Starting a reef aquarium is one of the most rewarding experiences in the aquarium hobby. The vibrant colors, fascinating behaviors, and living ecosystem you'll create brings a piece of the ocean into your home. At Sanctuary Aquatics, we've helped countless hobbyists successfully launch their first reef tanks, and we're here to guide you through every step of the process.
Let's talk about what makes a successful beginner reef tank! To get started, please contact the Sanctuary Aquatics team at 920-385-4802, or contact us online here.
Planning Your Reef Setup
Choose Your Tank Size
Contrary to popular belief, bigger is often easier when it comes to reef aquariums. Larger water volumes provide more stability, which is important for sensitive corals and marine fish. We recommend starting with at least a 40-gallon tank, though 75-90 gallons offers an ideal balance of manageability and stability for beginners.
Select Your Equipment
Your reef aquarium will need several key pieces of equipment, including:
- Protein Skimmer: Essential for removing organic waste before it breaks down
- Return Pump: Circulates water between your display tank and sump
- Powerheads: Provide crucial water movement throughout the tank
- Heater: Maintains stable tropical temperatures (76-78°F)
- LED Lighting: Modern reef LEDs provide the spectrum corals need for photosynthesis
The Cycling Process
Before adding any livestock, your tank must establish beneficial bacteria colonies that convert toxic ammonia into less harmful compounds. This nitrogen cycle typically takes 4-6 weeks. Start by adding live rock or dry rock seeded with beneficial bacteria. The rock provides biological filtration and creates the foundation of your reef structure. During cycling, test your water parameters weekly for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels.
Once ammonia and nitrites read zero and nitrates are present, your tank is ready for its first inhabitants.
Water Quality Management
Reef aquariums demand pristine water conditions. Invest in quality test kits for the essential parameters:
- Salinity (1.025-1.026 specific gravity)
- pH (8.1-8.4)
- Alkalinity (8-12 dKH)
- Calcium (400-450 ppm)
- Magnesium (1250-1350 ppm)
- Phosphate (under 0.03 ppm)
Regular water changes of 10-20% weekly help maintain these parameters while removing accumulated toxins. Always use reverse osmosis deionized (RODI) water mixed with quality marine salt.
Lighting Your Reef
Coral lighting has revolutionized with LED technology. Quality LED fixtures provide the full spectrum corals need while offering programmable sunrise/sunset cycles and storm effects. Start with moderate lighting intensity and gradually increase as your corals adapt and grow.
Different corals have varying light requirements, so research each species before placement. Generally, place high-light corals higher in the tank and shade-loving species lower or in shadowed areas.
Choosing Your First Fish
Hardy, peaceful fish species that are coral-safe make excellent reef tank inhabitants. Consider starting with species like clownfish, gobies, cardinals, or wrasses. Let’s talk about each species and why you should consider adding them to your reef tank!
Clownfish
Clownfish are perhaps the most recognizable marine fish and make excellent reef tank inhabitants. These hardy fish, characterized by orange, white, and black markings are captive-bred in large numbers, making them both sustainable and well-adapted to aquarium life. Ocellaris clownfish (often called "Nemo fish"), Percula, and Picasso clownfish are the most beginner-friendly species.
Clownfish are peaceful, relatively small (3-4 inches), and completely reef-safe. They may eventually host with anemones, which is a fun dynamic to watch for beginners and advanced hobbyists alike! These fish are also quite social and can be kept in pairs or small groups. Their bold personalities and constant activity make them entertaining to watch, and they are overall excellent eaters that accept most quality marine foods.
Gobies
Gobies are small, bottom-dwelling fish that bring unique behaviors to your reef tank. Watchman gobies, such as the Yellow Watchman Goby, are particularly popular for their symbiotic relationship with Pistol shrimp. This fascinating relationship between the species involves the shrimp digging burrows while the goby stands guard.
Firefish gobies are another excellent choice, known for their elegant elongated dorsal fins and peaceful temperament. These fish prefer to hover near rockwork and will dart into crevices when startled. Most gobies are excellent jumpers, so a secure lid is essential.
