How To Setup A Saltwater Aquarium // Build A Tropical Reef Tank // New Step By Step For Beginners

[@ReefSYS]

Matthew Your a great asset to the Reefing Community. Somebody has to look after the newbies. Keep it up.

[@MyFirstFishTank]

That is really kind of you, I mean it. Thanks for your time in watching and commenting. It's people like you that keep me going making content for beginners!

[@ReefSYS]

Iv got your back. Ever need some backup from a real world average Joe reefer hit me up. Reef.sys on Instagram. Ian

[@ReefSYS]

I don’t actually know what’s going on here?

[@Treasuremonk]

Best video so far ! Wanting to start a reef saltwater tank,, correct! Overwhelmed! Ugh

[@InfuriousCoffee]

honestly this is the first look into saltwater set ups for me. I was a bit scared off by all the other builds i've seen. This is a well planned out video. thank you

[@MyFirstFishTank]

That's awesome to hear!

[@michaelborkowski3333]

I'm here for 1st time, exact place you were 2 years ago. How's the journey

[@InfuriousCoffee]

@michaelborkowski3333 I got into some financial issues so I still haven't been able to get one going. I even had to see my freshwater set ups

[@sporcu1175]

I have literally been looking for a video like this for months. This is why I subscribed to u

[@MyFirstFishTank]

Sweet! Thanks!! I also make lots of beginner videos for Bulk Reef Supply, so check them out too!

[@Pokeepogo]

This was so comprehensive, and I'm so excited to use this and other videos to setup my first saltwater tank... a mantis tank!

[@MyFirstFishTank]

Glad it was helpful! Can't wait to see the mantis tank!!!!

[@elliothockley1746]

I’m building my first salt water aquarium and your videos are helping a ton. Thank you 👍

[@MyFirstFishTank]

Glad to help

[@xanderjones2747]

Preparing to setup my first saltwater tank and all your content is so helpful, thank you!

[@charlesfranklin3533]

I Find the Information You Gave as Very Inspiring. Keep Up The Great Work You Channel is the Best.

[@MyFirstFishTank]

I appreciate that!

[@ComputerGuyAndy]

This is the first basic saltwater 'how to' that actually left me feeling as though I have enough information to start.

[@CrabsEatHumans]

I hope you guys stick with this page, you really seem helpful. Gonna be starting mine after a little more education. Thank you

[@MyFirstFishTank]

Thanks Jonathan, we hope we stick with it too!

[@RogueAquariums]

A nice step by step process for people getting started. Great job Matthew

[@MyFirstFishTank]

Glad you think so Darren! Thanks for watching and commenting as usual! You da man!

[@RogueAquariums]

@@MyFirstFishTank 😁

[@AdamNajak1]

A great simple step by step guide thanks for sharing

[@MyFirstFishTank]

Thanks Adam! I hope it encourages beginners to keep learning more! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@socialmoth4974]

My niece bought my daughter a 3-gallon tank and a betta for her birthday. Two years later, we have a 5 gallon for the betta and his snail friend, and a 20 gallon for more fish and snails. Now, I really want to set up a 60 gal salt tank in our living room.

[@MyFirstFishTank]

Yup... Sounds like it is time! :-). I love betta fish tanks! What are you thinking about for the 60 gallon?

[@socialmoth4974]

@@MyFirstFishTank A salt water one. :) Gonna use your guide to set up, but it won't be until at least a year or two from now. Just doing my research until then.

[@goatslayer5957]

Wow super helpful resources, many thanks!

[@WalkWithNani]

Wow 🤩 I’m gonna build my first saltwater tank ...after my quarantine in Taiwan 🇹🇼😍...looking forward to it

[@MyFirstFishTank]

Woot woot, be sure to send me pictures. And if you have any questions let me know!

[@Gardis72]

I considered this hobby last year, but when I did the research, I realized what a total commitment this is. It's not suitable for someone who travels, or who spends winters in a warmer climate. This seems like a wonderful hobby, but totally consuming and potentially very expensive. Good luck with it.

[@jakem.3109]

Great video. Thank you

[@bradleyrudgers8274]

Great video im not a noob but I watched the whole video

[@MyFirstFishTank]

That's such nice feecback! I'm glad it was entertaining enough to hold your attention! Thanks for watching!

[@mollyscores]

I love this so much and I love the website but where did it go

[@eastnjman368]

Good video as always

[@MyFirstFishTank]

Appreciate that!

[@spinster4000]

As someone who is just getting into this saltwater hobby (i hopped over from fresh after like.. 3 years of doing it) this was nice, my plan is to buy the Fluval Flex 32.5 Gallon (saltwater version) and I just mostly needed to know what other equipment I should pick up, I am going to get the PS2 skimmer for it but other than that what else would I need if it is my first saltwater tank?

