How To Setup A Saltwater Tank For Beginners (No Skimmer)

[@ReefDorkXtra]

Should Mike go salty??

[@TechnoNut96]

I don’t know about mike, but this has me just about convinced to dive into the world of salt water!

[@damiantosd8720]

100%

[@Nippa1988]

Definitely, I went straight into marine without ever even owning a goldfish!! This was my tank of choice and in hindsight I'm amazed at how well it done. Upgrades are definitely worth it, in particular the in tank 2nd chamber media basket. Do it Mike!!!!

[@andrewhorner4027]

Agree it’s easy but the fluval light is a bit meh. It will grow Coral but as people progress it’s a waste of penny’s. The filter in the fluval evo stock is all in all s**t for lack of a better word. I’ve got a fluval and to make it worth while you need to spend the same amount you would on a waterbox peninsula 25. And the waterbox filter is much better

[@fitchaj]

The old Mike would. He's changed

[@AdamUS123-j7q]

Is it just me or is watching tank setups just so entertaining! Especially saltwater tanks!

[@gorkong_yt4747]

🙃just you and me

[@ManSkirtBrew]

Thanks for this! I've been running a 27 gallon saltwater tank for over 3 years with just a hang on back Tetra filter, heater, and powerhead. It's not nearly as complicated as we think!

[@artistic_spaz3724]

Had a fluval for my first tank. Great little set up for an intro to the hobby. I miss the simplicity of it but don't miss the small water volume and the problems that came with that 😉

[@Mike-lm6tj]

Had this tank on my to buy list for a few weeks now, glad to see you do a video on how easy it is to get started!

[@tinchytarantula]

I was the same sticking to my freshwater aquarium but then I looked at my old fluval flex aquarium and turned that from an old freshwater Nano tank into a Nano reef tank and am really enjoying every minute of it

[@Sentientmad9m]

I want a salt tank but just don’t have the room to set one up right now. You’ve made me feel a lot more comfortable about approaching a salt tank though

[@richmatty5561]

Tias fluval evo from fragbox corals was amazing

[@sirLukash]

I have this tank with many 3d printed parts I designed: filter sock holder/holder for simple auto-top off, rear media basket (refugium), refugium light, holder for simple cooling fan and temp probe. Along with upgrade to the pump, lamp and circulator I can grow almost any coral I want. Mike it's great tank to start with and gradually upgrade! Reefing is in some regards easier than fresh water. Taking into consideration that there is a nice market for corals you will grow, this hobby can pay for itself if you don't go into rabbit hole of most expensive and latest :)

[@LordNecron]

As funny as it sounds, I think what is in theory making saltwater easier than a freshwater is the fact that you don't really put 'plants' in there, like in Fresh. In freshwater, the equivalent of a 'Zoa Only' mini tank with just differnt Zoas, simple 20W reef LED, and just an Eheim 350 Skim as your 'flow pump' is basically: Tons of stone and roots, low level of gravel, where you put grass of the likes in, then you add some viney thing that you can stuff into crannies in the rockscape or tie/glue to the roots, to grow from/on them..... And then you have to fiddle around with your freshwater (Silicate. Which you filter out with a Silicate filter during RO anyway, normally. Algae nutrient from hell), freshwater plants draw tons of different nutrients that you need to add, water swap does not do jack......wrong balance of the nutrients cause plants to sulk, and our buddy, the Filament Algae comes for a visit again..... Oh, and while in corals, you can put fragstones in, have stuff expand there, then do a slice or just remove the frag to resell later......in freshwater, you have to actively go gardening, to trim and shape your plants, so you don't end up with a dark and lightless mess of ingrown and tangled plants. If you stick with super easy stuff like Zoas, Softies (there's AWESOME ones. It doesn't have to be the Xenia, Briareum, Leather Shroom or Kenia tree) or Disc anemones (Rock flowers, Ricordea, or Discosoma. Skip Rhodactis, they get massive), you don't even need a supply system, as long as your weekly swap is based on a good REEF salt, not some 'Basic' salt with no trace elements. Example, stuff like Tropic Marin Pro Reef. As long as you don't end up with the dodgy charges from their turkish factory (there was an issue with that....).

