Choose Your Tank, Then I’ll Help You Set It Up
Once you know which tank you are building, open the matching guide and follow it in order. We will choose the location, put the equipment together, mix and add saltwater, cycle the tank, build a simple routine, and then talk about animals when the aquarium is ready for them.
Three tanks, three setup guides
Which tank are you setting up?
Choose the tank below and I will take you to the right guide. The 4.8-gallon DeskMate changes quickly, HelloReef comes with much more step-by-step help, and the 45-gallon JBJ needs more equipment, water, and planning.
Affiliate disclosure: The orange BRS shopping buttons below are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that fit the setup paths described here.
DeskMate 4.8
A compact nano guide broken into three useful stages.
Best fit: someone with very limited space who is willing to check a tiny tank often and make small, careful adjustments.
- Plan, unbox, and prepare
- Aquascape, fill, and tune
- Cycle, stabilize, and choose what comes next
Main tradeoff: evaporation, temperature, feeding, and even one animal can have a big effect in only 4.8 gallons.
HelloReef 15
A free six-week overview that works alongside the full HelloReef course included with the kit.
Best fit: a first-time owner who wants the most detailed instructions and would rather buy a thoughtfully matched kit than choose every part separately.
- Plan and assemble
- Fill, cycle, and build stable habits
- Choose cleanup crew and fish
- Decide whether the tank is truly ready for an anemone
Main tradeoff: the free guide will help you understand the process, but the complete course with more than 50 videos is included with the eligible HelloReef kit.
JBJ RF-45
A larger-tank guide paired with my JBJ beginner video series.
Best fit: someone with dedicated floor space, a larger budget, and a strong reason to want more room for aquascaping, fish, and coral.
- Plan the physical system
- Aquascape, fill, and cycle
- Add first livestock carefully
- Establish maintenance before upgrades
Main tradeoff: this tank needs the most equipment, the most setup work, and the most water and supplies over time.
Your next step
Choose livestock that actually fits your tank
Once the aquarium is cycled and stable, the next step is not adding more equipment—it is choosing fish, coral, and cleanup crew animals that match your tank’s size, maturity, and care requirements. Start with the livestock guide before you buy anything.