[@tylerneal5390]

a very well done video. I sadly have a 75 gallon glass tank its undrilled. I have Instant ocean reef salt the only problem is im not doing a reef system im doing a fish only system with peaceful fish. What would be a better salt brand for this kind of set up? Filter wise i only have an FX 4 canister filter

[@MyFirstFishTank]

Using instant ocean is totally fine. I know plenty of hobbyists who use it and it works great! And canister filters can work just fine for this hobby!

[@tylerneal5390]

@@MyFirstFishTank wow so much i did not even think about. Now when it comes to rock im looking for a good purple looking rock that dose not have any pest im thinking of going with ether CaribSea LifeRock Original or Walt Smith 2.1 Reef Rock . what matters to me is wanting it to look good from the start and i dont really want to use rock that is pure white

[@tylerneal5390]

@@MyFirstFishTank I really dont know what fish can stay in a 75 gallon. My dream fish is Coral beauty angel or the Flame angel another fish i would love to try to keep is yellow tang i dont know if they can stay in a 75.

[@11bdave]

What was the black board that you connected all your power strips to

[@MyFirstFishTank]

It's this control board from MD. www.marinedepot.com/partners/idevaffiliate.php?id=102&url=3891. It's awesome!

[@briananuvattanachai6646]

What would you say is the tank size where having it on a 2nd floor is a concern?

[@davenaheard4843]

I have no fish tank experience at all but I want a salt water tank so bad but it’s so much to learn 😢

[@MyFirstFishTank]

You can do it! One step at a time! Go for a simple tank with a clownfish to start! I'm here to help with whatever questions you have. You can alway email me at [e-mail]

[@goatslayer5957]

Im a fan of the fluval 123 for my first tank but im concerned with the lighting. A lot of reefers place their lights quite high im guessing to distribute it. But with the stock fluval it is built into the lid, would this be a problem? I would like to grow a variety of coral and i like the fluval 123 for its built in filter!

[@DadHD]

During the leak test I thought you had a bunch of eels escaping from the tank! 😂😂😂

[@MyFirstFishTank]

:-)!!!

[@earcandies44]

Hi I want to keep a saltwater aquarium. I go on a holiday for a month each year. How to take care when i am away for so long? Feeding is not an issue as we can get a feeder controlled through an app.

[@noonado]

I have a question.. are there any species of fish that are okay with loud music? I am wanting to put a tank in my studio but I don't want to stress out any fish/shrimp if I were to get any.. Great video! Thank you

[@alexesco1521]

Math is a lot agresive on my tank is up to the aqua scape they fight for the cave?

[@yhaquariums4985]

What is the shark in the tank 3:38

[@MyFirstFishTank]

I have no idea. I took that footage at a reefing convention a couple years ago!

[@mac247ca]

Hi! I have a question. During the cycle the pump is on? And filter is in place?

[@MyFirstFishTank]

Hi Mac, that's a great question. During the cycle definitely have the pump on, and have the mechanical filtration in place. But there's no reason to turn on your protein skimmer at this point.

[@paolosubaric9615]

Hello I need info about saltwater aquarium. Can I use sea water in my aquarium ? If yes Is there some procedure about putting it in, what do I need to look out for ? I live in Croatia we have a pretty clean sea water, so what do you think ?

[@ianshepherd6336]

Thank you, that’s taken the angst out of beginning...

[@MyFirstFishTank]

Great to hear Ian!

[@420trade7]

Ayooo what kind of clown fish are those in beginning of video they gorgeous 😮

[@blahhhh000]

How can I do a leak test on a used aquarium that does have some algae?

[@jaredescobar7898]

How the heck did you build that multi-clown tank? That’s wild.

[@pauldeacon8764]

Hi! you know you have a Fluval m90 tank there, does it use a lot of electricity to run please? I have the excact same tank but it used that much electricity that I had to turn it off & it's a real shame because I really love the marine hobby! 👍

[@MyFirstFishTank]

Hey Paul, a good question. I'm not sure actually. I don't use any of the stock equipment it came with. I changed out everything from pumps to lights. I can't imagine it uses too much electricity since it's a small pump and LED lights, but I really can't say for certain. If you want to locate what's using all of the electricity, check your lights, pumps, wavemakers, and heaters using one of these amzn.to/3r3nsxk

[@kevinwhite1077]

do I do a water change when my tank is in cycle

[@MyFirstFishTank]

Yes, always a good idea after the tank he cycled. Helps remove nitrates. I like to do a 25-50% water change after the cycle is done.

[@sidz8975]

So what advise would u have for a guy who moves frequently (every 2-3 years) for a living? Get into it. Or hang on till I anchor at some place someday.

