Choosing the Right Type of Tank

The reef hobby is deeply engaging and rewarding, but it’s also easy to make early mistakes. One of the most common is starting with a small or inexpensive aquarium and later realizing it’s too limited. Many beginners end up upgrading to a larger, higher-quality setup — spending much more overall.

Why Investing in a Quality Tank Pays Off

Modern professional aquariums are designed to make even beginners feel like experts. They come with built-in filtration, lighting, and circulation systems that keep your corals healthier and reduce maintenance time.

Even if a professional system seems expensive at first glance, it usually saves money long-term:

• You’ll avoid losing corals or fish due to unstable conditions.

• Maintenance costs are much lower.

• The setup stays stable, clean, and easier to manage.

In the end, it’s far more profitable and stress-free to invest once in a good system than to replace or upgrade later.

Step 1: Start with Your Budget

Begin by deciding how much you want to invest — both in the tank itself and the livestock you plan to keep.

• Soft corals and zoanthids (zoas): Great for beginners. These require moderate lighting and are very forgiving.

• LPS corals: Need a bit more care but grow beautifully and move gently in the current.

• SPS corals: For advanced aquarists. They need strong light, high water flow, and very stable water conditions.

Once you define your budget, choose a tank that can support your long-term goals — not just your first few months in the hobby.

Step 2: Recommended Aquarium Sizes & Starter Brands

Small Tanks (10–25 gallons)

Best for learning coral care or keeping soft corals and zoas.

• Examples: Innovative Marine Nuvo 20, Fluval Evo 13.5, Aqueon Rimless 15.

• Pros: Compact, affordable, easy to fit anywhere.

• Cons: Water parameters change quickly — not ideal for SPS.

Medium Tanks (30–50 gallons)

A balanced choice for growing with the hobby.

• Examples: Waterbox 35.2, Red Sea Max Nano, Innovative Marine 40 Fusion.

• Pros: More stable water chemistry, room for coral growth and small fish.

• Cons: Slightly higher upfront cost, needs moderate space.

Large Tanks (75+ gallons)

Perfect for long-term coral growth and a wider variety of species.

• Examples: Red Sea Reefer series, Waterbox Reef 100.3, Cade Reef Systems.

• Pros: Very stable, supports SPS and mixed reefs.

• Cons: Higher cost, more equipment, and space needed.

Step 3: Don’t Forget Essential Equipment

To get professional-level results from the start, plan for:

• Lighting: Reef-specific LEDs (AI Prime, Red Sea ReefLED, or Kessil).

• Filtration: Built-in sump or all-in-one chambers with filter media and protein skimmer.

• Flow: Powerheads or wave pumps to keep water moving and oxygenated.

• Heater & ATO: Stable temperature and automatic top-off system for evaporated water.

coralSLover® Recommendation

Even if you’re a beginner, think like a professional — invest in a reliable system, start slowly, and focus on water stability before adding corals. This approach will save money, reduce stress, and help your reef thrive beautifully for years.

Step 4: Setting Up the Aquarium

(Cycle, Live Rock, and First Corals)

After choosing your tank, the next step is to build a healthy environment where your corals can thrive. A stable foundation is the key to long-term success in reef keeping.

The Nitrogen Cycle – Building Stability

Every reef tank needs to “cycle” before adding corals or fish. The cycle establishes beneficial bacteria that convert toxic waste (ammonia and nitrite) into less harmful nitrate.

How to cycle your tank:

1. Fill your tank with saltwater (use reef salt and RO/DI water).

2. Add live rock or dry rock to seed beneficial bacteria.

3. Introduce a small source of ammonia (like fish food or bottled bacteria).

4. Wait for the bacteria to multiply — this usually takes 3–4 weeks.

5. Test your water regularly. You’re ready when ammonia = 0, nitrite = 0, and nitrate < 20 ppm.

Tip: Patience is everything. Don’t rush this stage — a fully cycled tank is the foundation for coral health.

Choosing Live Rock & Sand

Live rock acts as both biological filtration and natural decoration.

