5 Tips on How to Start a Saltwater Reef Aquarium
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- čas přidán 4. 07. 2024
- So you want to start a reef tank? Well you are in luck! CZcams exists, and there are about 50 million videos on how to get started. This video isn’t so much a step-by-step how to, but rather some practical tips to think about before you get started. I’ve been in this hobby a really really long time, and this is the top5 things I wish I knew as a beginner.
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Meanwhile there's poor me making my 10 gallon somehow work 😂
I know many people that started with a nano reef and upgraded every couple years. I would say you can start with any size tank and just eventually go up the chain of tanks
"Here's my tips for beginers. Buy a $2000 tank the size of your living room to save you money"
Yeah but what about the saltwater and the other living things
Lmao right
@@HeTookThem Aye men, sacrifices...probably worth it. Take it from the pico gal. At least Than isn't linking you an affiliate code to a 2k tank!
In all seriousness, though...keeping more advanced corals sing for the faint of heart or wallet. My advice personally, if you're just starting out, is to get what you can afford and try the hobby out on easy mode - get coralomorophs aka mushrooms, like riccordea and rodactis - they look pretty, dont require high light or low nutrients. Get a taste for the hobby and if you enjoy it, invest in a larger tank, better lighting, dosing equip, reactors etc. It WILL cost more in the long run, but will be less of a loss if you give up and decide the hobby isnt for you. If it is for you, then you have a cool, small, mature tank.full of 'shrooms' and you can branch out from there. Experience is worth the extra money, imo.
As an "advanced beginner borderline novice", I can say that I would have saved money on equipment...but at least I have achieved succedd/proven to myself that I pull off something very low tech/low cost.
All that being said...go for it. You don't need 2k. When everything was said and done, my tank costed a whopping $130 - livestock not included.
People living in the US don't realise how expensive anything aquarium related is in other countries
@@OmniversalInsect not even in other countries, a 100 gallon are expensive in general, youll need a bigger reef salt, a reef lighting 4x ( $120 x4 ), starting a reef tank that big is very stressful, im not even talking the stocking yet, for you to feel that tank as to not look empty would require you tons of money, 55 gallon may not be as stable as 100 gallon but, theres more room for error because once that 100 gallon tank fails your money is gone.
I love this video... I learned along time ago to never take advise from someone who doesn't have a nice tank. Experience outweighs everything else.
Great advice Than. I took a 25 year absence from the hobby and now it's like a new planet to me everything is so much better. Wish you had done this video 3 years ago when rejoined the hobby.
Great advice, went with a 110g for first tank! Also, DELAY DELAY DELAY! Let that initial excitement die down to a simmer before purchasing anything! Do the research, shop around, and you'll end up much more satisfied with the equipment you chose and the price you paid.
Know what you need, and why you are getting it. Don't let the LFS staff sell you stuff that you don't fully understand/research beforehand. Calcium reactor? No thanks, I think I'll keep things simple in the beginning with manual dosing (part of the fun, and gives me a chance to get in tune with my tank). Chiller? Not now, I want to do more research on the upper range of temperatures for the fish and corals I want to keep. These are two examples of how I made my choices when getting my equipment. If I get them in the future (probably might, how cool is the calcium reactor right?), it will be because I have done the research, and understand how it achieves my objectives.
One of the most well thought out videos on helping a novice reefer to date I've seen.
Great advice! I started in this hobby in the early 80’s and left it 2017. I’ve missed it ever since and I have been planning to get back in. I’m still working on what tank I will get so this was helpful to adding clarity to my planning. Thanks!
Nice job. No reason for thumbs down, it's great information.
+melevsreef i can only assume it was a competitor
When I started this video I had about $200 dollars worth of equipment sitting in my amazon cart... after I finished the video $0.00 in the cart. Patience & research for me (new to this) is the key, thanks for the heads up!
This is by far one of my favorite fishtube channels, great to-the-point-info. Thanks!
Than, without a doubt this is by far the BEST video not only for folks looking to build a reef tank but any tank. So much good and correct info!
I am just starting out and have watched countless hours of youtube videos and I have to say this gave me the most optimistic view of starting my tank. Thank you! I plan to start my tank in two months.
Great you just shamed me into doing a water change. Thanks
wes
?
wtf
Khabrnama
@@clueless588 lk
Totally agree on the waiting part. I remember that before I started the hobby I spend like literally one year before I started and it was well worth the wait. Great video!
