Tips on reef tanks (Beginner)

[Dcon89]

Hello, so I'm starting a fluval evo 13.5 as my first reef tank. I've done planted tanks in freshwater for years now but I've decided I want to try out saltwater. I was wondering if there are any tips you guys could give me to really help me succeed. Thank you very much.

 

[jcolliii]

Go S-L-O-WWWWWwwwwwww. Read LOTS. Ask questions. Stability is key. Don't try to do too much too fast. Don't think you need all the expensive crap that the hobby tells you that you need. Get an ATO sooner rather than later (and I don't mean expensive optical one that can only be operated by a dedicated reef controller. API makes good test kits for things like NO3 or if you need one, ammonia. But for important parameters like ALK, go Salifert from the start. Don't buy fish unsuited to your tank. Don't think you need expensive boutique salt. Probably many many more...

 

[Mav88]

Patience.
LED light and hood get hot so you may need a fan to help or you can keep the back piece of the lid off. I do not have an ATO but if you remove the lid and go with a mesh top you will want one.

If you keep it simple it is a great tank.

If you go overboard with fancy equipment you will wonder why you didn't get a 20 or bigger.

 

[lapin]

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

and a few other threads in the "new to salt water" section

 

[sp1187]

welcome to the show.
get a credit card dedicated to this build exclusively.
research what you want to keep before setting up.

 

[MuffinMonster]

welcome to the show.
get a credit card dedicated to this build exclusively.
research what you want to keep before setting up.

LOL! If that aint the truth i dont know what is..... I think im around $3k+ at the moment on my reefer 250 build. Not including the previous apex controller, leds, and junk i have owned before this upgrade....

 

[sp1187]

LOL! If that aint the truth i dont know what is..... I think im around $3k+ at the moment on my reefer 250 build. Not including the previous apex controller, leds, and junk i have owned before this upgrade....

I had 5k on my 150 X Tall in wall, not counting the drywall/framing redo, before I added any water.
worth every penny.