[@MyFirstFishTank]

Either. If you want to get into it, just stay small. I've, moved several tanks, all under 40 gallons. It is a pain, but definitely doable. Don't go big though, because then it becomes an ordeal. Say under 70 gallons for sure, and the even easier, 20 gallons!

[@johannvincentmantilla1620]

can you just add natural seawater ? I live close to the sea. please answer I'm a beginner

[@MyFirstFishTank]

Potentially yes. Make sure your local laws and ordinances allow it... Then make sure you collect from a clean area with no pollution, no boat oils, no sewage runnoff, no plastics... etc.

[@johannvincentmantilla1620]

@@MyFirstFishTank tfortunately my place is a tropical paradise so the water is very clean. Thanks !!

[@CreatorHouseVlogs]

I want a fish tank for clown fish how big should it be

[@MyFirstFishTank]

Well, you can probably go with 15 gallons or higher for a pair of clownfish. I have a 14 gallon peninsula tank next to my desk that I'm putting in a pair of clowns. But watch them closely. I've had a pair of clowns in my 20 gallon tank, and the larger one wouldn't stop bullying the smaller one, so I eventually had to move the small one.

[@unounv]

The website won’t load ?

[@josephposada1830]

Marine Depot is great back up

[@MyFirstFishTank]

For sure right?!?!

[@josephposada1830]

@@MyFirstFishTank Absolutely 💯%

[@josephposada1830]

@@MyFirstFishTank My first Saltwater tank is up and cycling now. I took the plunge. You and quite a few others helped so much. Thank you

[@MyFirstFishTank]

OMG that's awesome! send me some pictures!! contact (@) myfirstfishtank (.com)

[@MrDon967]

how about a budget guide for a 120g reef?

[@MyFirstFishTank]

That's a really good idea. I'l add that to the list. My biggest piece of advice for a 120 gallon tank, scour Craigslist, Facebook, Offer Up, etc... And find a used tank. You can usually get it for a few hundred or even free if you are willing to pick it up and clean it. That will save you at least $2000 right there!

[@MrDon967]

@@MyFirstFishTank sweet i'll keep an eye out i want to set it up before summer so by the end of the year i can have a semi reef maybe :D

[@MyFirstFishTank]

For sure!

[@nic6754]

Really awesome vid. Don't own a tank....yet....but you have not at all scared me off. However, big question, the more i watch regarding reef tanks, the conflicting information i find. Would it be fair to say (within reason ofcourse) that there are no steadfast rules regarding seawater/reef tanks. Everyone seems to have their own version of what is better. The more i watch the more tricky it seems to be to find steadfast answers on what to do and when. Change water, some say 1 week, some say 3 weeks. Some say use tap water and salt, some say it must be rdohi (sry, forget the exact term) water. Is it cool to say, again, within reason, that what you think is right is right?

[@MyFirstFishTank]

Thanks for the kind words and you are absolutely right. This hobby is half art and half science, and there are very few things that are certain. Different people have success with different methods, and we are constantly learning. My methods are definitely not the only way, but I do try to keep things simple for beginners. But you are definitely correct and it can be frustrating to try to find the answers. The best thing you can do when starting out, is to find somebody you trust, and use them as a starting point. And as you learn more, you can adjust your methods and see what works best for you!

[@martincrazereptiles8477]

Can keep salt water aquarium in shed?

[@MyFirstFishTank]

As long as you can keep the temperature steady!

[@martincrazereptiles8477]

@@MyFirstFishTank okay thanks . I get shed for my reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates and wanted get in to tropical and marine fish

[@clintonhueston8378]

Are you still making videos

[@freakygoblin3068]

Let's not forget the "My First Fish Tank" Q&A beginner livestream on youtube most Saturdays ;)

[@MyFirstFishTank]

A great point indeed!!!😃

[@ΓΡΗΓΟΡΗΣΚ-ψ5β]

Greek subtitles 🙏

[@Jaystarzgaming]

Get some phytoplankton and other sea animals to make the aquarium sustain it’s self

[@MyFirstFishTank]

Yeah, for sure! That is definitely true!

[@stereotypicalginger3916]

I love supporting local businesses but I worked at my local fish store and they treat their employees like garbage so I don’t feel too bad shopping online

[@MyFirstFishTank]

Well that certainly sucks to hear! I don't like it when people are treated poorly!

[@sseeaahhaawwkkssrule975]

DO NOT BUY FIJI PINK UNLESS YOU WANT TO CONSTANTLY HAVE A CLOUDY TANK!!! Fiji Pink is too light and too fine and will constantly get blown around.

[@kickassclone75]

saltwater is nothing more than freshwater with more work. if you can handle a freshwater tank you can do a saltwater tank as well. You can make it as complicated or as easy as you want -the same with freshwater.