I am a really experienced aquarist, I never considered the 24" x 24" lighting consideration. GREAT video.
"Someone who was in this hobby 15 years ago, who is just now getting into it, would have a lot of catching up to do." Haha that's me! Gees, the options and equipment just blew up!
That first tip is spot-on. This time around I went with a 150g that is four feet long, with the extra length front-to-back, and I adore it!!
Getting back into the hobby and just been jumping around redoing my homework before diving back in head first. Thanks for the advice.
New subscriber. Love the videos. Love the music and your delivery. Excited to see more!
Very well said.. Many years in this hobby and the more you learn the less you run out and buy.. There's no substitute for experience.. love your auctions by the way.
+Dee From Brooklyn you are right the auction are like a prime time tv show for my homie and i
very helpful info. Doing research now for weeks and you made some great points. Thanks for taking the time to help us newbies out.
It's a discipline not a television.
A way of life some might say ...
Been doing it since 92.
Passion is greatly rewarded with this hobby.
Attention to details has never been so important!
Satisfaction, when you're on top of it.
Kinda like Everest...
Discovery,
always something to learn.
Still have my old Tunze powerheads. lol
thank you, very informational to me. I recently started getting into aquariums and aquaculture. My wife and kid love it. I would eventually like to have a coral reef tank, but am patiently taking in as much info on everything as I can. Some of these saltwater tanks are so beautiful.
I like this advice. Was in the hobby 10 years ago. Learned a lot and spent a lot. You’re spot on with the narrow tanks. The lengths and heights usually aren’t a problem. It’s that front to back dimension that matters most to me now.
Waiting before buying is also a smart move. You have a long way to go before any livestock should be purchased. Just leave it dry and start compiling equipment that you need. You need an RO/DI unit and make your own water. They’re very easy to install. I’ve installed 3 of them and I’m not a plumber.
Learn what fish are compatible!! This is highly important. Just because you want 3 different types of clownfish and 3 different angels with some damsels mixed in because you love all the colors equally doesn’t mean it’s a smart thing to do. Eventually you won’t have several of those fish as they die from stress or you take some back to the store. If you don’t want to learn, leave the hobby to people who are willing to.
Don’t overstock. The tank is a small box. Too many fish makes it too chaotic and unnatural. It will save you $$ and the fish you do have will be happier and less stressed.
Really think about what corals and fish you want to focus on before you dive in. A lot of stuff is really common and you may get bored with it.
To be honest most people who think they want to do this should just sit down and start compiling an equipment list along with prices. Once added up you will weed out 90% or better from ever starting. And that’s just an equipment list. Not materials or livestock. People who study it and read forums and books on it are more likely to have success. Especially if they’re still passionate about it after the initial newness has worn off.
You ready don’t need to get a 120 gal IMO. Salt is expensive too. Nano tanks are popular and can work if taken care of. Just start slowly and slowly gain confidence for more.
You have to learn what’s using what elements. Some demand much higher calcium than others and then even more once they grow larger.
LEDs will help keep electric bills down much better than halides of the old days. But even a modest tank may raise your electric bill 20, 30, maybe $50 a month. No matter where you’re at youll probably be in that 20 to 50 range for most tanks. Minimize electrical demand if you can.
Love my 120 and yes it is perfect for a beginner. Loved the advise on water changes as well.
Thanks for the info very useful for beginners, I'm planning a starter tank I'm planning bubble tips when I've had the tank matured for about 6 months the guy in the marine fish and corals and anemone store gave me good info and listening to your great info is excellent double info the more the better
Make some merch that says "do a water change"
I should...
How often
Great information for when I start my saltwater tank. Thanks for sharing the info with us.
Thank you! Your video was very helpful! I'm getting a saltwater tank soon and I'm super nervous because people say it's really hard to care for. I almost bought a 55 gallon with everything with it with corals and fish for pretty cheap but I'm definitely going to get a bigger one!
Great advice. My first 16 gallon tank was replaced within months. My second 50 gallon tank was replaced within a year. I also agree with light considerations.
Don't understand the bad remarks and thumbs down. This is honest and absolutely good information.
I have had a couple tanks and they are freshwater. My boyfriend and I have been dreaming of having a reef tank, but because they seem so difficult to keep we have waited on it. Your videos are so educational and helpful! Thank you!
Where was this when I needed it? Great Video!
Don't buy a tank you can't reach the bottom of with your hand.