• Live rock: Comes from existing aquariums or ocean sources, full of beneficial bacteria.

• Dry rock: Cheaper, pest-free, and becomes “live” over time as bacteria colonize it.

• Sand bed: Optional but helps stabilize pH and provides habitat for microfauna.

Stack your rocks firmly and plan space for coral placement — leave open areas for water flow and future growth.

Adding Your First Corals

Once your tank is fully cycled and stable, start with hardy, beginner-friendly species (Optional) :

• Pulsing Xenia

• Kenya Tree Coral

• Leather Corals

• Zoanthids (Zoas)

These soft corals are forgiving, adapt easily, and help you learn basic reef care.

coralSLover® Recommendation:

Always acclimate corals slowly to your tank water. Use the drip-acclimation method for 20–30 minutes before placing them in the tank.

Placement & Attachment

Once acclimated, corals need to be secured on live rock to grow and stay in place.

• Use reef-safe super glue gel or aquarium epoxy putty

Lighting & Flow

Proper light and flow are crucial for coral health.

• Soft corals prefer moderate light and gentle to medium flow.

• Avoid placing them directly under strong LEDs at first — acclimate to light slowly.

Good water movement keeps corals clean, prevents detritus buildup, and helps with gas exchange.

Monitoring Water Parameters

Before adding more corals, maintain stable parameters:

• Temperature: 77–79°F

• Salinity: 1.025–1.026 SG

• pH: 8.0–8.3

• Nitrate: <15 ppm

• Alkalinity: 8–10 dKH

Test weekly and perform small water changes to keep levels stable.

coralSLover® Final Tip:

Don’t rush! Reef aquariums grow best slowly and consistently. Once your soft corals are thriving, you can start exploring LPS or SPS corals with confidence.

How to Attach Corals to Rock – Beginner’s Complete Guide

Attaching corals to your live rock is a fundamental step in reef keeping. While it may seem tricky at first, it’s easy once you understand the different options and techniques. Here’s everything a beginner needs to know.

Why Corals Need to Stick?

Corals in aquariums are often sold as small frags (pieces) attached to plugs or rubble rock. To integrate them into your tank, you need to secure them onto live rock so they stay in place, can grow naturally, and look great in your aquascape.

What happens if they are not secured:

• Movement or tipping: Corals may fall over or shift due to water flow, filtration currents, or accidental bumps during maintenance.

• Damage: Fragile corals can break, bruise, or lose polyps if they move around too much.

• Slower growth: Corals attach and grow more slowly if they aren’t stable on a surface. Some may not attach at all.

• Stress: Corals under constant motion can experience stress, leading to color loss, reduced feeding, and increased susceptibility to disease.

Securing corals properly ensures they have a stable base, remain healthy, and can thrive in your reef tank over time.2. Methods to Attach Corals

Reef-Safe Super Glue Gel

• Type: Cyanoacrylate gel designed specifically for aquariums.

• Special Feature: Solidifies in water, making it ideal for attaching corals to rocks that are already submerged.

• How to Use:

  1. Dry the bottom of the coral frag or plug as much as possible (optional if rock is wet).

  2. Apply a small dab of gel to the frag or plug.

  3. Press it gently onto the rock and hold for a few seconds.

  4. The gel solidifies quickly, usually within 10–30 seconds, creating a strong initial hold.

• Pros: Fast, easy, works underwater, widely available.

• Cons: Minimal odor; must use small amounts.

Aquarium Epoxy Putty

• Type: Reef-safe putty that hardens in water.

• Special Feature: Can sculpt around uneven surfaces and holds larger or heavier corals.

• How to Use:

  1. Cut a small piece of putty and knead it until soft.

  2. Apply it to the bottom of the frag or plug.

  3. Press the coral onto the rock, shaping the putty to hold it securely.

  4. Fully hardens in 5–10 minutes, stronger hold after 1 hour.

• Pros: Excellent for heavy corals or irregular surfaces, water-safe, long-lasting.