[@laVeukz]

This is the video I needed something for the UK reefers

[@glennanderson7795]

Evening Alex! This is just the film I need - thank you & VBW x

[@TheOriginalAndBestTim]

Hi Alex, this video made me feel like I could actually set up a saltwater tank myself - and like Mike I have always found the idea interesting but intimidating! Also, I hope you take this as the complement I intend: your voiceover and presentation style really reminds me of the show 'Movies, Games and Videos' from "back when I were a lad" ™

[@swordsman111982]

I have this tank and used the Stock light for a long time, and it is a lot better than it seems. I have grown every type of LPS under it and some basic SPS. It not the best light making corals grow fast, but it does the job and keeps them happy. Plus the lid reduces the crap out of evaporation.

[@mbtravel7294]

Good luck Mike, be patient and enjoy yourself!

[@Sutsamadori97]

Can’t wait to the next videos of this series

[@joaopereira2526]

I had and still have my 75g fresh water but also tried this almost exact marine set up and fully enjoying it

[@AJBAdventures]

Perfect timing! Literally just set up an Evo. 😀 However cheated a bit by nicking some substrate and liverock from my 4 ft tank, for an instant cycle! Not that I'm impatient or anything 😬

[@mattflood4225]

I had hair like Mike when I had a house full of fresh water. Since my second foray into reefing, I'm now rocking something between Alex's hair with a bit of Phil Collins thrown in 🤣🤣 Do it though Mike!! I'm happier as a bald reefer than I was as a hairy aquascaper 😜

[@reefrookies]

Excellent info all around! Nicely done!

[@omrigoldfarb142]

Im thinking about getting a nano one cause im moving to college and ill have roommate’s so I don’t wanna come in with my big aquarium Really hope you’ll do a video about what light to choose

[@andreabta]

Definitely have a salt water tank in your house. They always told me was too hard to care for one but after trying the salt water is more self sustainable than freshwater.... Easy care for it if setting up right from the beginning..... Plus fish and coral are more fascinating than fresh 😂😂

[@LK50634]

Very awesome video beautiful set-up I can't wait to see what is next

[@absolutezerochill2700]

Very good! I noticed there was a 5 gallon option for this tank. However, I can't think of any fish that could be in such a small tank. Any suggestions?

[@ReefDork]

Hmm. Nothing I'd like to recommend...

[@LordNecron]

Better not. if it were a 9 or 10, you could put a Gobidion okinawae and maybe 2 Trimma cana in there, they'd have space to hide and swim. But a 5er......not really. Sorry. What you could chuck into the 5 gal: Thor amboinensis, a group of 4 or 5. Give them a few Zoas or a Ricordea anemone, and they will love you. Also, on a tank below.....I think 40 gal or so, consider NOT adding hermits. They are hooligans. And the empty shells you need to provide for them will ruin the look of small tanks. Get more snails and a Mithraculus sculptus crab instead. And yes, I go by scientific names. Those are international. Not as much of an issue with fish, but when it comes to coral, going by english name alone is a disaster, especially if you look at Zoas, fancy Euphilia, or Acropora, with their crazed designer names. Like on Zoas, Maneater, Alien Antivenom.....

[@absolutezerochill2700]

@@ReefDork yes, that's what I expected. I don't know why that's an option, to be honest.

[@absolutezerochill2700]

@@LordNecron it's fine. I was more confused than actually considering. Only 70 bucks more for over double the size is better anyways.

[@LordNecron]

@@absolutezerochill2700 I actually think in that size category, the Fluval might be the better option over the Peninsula Mini 15 from Waterbox. Especially since Fluval has their own fitting upgrade line. I'd personally yeet the cover, run it open topped, and with a Red Sea ReefLED50 or an AI Prime 16 instead. Maybe see if you can get some 3D printed, saltwater friendly holder for a filter sock to add to the intake vent on the Fluval, for mechanical debris filtering, before it all goes into the Skimmer chamber.

