How To Set Up A Saltwater Aquarium For Beginners

#SaltwaterAquarium #AquariumSetup
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0:00 Introduction
0:26 Choosing a tank: big or small
1:50 Where to setup
3:05 Preparing your tank
3:46 Plumbing
5:02 Aquascaping & sand
8:02 Adding water
9:59 Sump & filtration
14:26 Lighting
15:16 Flow
15:53 Adding your first fish
17:40 Aquarium cover
18:18 Closing

[@ReefDork]

Looking for a budget setup? Here's a $182 setup guide - kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3bGdGdvr5x3hKs

[@mu7496]

😂 me too

[@enzomontini758]

Not gunna lie most youtubers would of dragged this out in to 10 episodes great short vid

[@thestrawman1429]

This guide is great but i think a welcome addition to a total newbie would be to explain what each and every part of the system does so we can understand the system as a whole too and what parts of the equipment do. I'm assuming this guide is for those progressing from having more basic systems.

[@kadenstimpson3167]

Agreed. I struggle to learn how to do things if I don't understand the reasons for why things are done the way they are

[@joelalbertoazcona5588]

☝🏼

[@bluandtaylor]

That's what I thought too. I'm a complete newbie. So I'm sort of lost already.

[@yossarian00]

@@kadenstimpson3167 I think that's a good trait to have, even if it can be frustrating at times. All manners of curiosity are a good thing in my opinion.

[@patrickhanlon932]

The humor really brings this video to the next level. Good stuff.

[@Thtguymoe]

Great video Alex! Always love seeing tank set up and build videos. Looking forward to the rest of this series.

[@davidhughes7180]

Best one-stop saltwater set up video on KZbin! Years of experience and research condensed in to 18mins. Follow this and you won't go wrong. We'll done @Reefdork, what a guy.

[@ReefDork]

🤣 Cheers David

[@assaf85]

Another great video from Reef Dork! I've been following your channel for a very long time now, Reef aquariums are my "passive youtube hobby" - and one day I might gonna buy me one. This video is definitely on top of my lists as a tutorials on how to do it correctly!

[@m0tek]

Thanks , gotta love the seal subliminal messages

[@StackAquatics]

Most helpful video I’ve seen for setting up a new tank! 👏🏻

[@davidlee9262]

im really surprised that this video is so helpful in every way. it was really hard for me to understand how reef tank works from other youtubers but this video really explained everything that i need to know to have a reef tank. I just subscribed to your channel!

[@delaneykryan]

I am a really big fan of your commentary! thank you for your videos

[@strhandmade]

Have freshwater tanks over a decade, and just before New Year somehow reef tanks appeared in my feed and i always knew one day i will go there :) I think time has come :D Such videos is especially helpful! Thanks, subscribed and going through your content :)

[@eracli0]

Did you set one up?!

[@benjaminbelgium89]

Great video! Accurate information and humorous narration. Look forward to the next one!

[@LewisWiddowson]

Good video. Lots of little extra tips most videos won't contain, magnet trick with the sand - brilliant.

[@thomashinchliffe6375]

"water tight seal" 🦭😂😂. Love it

[@jxj5924]

great video as usual. I'm starting to plan my first reef tank so good timing on this one.

[@arthurayers5044]

You just inspired me to try saltwater again. I see where I failed the first time. I thank you very much for all the information in this video. I love that you indexed the video. The extra effort shows, not just yanking your chain here.

[@ReefDork]

Thanks, glad you liked it

[@adatewithnature8333]

i love the hilarious things he says in such a flat voice

[@Sutsamadori97]

THANK god for this series🤗

[@VitRav]

Great video. Enjoyable and not overdone.

[@timothyp.1205]

Thanks for the video, very informative. A lot of new info for me... You seem very well researched!

[@Aquaja]

Great tutorial for starters!!! Compliments from our side!

[@jaysrealreefuk]

A brilliant comprehensive guide for beginners. How much did this setup cost you? Love your channel. Happy New Year to you and your family. 👍

[@ReefDork]

Costs video to follow next week... 😁

[@persian9259]

So much good info in this video, best I've seen

[@DadHD]

As usual, great video. Officially starting my cycle on Sunday but some not so lively hitchhikers on my rock seem to have decided to get it going before then! 😂

[@peteredie9108]

Just a quick note, its actually not important the tank is level stress wise. Obviously appearance wise you want it to be level, but you should never worry about your tank busting apart or leaking from being unlevel. You just want to make sure the bottom of the tank is evenly supported. Thanks to static fluid pressure, the forces on the tank only depend on head height, and apply evenly in every direction. You could have a tank be 45 degrees off and the tank will still be totally safe.