• Cons: Slightly more work than super glue; takes a few minutes to fully set.

No-Glue Method

• Technique: Simply wedge or balance the coral frag in crevices or gaps in the live rock.

• Pros: 100% natural, zero chemicals, no prep required.

• Cons: Less secure; coral may move during cleaning or water flow; slower natural attachment.

What If the Rock Is Already in the Water?

No problem! Both reef-safe super glue gel and epoxy putty are designed to activate and solidify underwater. Simply apply them directly to submerged rocks — the coral will stick, and the glue or putty hardens in seconds to minutes.

How Long Does It Take to Hardening?

• Super glue gel: Solidifies in 10–30 seconds, fully cured within a few minutes.

• Epoxy putty: Initial hardening in 5–10 minutes, fully set in ~1 hour.

Over time, the coral itself will grow and naturally attach to the rock, creating a permanent bond.

Which Method Is Best for Beginners?

• Easiest/fastest: Reef-safe super glue gel — works underwater, quick to apply, ideal for small to medium corals.

• Best for heavy or uneven surfaces: Aquarium epoxy putty — provides strong, stable support for large piece corals.

• Optional: No-glue method — works if you have natural gaps and want a 100% chemical-free approach.

Recommendation for Beginners

• Introduce one coral at a time to monitor growth.

• Use small amounts of glue/putty — less is more.

• Always use reef-safe products to protect your tank inhabitants.

• Be patient — even if it looks fragile at first, corals will attach naturally over time.

Always Use Reef-Safe Products

When attaching corals to your live rock, it's crucial to use reef-safe adhesives to ensure the health and safety of your aquarium's inhabitants. Reef-safe products are specifically designed to be non-toxic and safe for use in marine and freshwater aquariums.

Where to Buy Reef-Safe Adhesives

You can find reef-safe super glue gels and aquarium epoxy putties at various reputable online retailers:

• Bulk Reef Supply: Offers a range of reef-safe adhesives, including their own brand of extra-thick gel super glue and epoxy putties.

• Aquarium Co-Op: Known for their aquarium-safe super glue gel, which is ideal for attaching plants and corals.

• Amazon: A wide selection of reef-safe adhesives from various brands, allowing for easy comparison and customer reviews. And more…

Step 5: Daily & Weekly Maintenance Schedule for Corals

A successful reef aquarium depends on consistency. Small, regular actions keep water stable, prevent algae, and help your corals grow beautifully.

Daily Routine

1. Check Equipment

• Make sure your heater, filter, and lights are working.

• Confirm temperature stays between 77–79°F.

2. Observe Your Corals and Fish

• Open polyps and normal color = healthy.

• Closed or shrinking corals may signal stress, lighting issues, or poor water quality.

3. Top Off Evaporated Water
Use fresh RO/DI water (not saltwater) to replace what evaporates daily. This keeps salinity stable at 1.025–1.026 SG.

• Automatic top-off (ATO) systems make this process easier and more precise.

4. Feed (if needed)
Most soft corals absorb nutrients from the water and don’t require daily feeding. However, LPS and non-photosynthetic corals can benefit from targeted feeding 1–3 times per week.

• Use reef-safe foods like coral powder or phytoplankton.

• Turn off pumps for 10–15 minutes during feeding.

Weekly Routine

1. Test Water Parameters
Keep a log of your readings. Ideal ranges:

• Temperature: 77–79°F

• Salinity: 1.025–1.026 SG

• pH: 8.0–8.3

• Alkalinity: 8–10 dKH

• Nitrate: <15 ppm

• Calcium: 400–450 ppm

• Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm

If something is off, make small corrections — stability is more important than perfection.

2. Clean Glass and Remove Algae
Use a magnetic scraper or soft sponge to clean glass. Remove algae from rocks if needed. Avoid harsh scrubbing that could damage coral tissue.

3. Change Water
Do a 10–15% water change weekly (or biweekly in stable tanks).

• Mix new saltwater at least 24 hours in advance.

