22 Essential Things to Know Before Setting Up Your First Saltwater Aquarium
Discover the 22 things I wish I knew before setting up a saltwater aquarium and avoid common beginner mistakes.
Discover the 22 things I wish I knew before setting up a saltwater aquarium and avoid common beginner mistakes.

Regular water changes keep your saltwater aquarium healthy by preventing cloudy water, sick fish, and unhappy corals—learn how to do them right!

Keeping the right saltwater parameters is key to a thriving reef—learn the ideal ranges for salinity, temperature, pH, and more!

Create a stunning saltwater aquarium on a budget with our guide to three affordable builds!

Wondering how many fish you can put in a saltwater aquarium? Our comprehensive guide breaks down the key factors to consider—fish characteristics, tank habitat, and filtration efficiency. Discover expert recommendations for five different tank sizes, from a 15-gallon setup to a 150-gallon behemoth.

Are saltwater aquariums good for beginners? Absolutely! Start with a manageable 40-gallon tank to learn the basics and enjoy educational benefits and soothing water sounds. Avoid common beginner mistakes, and you’ll find this hobby rewarding and enjoyable.

Discover the top six beginner saltwater aquariums, perfect for new hobbyists! From the budget-friendly IM 20 Long to the premium Red Sea Reefer Max 200 G2, each tank offers unique features to help you start your saltwater aquarium journey.

Setting up your first saltwater aquarium can be an exciting yet daunting task. In this beginner’s guide, we explore a detailed tour of my 15-gallon Hello Reef tank, covering essential tips, equipment recommendations, and maintenance strategies to ensure your saltwater aquarium thrives.

Get started with saltwater aquariums and reef tanks with these essential tips for beginners. Success starts with starting right!

A basic overview of saltwater aquarium filtration, we will go in depth in future articles!

Once you understand the nitrogen cycle, you’ll have a deeper understanding of aquarium filtration and be able to tackle it without issue!

Once your saltwater aquarium is filled with water, you have to make sure your aquarium is cycled, so here we show you how to do it!

Now that you are ready to get your saltwater aquarium wet, here is how you add the sand, the saltwater, and setup your filtration!

How do you make saltwater? It can seem intimidating, but its easy and here we will teach you how to make it!

Sand in a saltwater aquarium is more complicated and important than you think! Here we cover everything you need to know.

Aquascaping your saltwater aquarium is a big step, as it will define how your aquarium looks for the rest of its life!

Rocks for saltwater aquariums can get quite complicated! We are here to cover anything and everything about reef rocks!

By now you might be starting up your saltwater aquarium so here we cover some mistakes many beginners make so that you don’t make them!

You finally have all your saltwater aquarium gear, but before you go set it all up, here are some quick things to check! From making sure your aquarium isn’t leaking to cleaning out your new gear.

Sometimes you create your dream build, but some pieces just don’t seem to ever be in stock. Here are some ways to get your saltwater gear!

We are bringing you two build guides to help you setup your first saltwater aquarium, along with some cost cutting tips and tricks!

By this week you may be ready to start buying some of your gear! We will cover some quick gear buying tips for you to consider.

This week’s article is an overview of saltwater aquariums, what they are and the different styles out there for you to try!

This week’s article is an overview of saltwater aquariums, what they are and the different styles out there for you to try!

This week’s article is an overview of saltwater aquariums, what they are and the different styles out there for you to try!

This week’s article is an overview of saltwater aquariums, what they are and the different styles out there for you to try!

This week’s article covers some common beginner questions you might already be asking yourself, or at least should be!

Updated 2024 This Ultimate Saltwater Aquarium guide was primarily designed to provide inspiration and a glimpse into some of the most extravagant equipment and setups

You can and will beat dinoflagellates. Our comprehensive guide will walk you step-by-step through the entire process.

Ammonia test kits ranked. Find the right ammonia test kit for you.

