Reef Aquarium for Beginners

Reef Aquarium for Beginners: Complete Guide

The reef aquarium might be a good selection for novices if it is set up appropriately. It will require more work than a usual freshwater aquarium, but there is no need to be an expert to start one.

The main idea is to provide stability in water. Do not hurry up, put too many fish into the tank, or purchase complicated corals at once. The ideal beginner reef aquarium requires starting with a little tank, regular testing of the water, and gradual steps.

It is much easier for novices to have big tanks because the water conditions are stable in them. Small tanks are characterized by their instability in conditions due to evaporation of the water, leftover food, and increase in temperature.

What Is a Reef Aquarium?

The reef aquarium is the aquarium that is filled with saltwater containing fish, corals, live rock, bacteria, and little creatures from the sea. It is made to represent the fragment of oceanic reef in the house.

The main difference between a normal fish tank and a reef aquarium is that a reef aquarium contains corals. The corals require proper illumination, clean water, water flow, and a stable level of saltiness.

The reef tank works just like an ecosystem. The fish produce organic waste, bacteria degrade the organic matter, filters filter out particles, and water exchange ensures the cleanliness of the tank. When all elements work properly, the tank gets better.

Choose the Right Tank Size First

For novices, it would be better to choose a tank of 20-40 gallons of volume. Such a tank has sufficient water volume to keep the parameters stable, but it is not difficult to keep it at home.

A too-small tank may be cheap, but it is difficult to keep stable conditions in it. In such tanks, it can be more rapidly heated, more rapidly its salinity will be changed, and waste products will accumulate more rapidly.

Before buying the tank, pay attention to the following factors:

• The size of the available space
• Stability of the floor/stand to support the tank
• Proximity of the tank to the sockets
• Presence of the direct sunlight on the tank
• Budget for aquarium equipment, salt, test kits, and fish
• Time available for maintenance per week

Place the aquarium away from windows, heaters, air conditioning systems, and sunlight. This way, you will protect your reef setup from temperature fluctuations and algae growth.

Essential Equipment for a Beginner Reef Aquarium

You do not have to purchase all reef products immediately. Start with the basic equipment, which will help you manage the water conditions, its temperature, lighting, and circulation.

A protein skimmer is also useful, particularly if you have many fish and coral in the aquarium. It ensures that waste is taken out of the water before it gets broken down. But it should not replace regular cleaning and testing of water.

Use Purified Water Instead of Untreated Tap Water

Water used can affect the success of your reef tank. Many newbies prefer using RO/DI water, or reverse osmosis and deionized water.

The advantage of this type of water is that it is very clean because of the removal of unwanted minerals, chemicals, and impurities. Unwanted impurities can cause algae growth and affect the water quality in general.

Tap water may look clean, but it has substances that are harmful to corals and saltwater fish. The quality of tap water also varies from place to place.

Using purified water helps you control your reef aquarium right from the start.

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters for Beginners

It is okay to be unable to obtain perfect figures on a daily basis. The main goal here is stability.

Fish and corals cannot endure rapid change. Thus, it is better to have the proper parameters than to constantly make rapid adjustments to meet certain requirements.

Conducting water testing frequently and especially during the first months of using it is crucial. Do not make any major adjustments and do not add too many substances to your water at once.

Step-by-Step Reef Aquarium Setup for Beginners

Step 1: Place the Aquarium in a Stable Location

Find an even surface that can bear the full weight of the tank, rocks, sand, and equipment inside of it, as well as water.

Try to avoid exposing your aquarium to direct sunlight. Sunlight leads to algal blooms and an increase in the temperature of your water. Also, you should not put it next to any heating devices, like air conditioners, or in places close to doors and traffic.

Such a location will help you maintain your aquarium easier.

Step 2: Add Rock and Sand

Use dry reef rock, live rock, or a combination of both types of rocks. These rocks provide your aquarium with a natural reef appearance and also form hideouts for the fish.