[@kellygordon103]

The failed silicone joints on my tank disagree. When not level, you put more stress on those joints.

[@Saltyaquarium]

Another nice video! Well done!

[@chiraagshetty7164]

Who saw the seal?😂

[@Brandon9856]

I had to go back to make sure i wasnt going crazy XD

[@medelpascual7212]

@@Brandon9856 lmfao

[@MegaFickles]

Great video. I have that fish tank myself, it was the first one I bought. I got anxiety though from the lack of QT on the clowns. I suffered a velvet outbreak a few months in my journey and that is when I bought a second tank for QT.

[@haymatr]

That was a good and easily understandable tutorial for beginners keep it up

[@tyronedean1812]

Absolutely cracking video… I’m looking to purchase my first take very soon. Either a Red Sea Reefer 250xl or a 350…. This video was by far the best breakdown for what I need and why… thank you.. really appreciate #nervous #excited #nocluewhatimdoing

[@robchallis2423]

Great and helpful video thank you .

[@getreefed3653]

i bought the same tank second hand 2 days ago lol great timing on the serious. would love to see how you would integrate a filter sock or cup onto this system

[@zacs.4024]

Amazing video. Love it!

[@DeeFromBrooklyn]

Very good instruction. Well done

[@richardportelli1983]

Aqua one mini reefs are really under rated! They are a great looking tank for what you pay for them!

[@umar]

It's a great start for my project. I would love you do a next video for Introduction to Sump, Filteration GFO Carbon or Crush coral filteration along with how to start introducing corals without hitting hard with Algae.. 👍🏽 Loving the Beginner Playlist aswell..

[@Pyraus]

Hey you're great at this, I wish you luck on your channel sir

[@MogsysAquarium]

Love the video, so intuitive and easy for beginners to follow and set-up there first Aquarium,

[@Arizona9001]

Lube on the hinges. Genius, will do now.

[@Chris_topher1117]

Nobody likes you

[@tracytaylor2943]

Really funny & enjoyed this tutorial.... very helpful too thanks :) :)

[@thetipsycookery8268]

Love the video! That light is definitely not cheap 🤣

[@righteyeblink8996]

Thank you for this ♻🌼

[@paulsmith6267]

Very informative

[@marcuswebb21]

Best Beginner video ever very comprehensive. Great Job Alex👍

[@Ffollies]

Back in the 80s when I had a saltwater aquarium, my first two fish were damselfishes. One looked very similar to the blue one at 16:08 the other one was a striped damselfish about the same size but a different shape. From what I remember the striped one was pretty aggressive after I added other fish but I don't think the blue one was. I remember a few years later the blue one disappeared. I eventually found his decomposing remains in one of the coral hiding spots. Oh well, he lived a pretty long life for a fish in captivity (a few years)

[@banshee_studios_uk]

The other striped fish you mention sounds like a humbug damsel (Black & white striped) very territorial but really Hardy.

[@Ffollies]

@@banshee_studios_uk I just looked it up and I think you're right. Looks like the fish I had. Even though small, he used to chase the other fish and he lived pretty long too.

[@fluppie19dw]

Damn This is just what I needed, How hard is it to find the right guide! thank you very much Sir,

[@hcaquaticsreefing]

Great video 👍

[@j.walker6845]

Great video

[@ericallen639]

I love how he puts it next to the 🔥 place 😆

[@gentlemanreefer6105]

Happy New Year!

[@capitanjazzsparrow1856]

Great video😉

[@75Curlylion]

Great video. You made me forget about wanting a Saltwater tank.....I'll stay fresh hahaha

[@njmoonfrost6145]

My mom wants a saltwater tank (I do too but don’t tell her XD) so this is a big help and explains a few things

[@hezziedin]

Good sharing

[@Peppym1nt]

That seal jumpscare made me spit my drink XD

[@georgegatti1]

Funny video. Thanks for sharing.

[@AnchorDownBoat]

Subscribed!

[@wilsonline90]

nice to see details like the silicon grease. that should be in the manual.

[@leophiberli8319]

thank u Sir

[@-Wreckanize-]

Great video. Happy New Year. I always put sand first, then rocks. It is risky putting rocks first, if one tumbles, or you drop one, the rock hitting bare glass might not end well. You can always dig around the rock base to ensure the rocks touch the bottom. Love how you didn't drip acclimate the clowns. Even my LFS said just to put the bag in to temp match your aquarium then put the clowns in, they can survive anything.