[@andrewmiller778]

Mike I'm like you, really want salt, solid freshy, so am following along, maybe will get me going. Personally looking at the edge for the few extra litres of water and as with my fresh fluval edge will get the insert for the two chambers for better mechanical and biological filtration. Interested to see upgrades, fortunately already have rodi maker for freshwater(I do mix with seachem equilibrium) so will probably make my own salt water and will probably get an ato for ease of use.

[@tyler97511]

I did it with one I got for $50 on kijiji ai prime ato and a skimmer they'll keep sps upgraded mine 3 months in have had a few sps growing since and it's been close to a year they make a great set up

[@tyler97511]

Auto top off is very helpful at that size makes it simple

[@Puciferthegreat]

Using a Tp tapo or similar makes any light run on a schedule in the absolute easiest way and should be included in any new setup :)

[@chriscavies]

Hi, great video. I am in the tropical gang (Discus) that is curious about going the marine route. Do you have to remineralise the water, and when doing a water change do you add salt and remineralise again? Also, I have an Ro unit for discus but only using hma aspect of the filter. There is a lot of waste water when producing Ro, what do with the waste?

[@ReefDork]

No need to add minerals, the salt mix takes care of everything. I just put the waste down the drain...

[@micmalawi]

Did you take into account that the rocks might be taking up some of the 12L discrepency?

[@Reggiejejshsb]

The chamber baskets are good for them

[@simoncushing1048]

To add, Refractometer! 10litr of R/O water due to Evaporation purposes which would effect your salinity reading plus salt creep. Soft corals only. Dosing minerals calcium, magnesium, etc. Definitely a skimmer. All these will add to your cost. Plus the ugly stage of diatoms. Last of all Auto top off I would d add.

[@laurencefreeman46]

I work at a fish store and salt really isn’t hard at all. Corals make it seem hard, but it really isn’t unless you want acropora or non photosynthetic corals. Just have a good light and good flow. Protein skimmer is higher recommended along with a decent sized tank with a sump.

[@J_shakey.3006]

Absolutely incredible

[@Sutsamadori97]

Wanted to buy a nice big tank some time, had to buy a new car so this comes in handy😊

[@hakman239]

Please make this a longer series then last time

[@ReefDork]

I will - the plan is to keep this tank for at least 2 years...

[@anglingaddict3877]

Love this content!

[@davidmorffi7940]

what is your favorite tank you made ? how long it take to where you wanted it ?

[@ReefDork]

My current Red Sea Reefer Peninsula 500 - it's been up for almost 6 years and it's still not how I want it!

[@davidmorffi7940]

Wow that a long time and not how you want it ?

[@germanytraveller2419]

Go Mikey…Go Mikey…Go salty!🧂🧂🧂 Yes, we…eh…you can! 💪😎 And: Alex forces you, so Alex will help you whenever necessary! 😉😁

[@chuaivan7043]

Hi Alex! Good day. My 100L tank with inbuilt back filter doesn’t seems to be working well. The sequence of my filter is as follow: skimmer, sponge filter, ceramic media, carbon, bio ball, micro algae. Do you any advice on the sequence of a effective filtration system?

[@tracedimos4202]

How often do you plan on doing water changes? And how often do you plan on cleaning the filter sponge?

[@ReefDork]

Every week - 10 to 20% is the plan. The sponge is coming out as part of the upgrades I'm adding - they're a pain in the butt!

[@tracedimos4202]

@@ReefDork Agh crap! I'm going to have to wait till the next video to find out huh? I have a sponge in mine right now that I clean about once a month in a bowl of new salt water. Would love to upgrade! Hurry and put that video out!

[@LordNecron]

@@tracedimos4202 If the sponge is in the very first chamber, and everything is forced through it, do a weekly rinse-squish in the OLD water during water swaps (as in, pump old water out, use it to wash the sponge, then back in), you do not want to let it sit so you have nitrifying bacteria on it. But you DO might want it for the mechanical cleaning (debris, basically).