Updated 2025 It is definitely possible to set up a saltwater aquarium for under $500, and here’s how I would do it. In this guide

Learn how to set up a sleek, 20-gallon saltwater aquarium for around $800 with easy-to-maintain gear—perfect for beginners.
Updated 2024 Discover the ultimate $300 budget-friendly Saltwater Aquarium Setup guide, designed to make aquarium ownership easy and affordable! Our focus is on providing you

Table of Contents I) Introduction II) Daily Tasks III) 2X/Week Tasks IV) Weekly Tasks V) Every Other Week Tasks VI) Monthly Tasks VII) Semi Annual

Table of Contents I) Introduction II) Refugiums III) Plumbing Overflows Soft Plumbing Hard Plumbing IV) Sumps V) Episode 10: Maintenance I) Introduction If you want

Table of Contents I) Introduction II) Filtration Mechanical Filtration Biological Filtration Chemical Filtration III) Reactors Media Bags Carbon/GFO Reactors Kalkwasser Reactors IV) Algae Scrubbers V)

Table of Contents I) Introduction II) Lights III) Heaters IV) Chillers & Fans V) Pumps VI) Episode 08: Filtration, Reactors, Scrubbers, & Sterilizers I) Introduction

Table of Contents I) Introduction II) Beginner Corals Coral Basics Characteristics of a Beginner Coral Choosing a Healthy Coral Caring for Your Coral Top 10

Table of Contents I) Introduction II) Saltwater Fish Characteristics of a Beginner Fish Tank Requirements Choosing a Healthy Fish Drip Acclimation To 10 Beginner Fish

Table of Contents I) Introduction II) Water Chemistry Nitrogen Cycle Water Parameters Test Kits Controllers III) RO/DI Filtration IV) Salt Mixes V) Additives VI) Episode

Table of Contents I) Introduction II) Live Rock Recommended Live Rock III) Aquascaping IV) Live Sand Recommended Live Sand V) Episode 04: Water Chemistry, RODI,

Table of Contents I) Introduction II) Commercially Available Brands III) Tanks/Aquariums IV) Stands V) Episode 03 I) Introduction Alrighty, let’s jump right in! When you

Table of Contents I) Getting Started II) IM Nuvo Encore Build List III) Two Places To Begin IV) Four Categories Of Tanks V) Four Key

Updated 2024 Disclaimer: Let me reiterate – I am NOT an expert, veterinarian, or medical professional. However, I have dedicated years to curating the most

Updated 2025 Disclaimer: I am NOT an expert. I am NOT a veterinarian. I am NOT a medical professional. But I have spent years trying

Table of Contents I) Vlog: The Strip II) Map III) Aquariums On The Las Vegas Strip I have been wanting to do this vlog for

Updated 2024 Table of Contents I) What is Nuisance Algae? II) How to Get Rid of Nuisance Algae III) Most Common Types of Nuisance Algae

Updated 2024. The Beginner Guide To Coral For many saltwater enthusiasts, the allure of the hobby lies particularly in the realm of corals. These stunning

I) The Beginner’s Guide To Clean Up Crews: What Is A Cleanup Crew? Updated 2025 The beginner’s guide to clean up crews is here to
Discover the best beginner saltwater fish for your aquarium in our 2024 guide. Learn about hardy, inexpensive, and easy-to-acclimate species.

Updated 2024 There are three methods to test the salinity of your water: 1. Hydrometer2. Refractometer3. Probe I must mention a fourth, but I don’t

Updated 2023 So you are becoming obsessed with this hobby huh? Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me! Why not take your obsession to a

Updated 2024 The market is filled with various types of aquarium controllers, catering to different needs. You can find controllers for pumps, auto top off

Updated 2024 The location of your refugium will determine the type of lights that will work best for it. While sump-based macroalgae refugia are most

Updated 2024 The Berlin Method has long been a traditional approach to maintaining a saltwater aquarium, relying on a sump, protein skimmer, and ample live

Updated 2024 In the world of saltwater aquarium algae scrapers, you’ve got two main types: magnetic and hand-held. In this gear guide, I’m gonna keep

Updated 2024 Most saltwater hobbyists rely on RO/DI water for their tanks, either purchasing it from their local fish store (LFS) or producing it themselves.