Arrange the rocks in such a way that water can flow freely in between the rocks. Do not arrange a rock wall along the rear panel since it can form a barrier trapping dirt and making it difficult to clean.

Strive to design caves, open areas, and ledges on which corals will eventually be positioned. Ensure that the rocks are firmly in place before adding water to the aquarium.

Step 3: Mix Saltwater Properly

Use distilled water and a quality salt mix that is designed specifically for marine aquariums. First mix the salt in a separate container.

Ensure that the salt has dissolved entirely and then measure the salinity using a refractometer or other salt test kit. Also, ensure that the temperature of the water is similar to that in the aquarium.

Never add dry salt directly into an aquarium filled with fish and corals.

Step 4: Install Filtration, Heater, Light, and Water Flow

Place the heater, filter, powerhead, and reef lights before adding fish and corals. Wait until the setup starts working properly for a couple of days.

The heater should maintain constant water temperature. The filter and powerhead must work well and stir water inside the tank, respectively.

Strong water currents should not flow straight to one place. Most corals appreciate even distribution of water circulation throughout the aquarium.

Step 5: Cycle the Reef Aquarium Before Adding Fish

Cycling is probably the most important step for a beginner who sets up a reef aquarium. It promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria inside the tank.

Bacteria decompose dangerous waste products in the water. Initially, ammonia gets produced, and bacteria transform ammonia to nitrites. Then nitrites are transformed to nitrates by another kind of bacteria.

It is better to perform a fishless cycle because fish should not be added into the toxic water.

During the cycling period:

• Add an appropriate amount of ammonia source or bacteria starter product.
• Keep testing for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate regularly.
• Wait until ammonia levels become zero.
• Wait until nitrite becomes zero too.
• Add fish only when your water parameters prove that your tank is prepared for it.

Please, do not hurry with this phase. It might take several weeks to complete a cycling process of a reef aquarium. It is necessary to wait for this stage since it allows you to secure your future fish and corals.

Add Fish Slowly After Cycling

When your tank finishes a cycling process, start slowly adding fish. Avoid adding a large number of fish, shrimp, snails, and corals at the same time.

Begin by adding just one small and peaceful fish. Allow the aquarium to settle before you add another fish. Each fish produces waste products, which means the tank requires sufficient time to grow bacteria that will be able to handle the waste.

Good choices for beginners might be clownfish, gobies, firefish, and many other peaceful saltwater fish compatible with the size of your aquarium.

Before purchasing any fish, ensure that you know:

• Its adult size
• Its feeding requirements
• Its behavior
• If it is coral-safe
• If it can co-exist with your current fish
• Its space requirements

Never choose fish based on their attractiveness at the store. Some fish require huge tanks.

Choose Beginner Corals for a Saltwater Aquarium

Corals suitable for beginners should be resilient, easy to maintain, and resistant to minor fluctuations in the environment. Most soft corals are recommended for beginners who plan on setting up a coral aquarium.

Starting off with small coral frags is recommended as well. Coral frags are small pieces of corals that have the potential of growing over time. In addition, coral frags are cheaper and easier to put into your new reef tank.

Here are some recommended beginner corals.

Mushroom Corals

Mushroom corals are one of the popular beginner corals. Several species of mushroom corals survive under low light and gentle water flow.

Mushroom corals are attractive, easy to obtain, and most of the time thrive under stable conditions. However, you should be careful since mushroom corals can overgrow in time, hence providing them with enough space.

Leather Corals

Another type of beginner coral is leather coral. They can bring height and motion to your reef tank.

Toadstool-style leather corals are preferred by many reef aquarists because of their beauty and resilience. Give enough room around them since they affect other corals.

Zoanthids and Button Polyps

The Zoanthids and button polyps are colorful types of corals that are grown in clusters. They can be used to brighten up the appearance of your fish tank.

Though these types are usually easy for starters, you should be careful while handling them. When working with them, use gloves and avoid touching your eyes.

Green Star Polyps

The Green Star Polyps can give the effect of bright green colors moving in the aquarium. They are easy to breed, though they can grow at an alarming rate.