[@andrewraczka1032]

Is there a US equivalent to the site with 3D printed products?

[@ReefDork]

Yeah there's loads - just Google it

[@ProfessorShroom]

How much eletricity would this tank use?

[@ReefDork]

Full breakdown here kzbin.info/www/bejne/imayYaKMmrx6mJI

[@PULAG]

Are there any differences between saltwater and freshwater filters or can you use either

[@ReefDork]

You can use some fw filters in sw but best to check with the manufacturer first

[@rohitparbat3398]

How much water volume in 1.5 feet cube tank?

[@ReefDork]

This tank? About 40 litres after displacement

[@christopherauditore1673]

Hi :) I am trying to get into the hobby and have been looking at the fluval evo 13.5 as a potential tank. I saw it has a filtration system but I was wondering if it would still need frequent water changes. If so, how much and/or how often? I would appreciate the advice!

[@ReefDork]

It will still need water changes - i'll probably be doing 10% per week

[@twaves21]

DO IT MIKE! I hope this is enough peer pressure

[@juanedenburg6766]

I’m getting salty I want to have a saltwater tank but I live in the nederlands and the fluval is not for sale here. And the rest is so freaking expensive. I have freshwater aquariums and I can sete up a 4 foot tank up under 750euro for everything. Way is it when I calculate how much it gonna cost me more then 2000 only thank and lighting. And I don’t see the quality in it it’s still cheaply made stuff out of China like the freshwater stuff. I understand that marine is costing more but so much I don’t understand. It’s not a dig ate you I really enjoy your videos and you have a great voice to listening too.

[@hakman239]

I have a37l 10 gallon could I use that as salt water

[@ReefDork]

Yep

[@manastephy5037]

Thank you

[@mattmonteith2175]

I set up a 90 gallons aquarium. Cost me over 160 dollars. I bought gravel and sand pre mix from the ocean to kick start the process of cycling the tank yes 3 week s before I add fish I mix my own saltwater water not hard I have well water. And the type of salt u use make s a different s on how clear the water will be.

[@Goodwin88881]

Looking at getting one of these tanks, How often do you have to changes the water? (Bit of a hassle to get to the shop if it’s every week or two, so may just make it)

[@ReefDork]

I'll be doing 10% per week - the more frequently, the better but you could do 20% per fortnight no problem

[@Goodwin88881]

@@ReefDork thanks - might stick with the shop water

[@LordNecron]

The tank, setup wise, seems close to a Waterbox Peninsula 15, just with a ton of stuff included in the kit.

[@XMiniLX]

im stuck on which one to buy myself!

[@EXECUTI0N619]

Would this be good size be good for a couple clown fish?

[@ReefDork]

Yep

[@alanallington1001]

Nice shorts, do you work for rhe circus

[@lonzoreacts1190]

Would this tank be too small for 2-3 Bubble Tip Anemones? and if so would be the better option? I heard that Anemones need lots of room depending on the type and also need lots of flow in the water so I also don't know which wave maker is best. This would be my first saltwater aquarium and I wanted to start strong with a Anemone dominated tank, so I would love some of your advice :) PS: Your videos are amazing, keep up the good work.

[@ReefDork]

Nope, this would be fine in my opinion. I have 3 BTAs in my Cade that's behind me at the start of my videos. They'll get big over time, but so will anything else. These are my first BTAs - I've found them really easy to care for but they have a reputation for being fussy, especially in the first 6 months of a tank...

[@thesunandthetree]

Did Mike go salty? And what did he think of the video? You seem like a great friend 😊

[@ReefDork]

Not yet!

[@GavinStatikGoddard]

I presume I could do exactly the same thing using a fluval flex 57?