Updated 2024 Dealing with pests and disease in our aquariums can be a real headache, and it’s essential to be prepared with the right products

Updated 2024 As we dive into the world of reactors in 2024, things can get overwhelming with various types designed for specific media: 1. Media

Updated 2024 Recommending just five fish foods is a tough task because of the vast options available, and each fish has unique dietary needs. However,

Updated 2024 In the world of corals, many have photosynthetic zooxanthellae in their tissues, which utilize the sun (or aquarium lights) to provide nourishment to

Updated 2024 Now, you might be wondering, “Why in the world is there a whole post about epoxy and glue on a beginner reefing website?”

Updated 2024 Filtration media offers great benefits, but it’s crucial to use them judiciously. As beginners, it’s easy to panic and add filtration media at

https://youtu.be/eZBDaHSOuO0?feature=shared Updated 2024 Let’s simplify the topic of protein skimmers for beginners: What is a protein skimmer? A protein skimmer removes proteins and other organic

https://youtu.be/PfXqvyA5_OE?feature=shared Updated 2024 When choosing the right sand for your tank, there are several factors to consider: 1. Quantity: The amount of sand you need

Updated 2024 When it comes to live rock, there’s often confusion, especially for those new to the hobby. Essentially, there are two types: wet live

Updated 2024 We are jumping price points quite a bit here, but trust me, if you can afford it, the following Red Sea system is

Updated 2024 Welcome to the $2750 Saltwater Aquarium High Tech Build guide! We’re about to take your saltwater aquarium to a whole new level of

Updated 2024 Hey there! Welcome to the $1600 Saltwater Aquarium High Tech Build guide! We’re all about creating a stunning, high-tech, and easy-to-maintain saltwater aquarium.

Updated 2024 Welcome to our $340 Saltwater Aquarium Budget Build guide! Our aim is to help you create a stunning saltwater aquarium without breaking the

Updated 2024 Here we go! The following build is built around a 91 gallon Red Sea Tank. But this ain’t no ordinary tank! It comes

Updated 2024 Key Stats: Size: 40 Gallons Aquarium Dimensions: 35.4″ L x 19.7″ W x 13″ H Stand Dimensions: 35.43″ x 19.7″ x 35.75″ Aquarium

Updated 2024 This compilation is tailored for individuals seeking a nano-tank (under 20 gallons) and are ready to invest a bit more for premium equipment.

Updated 2024 By far the easiest and best value, this HelloReef Kit, as you will see, is a project I’m involved with. For $550, not

Updated 2024 There are various test kits available, all relying on reading different hues and color tones. While many affordable saltwater test kits may be

Updated 2024 I possess a vast assortment of maintenance equipment for my aquarium. While some items are in frequent use, others see action only every

Updated 2024 Heaters, heaters, and more heaters! While they may seem straightforward, there are some differences to consider. You’ve got your glass, plastic, and titanium

https://youtu.be/LU3apTiPWZI?feature=shared Updated 2024 With so many sea salt mix options available, it can be overwhelming for beginners. Let’s start with the basics: any sea salt

Updated 2024 When it comes to return pumps, you’ll find two main categories: AC and DC pumps. AC pumps, or alternating current pumps, are the

Updated 2024 When it comes to wavemakers, there is a wide array of options available, and the term itself can be misleading. Beginners might envision

Updated 2024 A lot has changed in the five years since we published this post, so we thought it was time for an update. All

Updated 2024 Let’s face it, starting your first marine aquarium can be overwhelming, especially with all the complex jargon in the hobby. But don’t worry,