Well if you put certain critter in there like a Moray Eel then that will cure your problem with wanting to put your hand in there. ;-)
LMAO I know, right?! Still, it's a royal pain to move anything or recapture something you've dropped in a tank that's too deep.
Lisa Foster you just need the right tools :)
scuba gear
Uh... yeah... Made that misstake. Freshwater hobbyist myself with a heavily planted tank so you can imagine how much I applaud my decision to go tall.
waiting and researching +1 I can't even begin to count the number of videos I watched and how many forums I joined and poured through months and months in advance. It helped IMMENSELY when I finally got a tank. Learned a ton in the year its been up too though.
Tanks for your videos and tips! Your videos are great. From Brazil!
Good tips! Thanks
🐟🐠 Very helpful tips. Thanks for sharing 🐟🐠
I agree with the general advice for beginners of getting a relatively large tank. At the same time, though, the whole reasoning about scaling costs with size does not take into account stuff at the onset such as live rocks and ongoing costs such as electrical bills and salt.
So, yes, larger aquariums (up to a point) are comparatively cheaper (relative to size), but it's a bit more complicate than just the cost of equipment...
Than great video, i made a lot of mistakes starting out. I'm always learning something everyday.
It's a living art piece, so beautiful! I have too many hobbiesX)
As always, love Tidal Gardens' videos!
Very good information for the newbies great video!
This has been very helpful clear and to the point 👍👍👍
extreamly helpful thanks!!
Very informative video, thank you kindly!!!
Great video and a must for anyone starting off. But even for us that are hooked already it's a good one.
Really awesome information. I researched and purchased items for my first tank 6 months before putting a drop of water in it.
Another Great video from tidal gardens
You hit the nail on the head water change!!!
Thankyou, this has been a major help. You're right btw, been out of aquariums for 20 years and I am lost.
Very helpful tips, Thank you very much!
Good video as having to start over as my cheap filtration system went down on me and lost almost everything in the tank gonna rebuild the tank the right way this time. Hope to be buying some corals from you in the near future. Keep up the awesome work
Very nice, Than. Thank you for the tips.
I love this video specially the guy who's talking. !!! I've been searching for these answers !!! For years!
wish i had known this when starting my freshwater micro tank! would have saved me a lot of time and money.
As a novice, I found these insights very enlightening.
As a physician, your last comment, never adding what you do not test for, reminded me of something one of my old mentors would have said.
He also had 2 corollaries:
1. Never do a test for something you do not plan to treat.
2. Never do a panel of tests when you only want one. You will start chasing false values and do harm.
Than, you have the wisdom of a good caretaker,
Jim
I like those sayings. Thanks for sharing.
That was awesome
Gorgeous tank 😍
Getting ready to set up my 210 gallon tank great tips thanks
LOL great tips, especially the water change one!
Hands down the best video I have ever come across on the subject. I can't tell you how many times I have watched this video. It's a good way to stay grounded and remember the basics. Thanks so much for making this Than 👍🤙
Than, as usual great video!
i feel i really need to comment on this video as i find it misleading as hell
first of all 120g tank is expensive and all this scaling bs is more or less lie
i had huge reef tank and my main expense after a year was not equipment or livestock
it was electricity and water lighting and heating up 120 will be expensive and dwarf your equipment cost, lets forget 120g for a moment
i will say ~30g is good for a beginner and will not break bank
do you live close to your fish store ? should be fist question, why ?
