container-end of the tubing and adjust so there are about two to three drips per second going into your container.

  • Cover the container with a towel and let the water drip until the container has doubled in water volume.

  • Remove about half the water and set it dripping again.

  • Once it's doubled again, you can move your fish over.

Do Your Research When Setting Up Your Aquarium

Once your aquarium is set up, you need to perform regular maintenance to keep the environment stable and healthy. This includes the following daily and weekly activities.

Daily aquarium duties

  • For the first month, check your water quality with test kits every day. After that, you can check weekly unless adding new fish or equipment. Remember: once you open any bottles in your water test kit, you need to replace them in a year.

  • Check the salinity daily and add heated freshwater as needed. In a saltwater tank, water evaporates and leaves salt behind, so you need to add freshwater to balance it out.

  • Check the water temperature daily.

  • Feed your fish every day, scattering the food over a wide area. Research each species' food requirements or talk to a veterinarian or pet store professional. Some fish need twice-daily feedings.

  • Check on your fish and invertebrates every day. Sick fish may need to be quarantined in a separate small tank with complete filtration.

Weekly aquarium activities

  • Use a gravel or sand siphon to remove water and debris from within your substrate weekly (but don't disturb bottom dwellers!). Replace it with a saltwater mix designed for reef tanks, or make your own.

  • Inspect your filter media weekly to make sure it's not stopped up with debris. You can rinse it in the water you collected from siphoning (to keep beneficial bacteria). Replace the media when it starts to fall apart.

  • Scrub the aquarium walls weekly to remove algae buildup.

  • After the first month, use your test kits to check your water quality weekly. If you add new fish or equipment, you'll need to go back to checking daily again for another month.

Saltwater Tanks Are Well Worth the Effort

Saltwater tanks are a mesmerizing addition to your home. Sure, setting up a saltwater aquarium takes time and effort. But if you do your research, the process will go much smoother. And once the tank is set up, you'll love watching the beautiful fish swim around your captivating corals.

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