• Match the same temperature and salinity as your tank water.

• Siphon detritus from the sand or sump area.

Fresh water keeps nutrients balanced and replenishes trace elements that corals use for growth.

4. Check Flow and Lighting

• Make sure all pumps and wavemakers are running smoothly.

• Clean pump intakes to prevent clogging.

• Inspect lights for salt buildup on lenses or covers.

Tip: Adjust coral placement gradually if you notice changes in color or polyp extension.

Monthly Maintenance

• Replace filter media (carbon, floss, etc.).

• Clean pumps and skimmers thoroughly.

• Inspect coral growth — frag or trim if needed.

• Calibrate salinity and pH meters.

Step 6: Long-Term Coral Growth and Upgrade Guide

Once your reef tank is stable and your first corals are thriving, you’ve entered the most rewarding part of the hobby — long-term coral growth. This is where patience, planning, and small improvements make all the difference.

1. Understanding Coral Growth

Corals grow by depositing calcium carbonate skeletons (for stony corals) or expanding tissue (for soft corals). Their growth rate depends on:

• Water stability (temperature, alkalinity, and calcium).

• Lighting quality — consistent spectrum and intensity.

• Flow — keeps tissue clean and supports nutrient exchange.

• Nutrition — trace elements, amino acids, and low but stable nitrate levels.

coralSLover® Recommendation : Corals don’t grow fast overnight — even small, steady growth is a success.

2. When to Upgrade

Many reef keepers eventually want to keep larger, more demanding corals like LPS or SPS species.
You’ll know it’s time to upgrade when:

• Your soft corals or zoas are overgrowing the rockwork.

• You want to keep species needing stronger light or flow.

• You’ve mastered water testing and coral placement.

Upgrade options:

• Move to a larger aquarium (40–100 gallons).

• Add a sump for more filtration and equipment space.

• Install reef-grade lighting (AI Prime, Radion, or Kessil).

• Include a protein skimmer and auto top-off system for stable water quality.

3. Adding New Coral Types

Once your system is mature (usually after 6–9 months), you can carefully introduce more advanced corals:

• LPS (Large Polyp Stony) Corals: Acan, Hammer, Torch, Frogspawn — moderate light, gentle flow, occasional feeding.

• SPS (Small Polyp Stony) Corals: Montipora, Acropora, Birdsnest — high light, strong flow, excellent stability required.

Add new corals slowly and observe each one for several days before adding another.

4. Supplementing and Feeding

As your coral load increases, your tank will consume more elements.
Monitor and maintain:

• Calcium: 400–450 ppm

• Alkalinity: 8–10 dKH

• Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm

Use reef supplements or a two-part dosing system to keep levels balanced.

Feed corals 2–3 times per week with:

• Reef roids or coral powder

• Phytoplankton

• Amino acid supplements

Turn off pumps for 10–15 minutes while feeding to ensure maximum absorption.

5. Managing Growth and Fragging

Healthy corals grow and may start to touch or shade each other.

• Trim or frag corals to control shape and size.

• Use coral cutters or a small bone saw for stony species.

• Reattach frags with reef-safe glue or epoxy putty — or sell/trade them!

coralSLover Tip: Coral propagation is a great way to grow your collection and share your success.

6. Keep Learning & Enjoy the Process

Every tank is unique — even experienced reefers are always learning.

• Watch coral color and polyp extension for health cues.

• Keep a simple logbook of parameters, lighting, and feeding.

• Join reef forums or local clubs to exchange experiences.

Remember: the key to a beautiful reef isn’t speed — it’s stability and care.

coralSLover® Final Note:

Consistency is the real secret to success. A few minutes each day and a little care each week will reward you with bright colors, active polyps, and a thriving reef environment.

Your reef is more than just an aquarium — it’s a living ecosystem. Whether you start with soft corals or aim for a thriving SPS collection, your patience and consistency will define your success.

At coralSLover®, we’re proud to help you every step of the way with aquacultured, sustainably grown corals and expert guidance to make your reef thrive naturally.