16 Tips For Successful Saltwater Aquariums

[@ughlguess1993]

Tip#12 - I picked you for my source of information when I set up last year. Probably the best choice I've made in this hobby!

[@HelloReef]

Well that is one of the nicest things anybody has ever said about me! Thank you! :-) -Matthew

[@juli8vdberg562]

I just received my first ever micro tank to start learning about SW tanks as a freshwater gal for years; I only want SPS corals and once I learn much in a year or two, I will buy a Red Sea max tank and go for a beautiful reef tank with no more than 3 fish if at all .. thank you so much teaching me how to do this

[@HelloReef]

That is too kind of you, and best of luck with your new tank! You may just become addicted to this hobby like the rest of us! :-)

[@ferrarireef]

Tip 12 is SO TRUE! There are so many reefers who portray success and aren't transparent with their mistakes which is very misleading. I also find showing your 'failures' (something that EVERY reefer comes across) is also a great learning opportunity for others!

[@HelloReef]

totally agree! :-) Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!

[@WistyFish]

I feel like we need a category between beginner and intermediate. I’m intermediate in freshwater, and have been learning about salt on and off for years. So this kind of “not quite beginner” content is perfect for me. Intermedi-ish? Lol

[@HelloReef]

Haha, I know what you mean! It's kind of a tough category to fill! :-)

[@Wildman0516]

Question? I have a 120 gallon tank I bought and it has a center brace and had a 55 in the past that the brace got broke on and was wondering if I should do something about it on this tank because I have 3 ai prime 16s and it will mess that up. What should I do?

[@HelloReef]

Great question, can't answer without some more details. Shoot Matthew an email at [e-mail] with some pictures and more detail, and he'll get right back to you.

[@Jonnyuk365]

Great video, all good advice,

[@HelloReef]

Thanks Jonny! 😀

[@shipmate3577]

Is that a Sinn EZM 12 watch?

[@HelloReef]

Haha, it’s not but I’d like one!😀

[@shipmate3577]

@@HelloReef Fortis M44? I would guess an aquarium guy would be sporting a Doxa Sub 300.

[@HelloReef]

Tissot Sideral S Regatta. Love that watch!

[@Arborpress]

Main advice I give people who are scared to get into saltwater. It's as easy or challenging as you want to make it. You don't 'need' all the fancy gear; you don't 'need' to have Acropora or clams or that NPS gorgonian.. but man does it all start looking reaaaaal nice once you start getting the hang of things lol.

[@HelloReef]

Great advice and so true!!!😀

[@BigZu423]

quick question. what is a good low profile reef light that wont light up my entire living room lol

[@joshweaver4729]

Ai blade 100% id go with the grow personally, I use 4 for fill lights and they’re great and one of the cheapest price per par lights in the market

[@BigZu423]

@@joshweaver4729 thanks man iv been looking at those that might be what i go with

[@HelloReef]

Totally agree with @joshweaver4729. It’s actually the light that comes with the kit.

[@Mike14U2NV]

Uhh I’m always watching your videos and others on here but never pull the trigger to get a salt water aquarium. I have 14 freshwater aquarium and have been in the hobby for years. 😂 maybe one day 😅

[@HelloReef]

Haha! Maybe one day the salty side will sink its claws in! We will be here to welcome you with open arms!

[@jeffreyrijkers1856]

I always thought saltwater would be for "elite's" bit now i keep a few hermit crabs in a 10 gallon. The thing with the elabarate equipment is mostly for the corals. de clownfish are the easyest. Just give it a try

[@_Clayton.Bigsby_]

I was the same way, then I just dove in with a 40 breeder to try it. No fancy gear, literally started it about two months ago with a sponge filter and some powerheads. I've since upgraded the mechanical filtration to a tidal 55 and will be adding an aquaclear 110 that I plan on converting into a refugium. I've got a decent stocking list, and a few softies and LPS, and I've had no fish mortality and my corals are growing. Just do it, bro. It's worth it.

[@HelloReef]

totally agree!

[@HelloReef]

This is perfect. I can't tell you how happy it makes me to hear when others realize SW aquariums can be affordable and easy! Congrats on the new tank!

[@Merknilash]

You still doing BRS?

[@HelloReef]

Absolutely. HelloReef is actually owned by the same parent company so I move around a bit!

[@xenic0770]

Love your content! I bought a 15 gallon IM a couple months before you launched Hello Reef. What UV do you recommend for the 15 cubes?

[@ivanyb98]

Not necessary for that size tank

[@HelloReef]

thanks that is super kind of you! I've had many IM tanks and still have their 40 long setup. So, let me be clear. You don't need a UV sterilizer. I have many tanks without them and they work great. It might just be that I feel better knowing that certain pathogens and bacteria are not able to reproduce as quickly in my. But, that being said... if you want to try one, this is the one I use on my HelloReef tank. tinyurl.com/yck2h2uv

[@HelloReef]

You are definitely correct! Have you ever used a uv sterilizer and if so, when would you recommend it?

[@xenic0770]

@@HelloReef that’s the one I was thinking about getting but I wasn’t sure about where the pump would fit. I’m guessing right in the middle chamber in the back?

[@xenic0770]

@@HelloReef I've only ever used the cheap 'UV lights' on my bigger AIO (60 gal). My fresh water I used to use the Green Machines whenever I got an algae bloom, but that was few and far between.

[@darksidevenom6]

talk about silent selling that little tank behind him lol

[@HelloReef]

:-). What can I say... It's a good tank! Thanks for commenting!

[@bobmcrae1178]

What happened to brs

[@HelloReef]

Nothing at all! I work for their parent company Aperture so I move in between the brands! 😀

[@ReveReef]

😊💪

[@HelloReef]

:-)

[@rahatilkhan9160]

Tip no 14 seems like bad advice. A beginner who wants into the hobby needs to start small and build their way up. They can start with let’s say 20 gallon , master that and upgrade to a 40 gallon and so on. Someone with no knowledge starting with a 100 gallon is a very big gamble and possibly a money drain. Very wishful advice to be honest.

[@HelloReef]

Totally get that feedback. I can't disagree with you. I also think that for some people, it's better to wait to get what they truly want then to start with something smaller. Plus, typically it is advised that beginners start with larger tanks, since they are considered "easier". Now I'm not sure if I agree with that, but a larger water volume does make chemistry and temperature swings less dramatic. You make a valid point nonetheless. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment.

[@joshweaver4729]

Kinda disagree bro, bigger the system the easier it is to keep stable parameters. My 35 cube has given me more headaches than my innovative marine 100 ever has.

[@821702feb]

I must disagree with that to a point I've had great success running 100g plus tanks and had the worst luck with anything under 40g

[@xenic0770]

@@joshweaver4729 You're so right. I have 3 IM tanks. 60SR, 15Cube, 14 Peninsula. The money I spent on those three tanks easily would have let me get a 100+ system.

[@HelloReef]

@joshweaver4729 Can't disagree with you. I really do think there are pros and cons to each. For example, with my old 120 gallon tank, I got lazy and things went to crap. It was so much work to take care of each week, and when something went wrong, it was a huge pain. But with my 15 gallon tank, weekly 40% water changes are just so easy, and because of that, I just do more maintenance. But, your point is 100% valid!