Reef Buddy

Interactive guide

Start a reef tank with confidence, step by step.

This guide takes you from planning to stable parameters, with a checklist you can tick off and print for hands-on work.

View the steps

Key stages

Each phase helps avoid common pitfalls and keeps the tank stable from the start.

  1. Step 1 Week 0

    Plan the tank and equipment

    Define volume, placement, and budget to avoid stability compromises.

    • Pick a tank size (bigger means more stability).
    • Confirm space, access to water, and maintenance clearance.
    • List essentials: tank, skimmer, heater, flow, lighting.
    • Plan consumables (salt, test kits, RO/DI).
  2. Step 2 Day 1

    Build and fill

    Set up cleanly for a low-stress first fill.

    • Rinse sand and rock with RO/DI water.
    • Build the aquascape and secure the rockwork.
    • Mix saltwater to target salinity (1.025).
    • Start filtration and check flow.
  3. Step 3 Weeks 1 to 4

    Start the cycle

    Let biology establish before adding livestock.

    • Test ammonia, nitrite, nitrate weekly.
    • Fine-tune flow and temperature (24-26°C).
    • Avoid early water changes.
    • Watch for early microfauna.
  4. Step 4 Weeks 4 to 6

    First livestock

    Introduce hardy species slowly.

    • Add a clean-up crew (snails, detritivores).
    • Introduce a first resilient fish.
    • Keep tracking nitrate and phosphate.
    • Log every addition in a journal.
  5. Step 5 Weeks 6+

    Stabilize and grow

    Increase diversity and dial in chemistry.

    • Add easy corals (softies, LPS).
    • Stabilize KH, Ca, and Mg with routine tests.
    • Build a weekly maintenance rhythm.
    • Tune lighting as growth ramps up.

Printable checklist

Tick each item as you go. Use the print button for a paper version during setup.

Before filling

Day 1

Biological cycle

First additions

Stabilization

Track everything with Reef Buddy

Keep your measurements, notes, and reminders organized from day one.

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