[@ReefDork]

People advising drip acclimation for fish is my pet peeve!

[@bonesawarm6987]

Rock always before sand sitting on egg crate...then if a fish digs the sand it won’t all crash down

[@josephposada1830]

Bless the Mrs.Reef Dork

[@jacklawer6389]

Gr8 job, thanks

[@jamesoliver3365]

Awesome video! Funny guy and easy to listen to. :) (Just subbed) ;)

[@efegichris]

Most how to set up a marine tank videos stress me out, they all seem way too overwhelming. This one is great!

[@vorname2222]

Really like the fightclub seal!;)

[@ReefDork]

😅

[@leoleal9766]

Lol enjoyable 👍

[@stuartsurrey7391]

Love your videos, keep up the good work young man. 👍

[@aliabu-humos7893]

Recently started my first 20 gallon saltwater tank. I already have everything that I needed such as filter, light, and a power head. I spent $58 for live rock that weighed 10 pounds and I got a 50 pound salt bucket for $40 of chewy, plus hydrometer to test salinity for $8 also off chewy. Currently cycling the tank to speed up the process I used a fluval bacteria starter , however I still lost my pair of clownfish. I should’ve waited for the 3 week mark to test for nitrite then add the clownfish along with bacteria starter. Lesson learned glad I only lost $20 worth of fish. One thing that I found helpful in my old freshwater setup was taking media filter from an old tank and placing it in a new setup to speed the process in half, so I’m going to do that with my saltwater tank and hope for the best. Going bigger is better in saltwater hobby, but those just starting out go with a 20 gallon or even a 40 gallon for better results and fewer fluctuations in water parameters it’ll just cost you a bit more.

[@cdrift]

Istarted mine with Live sand from my local beach. Collected the water from the beach too. 800 litres of water for my 6 foot tank.

[@returnedfavor]

You're going Aquashella Dallas?! Awesome!!

[@neilsreefaquarium9530]

Cracking vid Alex. Look forward to seeing the progress of this one. Done a Tour of our favourite LFS 😀 (On my channel) Got a load of vouchers for Xmas. Giving a corals a break for a while after what happened. Think of risking a Flame Angel or Bluespot Jawfish 2 (Still don’t know how he done it) Happy New Year mate.

[@wan_nur85]

Im gonna do this idea for my 5 gallon gsp puffer tank

[@justinhayslett2711]

Wow! More complicated than I thought! Thank you though.

[@aquaescaping2597]

Cost of salt water set up makes me run miles, but you make it seem easy. Maybe just maybe you may have convinced me.👌

[@annebartells777]

Great video. And, I'm a senior and I still can't build stuff with legos. Good thing my husband is at it good at it or all my aquariums (13) would all be on the floor

[@bonesawarm6987]

My 100G reef tank is ran on a fluval 407 canister with a inline heater and uv steriliser...no sump or skimmer and it’s been thriving for years

[@Venantes1]

About time m8😝

[@maleeqreid494]

U mean me

[@dannyrussell1168]

Thumbs up for the term "carpet surfing".

[@andy2798100]

Thanks so much for making this video. Now I understand how to setup a sump. Still not sure I trust my self to fit the pipe work though. So after using juwel tanks for the past 10 years maybe this is the year i finally get a sumped system. Only issue I have is my clown fish are in an 80cm long juwel tank which is 125 litres. To change to a sump system I would have to buy something like a red sea reefer 170 or aquaone reefsys 180 which are 2ft cubes, so my fish would be going from a narrow rectangle tank to a 2ft square sumped tank so they wouldn’t have as much swimming space.

[@ReefDork]

Clowns wouldn't be bothered about the swimming space I'd guess - they hardly move in most tanks!

[@marksmith566]

You’ll find the clowns will spend 99% of their life’s in one corner no matter what size tank you have!

[@themictionary678]

The seal at 4:12👌

[@ackam521098]

Very, very simple...

[@jasonwright1753]

I just bought a tank, rocks, live sand and nearly ready to fill, this ‘beginners’ guide is overwhelming and makes me think not to even bother

[@EIY_Kumar]

hi alex...big fan..love all your videos.. I'm from India and corals are banned in India.. however tube worm, anemones and other inverts are not.. so can you make a video suggesting creators that can help me create a "non-coral" reef tank

[@courtneykeeps]

I've always wanted to have a saltwater aquarium as they're beautiful but I keep freshwater because it's way simpler and more forgiving. Great video though!