Cardinals
Cardinal fish are another great beginner species to add to your tank. They are gentle, nocturnal fish that add graceful movement to your reef display. The Banggai Cardinal is particularly striking with its silver body, black stripes, and spotted fins. These fish are mouthbrooders, meaning males carry eggs in their mouths until they hatch.
Cardinals prefer to school in small groups and are most active during evening hours. They're completely reef-safe and won't bother corals or invertebrates. Their peaceful nature makes them excellent community fish and overall perfect for beginners!
Wrasses
Wrasses are active, colorful fish that provide both beauty and function in reef aquariums. The Six Line Wrasse is particularly popular for its vibrant colors and appetite for unwanted pests like flatworms and small bristle worms. However, this species can become territorial in smaller tanks.
Fairy wrasses, such as the Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse, are more peaceful and add incredible color with their rainbow-like patterns. Male fairy wrasses often display elaborate courtship behaviors and color changes. Most wrasses are excellent jumpers and require secure tank covers.
Beginner Corals to Add to Your Tank
Once your tank is established and stable, you can begin adding corals. Start with hardy species like Zoanthids and Palythoa since they are pretty forgiving when it comes to water quality fluctuations as you begin developing your reef-keeping skills.
Zoanthids
Zoanthids, called "Zoas" in the reef community, are arguably the perfect starter coral. These small-polyp colonial corals form vibrant mats that spread across rockwork, creating stunning displays of color and pattern.
Zoas are incredibly hardy and forgiving of minor water parameter fluctuations that might stress other coral species. They feature small, disc-shaped polyps (typically 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter) with short stalks, creating a carpet-like appearance when fully extended. The color variations are virtually endless – from electric blues and greens to fiery oranges and deep purples, often with contrasting centers and radiating patterns.
These corals thrive under moderate lighting (100-200 PAR) and appreciate gentle to moderate water flow. They're also voracious growers, quickly colonizing available space and making them excellent for trading with fellow hobbyists.
Palythoa
Palythoa, commonly called "Palys," are the larger cousins of Zoanthids and bring dramatic impact to any reef display. These corals feature significantly larger polyps (often 1/2 to 1 inch in diameter) with longer stalks, creating a more three-dimensional appearance compared to the carpet-like growth of Zoas.
Palys are equally hardy and beginner-friendly, but their larger size and bold presence make them excellent centerpiece corals. They often display more muted but rich color combinations – deep greens, browns, and grays with stunning fluorescent accents under blue lighting. Some varieties exhibit beautiful color morphing throughout the day as lighting conditions change.
These corals prefer slightly higher lighting than Zoas (150-250 PAR) and enjoy moderate water flow that allows their larger polyps to sway gently. Popular species include Palythoa grandis and Palythoa caribaeorum, both known for their impressive size and robust nature.
If you want to see all coral species currently available on our website, please check out our saltwater coral collection here.
Feeding Your Reef
While many corals obtain nutrition through photosynthesis, supplemental feeding enhances growth and coloration. Target feed LPS and soft corals with quality coral foods, and maintain proper nutrient levels to support the zooxanthellae algae living within coral tissues.
Maintenance Routine
Successful reef keeping requires consistent maintenance. You should develop a weekly routine that includes water testing, cleaning glass, maintaining equipment, and observing your livestock for signs of stress or disease.
Monthly tasks should include cleaning protein skimmer cups, replacing filter media, and checking all equipment operation.
Growing Your Reef
As your confidence and experience grow, you can gradually add more challenging corals and expand your livestock selection. Keep detailed records of water parameters, feeding schedules, and coral placement to track what works best in your specific system.
Your Reef Journey Begins Here!
Starting a reef aquarium requires patience, dedication, and ongoing learning, but the rewards are immeasurable! When you invest in a reef aquarium, you are embarking on a journey that involves care and a deeper understanding and appreciation for aquatic life. At Sanctuary Aquatics, we're committed to supporting you throughout your reef-keeping journey with quality livestock, equipment, and expert advice.
Remember that every successful reef keeper started as a beginner. Take your time, research thoroughly, and don't hesitate to ask our team questions! The ocean's beauty awaits in your living room – let us help you create your own dream reef tank!