ro/di system, mixing salt takes up place, time and can be easily messed up
buying already salted water from reliable supplier is the way to go, its may be more expensive then mixing your own but it saves times, hassle and potential problems
correct choice of livestock will save money, most of soft corals don't need to be fed, require good lightning and they are some of the most beautiful. bam i just saved you huge problem of having a doser
there are always good selection of equipment that re as good as big brand but cost less
research into that
so my advice
30g proper marine tank with under sump ~ 500£
good budget skimmer like bubble magus ~ 100 £
good return pump like eheim ~ 70 £
good budget led lights, hell even chinese ones for 80 £ will work and grow softies, stuff like evergrow cost fraction and are as good as the big expensive brands ~ 200-300
minor stuff ~ 200 £ (heater sand, rock, test kit etc )
nice to have but unnecessary - auto top up (should be your fist upgraded), media reactor
so for 1000£ you can get nice looking tank, 200 more should stock it up reasonably well
don't go for live rock (use dead rock )
don't overstock
take it slow
go for hardy fish and corals
if your tank is open for love of god check is that fish you buy is a jumper
discipline is most important thing owning salt water tank, its not hard, its not that expressive
and you defiantly don't need 120g tank to enjoy the hobby
Egis Peleda you should make a video your information is way better and not going to kill the bank
I think the point Than was trying to make was the likelihood of success with a 120 would be higher than a 55 assuming that both were properly setup simply due to the increased water volume. I do agree also that the cost would be much higher, not counting the cost difference between the tanks. The amount of rock, sand(if you don’t go bare bottom), return pump, circulation pumps, stand whether you build it or buy, and I do feel that even a outstanding skimmer rated for a 55 would struggle in a 120 unless it was lightly stocked and/or you did frequent water changes. In short a 120 would cost considerably more to get going than a 55. I would say that a standard 4 foot 75, a 3 foot 65, or a 60 cube would be a good tank to start with. I think a good thing to consider is being patient and look for used equipment. I started with 30 gallon 20 some years ago then to a 3 foot 65 then to a 6 foot 125, sold it for a song because I was tired of it, now running a 35 cube and could not be happier. Deals are out there if you’re willing to put in the effort. I do agree that 4 foot 55’s are the worse, there to tall and way to narrow, I’d take a 40 breeder over a 55 any day. I don’t Than was misleading anyone, he does know this hobby vey well.
$200 for stock? Pff cool story.. I only have a 18g and stocked for ~1000 and not even filled yet.
Why do you say no live rock?
Would just an ornament work ? Is that different form dead work? ( might be a stupid question I'm clueless!!)
great video, fantastic advise
Happy reefing. Great video
Very informational.. thank you
Great tips!
best beginner tips video ive seen in a long time.
This video was super helpful I’ve keep tropical for yours so i Didn’t need to buy Much I had a spare 60l tank Heater and fluval U5 filter the only thing I neede to get was a gd protein skimmer difrent lights and testing kits and sult. I ended up get some live sound and a purple rock.
Really enjoying your channel.
good advice,as always
Hello Than! Excelent and precise infomation. Is always a great help learning from your experience. Greetings!
Great tips ive kept tropical fish for years im now considering salt water reef tank i no nothing doing lots reserch not rushing into it glad found this channel thankyou
Doing lots of research now will save you a lot of heart ache and money down the line. I am still learning new things and I have been at this a long time.
where was this video 3 years ago 😢😢😢😢😢
I'm sure this would saved me TONS of money💸 😂😂😂😂
Great quality video Than. Very nice
where was this video 4 years ago when i first started. .. great video bud i followed u when i first started reefing
Wow the best I've watched thanks
Im totally satified with my basic 55 AND it fills up and looks good really fast.
Awesome video, I have a 5 gallon nano with no filter other than live sand and rock. Anytime my frog spawn looks sad I do a water change. But I always do a water change of 1 gallon every weekend. It runs like a top!
Great video man Than You for sharing.
Great info. Thanks for showing some good tips for beginners. Setting up my first reef tank. 180g subbed your channel.
Keep up the good work..
Awesome video!
Top video than ,, totally agree with everything you said how ever a lot of learning in this hobby is done through trial and error
great information!!
very well done!!
I was knee deep in reefing 25 years ago and I agree 110% with your video.
Hardware sure made a giant leap. Falling back into reefing in 3..2..1...
Great tips!!!
That was great, as that is us exactly at the moment.
great video!
Very useful tips Sr.Greetings from Miami
Thanks and welcome
Good tips thank you.
but I really enjoy your videos ! keep posting !!
I wish I had seen your video three months ago, before two tank crashes and about $300 down the proverbial drain. I'm now on a three-month period of cycling sea water with live rock and sea sand, and putting together a competent refugium tank. It's slow going, but it's going in the right direction. thanks for the video. keep it up. people are learning from you.
Patience is the tip he missed. Keep it up you'll do great!
amazing video thanks:)
I love your video and barely 10mins into it
Purchasing aquatics such as tanks, equipment remain a better time to purchase in December! Especially in Florida. When Christmas time is nearing many folks will look to sell & cash out as well as purchase to begin new. Second hand equipment is a great start up source for beginners.
I'm totally catching up to speed in this changed hobby. Changed for the better for sure.
When you do water changes do you vacuum the sand bed? Or just pull from the middle of the tank?
kyle nicholls depends on you’re tank what I do is wait 2-3 months to gravel siphon but other then that monthly I just take the water out