[@Michael_k_DK]

Hey Reef Dork I Saw parkers video today and they showed a very Nice Cade aquarium With Steel stand that was Nice you should have a look on these aquariums one Time

[@makland5534]

I love your videos, ı hope ı can set up a reef tank🥲

[@gasser5001]

I had.... NOOOOOO CLUE... that salt water tanks had this much going on. WOOOOOOOOW! I still want one!

[@awsome2ish]

Why didn't this video exist when I first got into the hobby???

[@zafishguy5166]

If you only want to keep a single damsel however that's a fun tank.

[@elementalsteve9029]

I love how just assumes I have a partner lol

[@ReefDork]

🤣🙂

[@virak8641]

។ៗ

[@Chris_topher1117]

I hate you

[@torchup9256]

Lollll

[@Krfification101]

F

[@matthewrappold1459]

I love damsels:( but honestly they can be a huge pain. I find that if you just keep them together, and have plenty of hiding places they generally don’t cause much harm. Can’t stress enough about keep only damsels or none in a tank this size. Other than that, their hardy, inexpensive, and come in a large variety of colors. They also don’t pester inverts and they don’t mess with corals( usually:()

[@AJBAdventures]

Cracking walkthrough! now having around 9 freshwater aquariums, I'm getting a little temptation to start a small saltwater tank, is there a simpler setup that could be done I.e. without a sump and protein skimmer etc? thanks Aaron

[@ReefDork]

Yep, plenty of all in one tanks available - check out the red sea max nano

[@thereefingspider3282]

Love this channel. Glad I don’t have any kids to hear my swear words while I’m working on my tanks.

[@andrewmorrison2798]

Absolutely brilliant video. I have just set up a marine tank (beginning of December) but having problems with nitrate its sky high what do you suggest. Ammonia is 0 and nitrite is about 1 on the salifert test kits would really like some help.

[@ReefDork]

Sounds like the cycle isn't complete yet - just ride it out until nitrite is 0. Don't worry about nitrates for the moment either - it's not a problem in my opinion 🙂

[@jwoodard621]

Hi there how much salt for 12 litre tank for brine shrimp please its just the set up of the salt water thankyou so much for your video 😀

[@MrTheNakedJape]

Great video. Really enjoyed watching your videos over the last few months. I’m currently cycling a Aqua One 180. I’ve pondered not using the filter sock that came with it, and just using the skimmer (BM 3.5) that I bought to go in post-cycling. What are your thoughts?

[@ReefDork]

I had one of these a few years ago and hated the socks! They clog really quickly and are a hassle to change. Curve 3.5 is a decent skimmer though. The middle section of the sump is great for a refugium...

[@MrTheNakedJape]

@@ReefDork I’ve been wondering how I’d get a refugium in there, as that’s where I think the skimmer is needing to go. Could I set one up in the same chamber? I’ve also looked at how I’d possibly get a roller mat machine in that chamber too, but I’m not sure whether I’d need one. Trying to plan as much as I can, and not make rushed decisions.

[@ReefDork]

@@MrTheNakedJape you definitely don't need one but I personally love them! The trouble with a skimmer and fuge together is the skimmer will get covered in algae and strands will probably clog the skimmer too. Can be done though

[@michaelfisher6260]

hello, excellent video as always, but can you tell me where you brought your fish trap that you use in your Peninsular tank please

[@ReefDork]

I got it from my lfs, ReefKeeper Windsor. But it's made by Aqua Medic.

[@JamesBrown-fy1zb]

Hey Reef Dork, great videos and they have fully inspired me to get my own tank. Been preparing and sorting equipment for the past 3-4 months. I’m starting out with a Red Sea Max Nano and just had two quick queries following your video. 1. You mention not turning your skimmer on or having a filer going initially to allow the bacteria to settle BUT when should you turn it on? When the cycle is complete? 2. Would it be safe to put my fish (two clowns) in at the same time I add my water? (Once it is at temperature etc) even if it is cloudy?

[@ReefDork]

Technically the best answer is probably when you have a reading of nitrate. But I'd just turn it on after a few days (I always do)

[@JamesBrown-fy1zb]

@@ReefDork thanks :-) great videos too always very informative

[@Pewchat]

Bạn làm hay lắm chúc bạn luôn thành công nhé

[@Rafilkis]

Nice video... Any about how to do a cover ?

[@ReefDork]

I haven't made a video, but most covers are pretty easy to put together...