It will be better to put them on a separate rock, as they can cover the whole reef construction.

Xenia or Pulsing Soft Corals

The Xenia, or pulsing soft corals, can bring life and movement into the aquarium. Such types are good for starters, as they can grow fast in a good environment.

But fast-growing corals can easily cover the whole rock and occupy all the space.

Do Not Add a Large Clean-Up Crew Too Early

The cleaning team usually consists of snails, shrimps, crabs, and other tiny animals that feed on algae and leftover food.

This cleaning team may be handy, but for novices, it is better to use it properly by adding it gradually. A new reef aquarium cannot provide a sufficient amount of algae and natural food for a big cleaning team.

If the amount of food is insufficient, the cleaning team members may die of starvation.

So, begin with a small cleaning team and add more if needed. Do this when the aquarium is completely cycled and some algae and/or leftover food start appearing.

Simple Weekly Reef Aquarium Care Routine

Maintaining a reef aquarium is easy when you create a certain routine. This will help you to prevent future difficulties by performing simple activities.

Daily Tasks

• Check water temperature
• See if all equipment works: filter, heater, pumps, lights
• Observe fish for stress, strange behavior, diseases
• Examine corals to see if they open properly
• Add fresh purified water in place of the evaporated one
• Feed fish gently; do not leave leftovers

Weekly Tasks

• Test the salinity
• Test for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate
• Test the alkalinity and calcium as soon as the corals start growing
• Clean the aquarium glass
• Empty the protein skimmer, if you have one
• Test the water flow from pumps and powerheads
• Make a small water change if necessary

Monthly Tasks

• Clean the pumps and powerheads
• Check heaters, tubing, and electrical equipment
• Observe coral growth and make sure there is enough room for the corals
• Change the filter media if necessary
• Review your stocking list before purchasing new livestock

Common Reef Aquarium Mistakes Beginners Should Avoid

Adding Fish Before the Tank Is Cycled

Even if your tank seems to be clean, it may lack beneficial bacteria necessary to deal with fish waste. Putting the fish into your aquarium prematurely might result in an ammonia spike.

Always test the water before introducing any livestock.

Buying Too Many Fish at Once

All fish produce waste in the aquarium. Purchasing multiple fish at once might be too much for the filtration system.

Introduce fish into the tank one at a time.

Using Untested Tap Water

Tap water might contain some chemicals, minerals, or nutrients that could trigger algae and other water problems.

It is recommended to use purified water for your reef aquarium.

Chasing Perfect Water Numbers

Do not add lots of chemicals due to small imperfections found during testing. Fast changes could be more damaging than slightly imperfect parameters.

Make gradual changes, repeat testing, and give your aquarium time to stabilize.

Overfeeding

An excessive amount of food is converted into waste and could cause nitrate and phosphate increases, algae, and poor quality of your water.

Give only the necessary portion of food that could be consumed by fish within a short period of time.

Adding Difficult Corals Too Early

Some corals require powerful lighting, stability of water parameters, and a more difficult maintenance regime. These corals are not a good choice for your beginning reef tank.

First use hardy soft corals and later switch to difficult corals once you get some experience.

Ignoring Livestock Compatibility

Not all kinds of fish, crabs, shrimps, and corals coexist well, and some species might eat corals, attack shrimps, or become aggressive.

Do research before purchasing any animal for your reef tank.

Buying Wild-Collected Livestock Without Research

When feasible, use captive-bred fish and frags from the culture of corals. They may be more suitable for a beginner and will help avoid any harm to reef systems in the wild.

Final Beginner Reef Aquarium Checklist

Before you start to put any fish or coral into the aquarium, you need to have:

• A secure spot for the tank
• Freshly treated water and sea salt mix
• A heater and thermometer
• Effective filtration and water circulation
• Salinity meter
• Complete nitrogen cycle
• No ammonia and no nitrites
• Fish and coral stocking plan
• Coral selection for beginners
• Water test kits
• Weekly maintenance schedule
• Patience for gradual stocking