[@ReefDork]

You could, yeah. Now fronted tanks distort the image slightly though so I'm personally not a fan

[@onlythedetails]

just got my first tank after watching this

[@hakman239]

I put 5kg of sand in my 50l is that too much and 4kg of reef saver

[@Michael_k_DK]

Cant find that tank In Denmark

[@ISeaLive]

I just finished up a roller mat filter for this Fluval. Let me know if you would like one ☝️.

[@hakman239]

How many kg of rock for 50l

[@ReefDork]

I wouldn't worry about kilos - better to just focus on making a good scape

[@hakman239]

@@ReefDorkI’m on a budget

[@georgeduncan8946]

Ive set up 8 succsesful tanks since 1991...🤣🐡🐠🐟✌🏿from 2.5 gallons to 55 from gobies to volitan lionfish & snowflake eel to clown gobies ,dottybacks & invert tanks 💜💜💜💜💜

[@georgeduncan8946]

I collected 6 lbs sand from beautiful L.I. beach for a 5gl tank .....i git it from the surf where wave crashes in beach...i rinsed it at home..it was clear in 2 minutes💥💥💥added bacteria in filter ceramics & cycled in 6 days or less💥💥💥

[@jhaych]

Fish only salt water tanks are so easy!

[@XMiniLX]

have you got one? i want to do a fowlr myself

[@jhaych]

@@XMiniLX I have a reef buddy but started fish only, same as troo manage your nitrates you're fine, but obviously you have salinity as well that's the only difference, super easy mate.

[@Imran.A.Official]

Can we get salt water directly from sea?

[@RafaelFerreira-du6tx]

or just use fluval aqua plus and you can use tap water

[@falcolf]

...I think I spent $200 on my aquascape in my Evo 13.5. 😂 Also I got it as an Amazon Warehouse Deal and it was missing literally everything but the filter pump with a condition description of 'great.' (I don't describe most of the equipment missing as 'great,' Amazon.) They only reimbursed me $70 which was a fraction of what I needed for a new light. Owww. (Got the Fluval Sea Nano which I love for its programmability which hacks my ADHD.)

[@SupurrrCat]

The pump on this unbelievably loud, not sure if mine is defective but if not it is not suitable for a bedroom

[@ReefDork]

No, it wasn't faulty - that's just the way it is I'm afraid. I found you can make it a bit quieter with a bit of wiggling, but it was still too noisy for me so I replaced it.

[@stevenwilliams2551]

I think the reason you didn’t need 50 litres of water was the volume taken up by the rock Displacement Eureka moment etc

[@ReefDork]

Correct

[@gailnosbaum4980]

❤❤❤❤

[@cosbey1]

Calls down to wife "I think I need another fish tank"

[@ReefDork]

😂

[@trevorvanzuydam8115]

50 litres without the rocks ?

[@ReefDork]

Still less - I'd guess around 45

[@AdamUS123-j7q]

Freshwater is no way as fun as a nice reef! Though I still enjoy African Cichlids.

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

nice

[@tekkersreefer8055]

Id dump the fitter its crap to intank media baskets and 1200 pump sorted

[@ReefDork]

It's gone already 😅

[@clintparsons3989]

You should give it to Mike as a surprise

[@Imran.A.Official]

Isn't the sand better with its own bacteria? Why wash it?

[@ReefDork]

Most sand doesn't come with bacteria so you should wash anything that doesn't

[@davidmorffi7940]

mike go salty you got it

[@annak2575]

Surely it's not almost as easy as freshwater tropical??! 😮😮

[@ReefDork]

It can be - it is more involved, but it's only really as hard as you make it

[@jsludwig5699]

In india it is really cheap ......because things are cheaper here i calculated my saltwater as.....tank- already have sand- 499 3kg filter- 1100 rocks -1000 salt-1000 light 250 total 3849 rupees = around 35-40 pounds ....super cheap

[@mckessa17]

If you live near the ocean you can get free fish

[@jaysrealreefuk]

No better tank for the money. Mike, take the plunge on saltwater, you will never look back.

[@GusExplores]

Oooft i bet that was a sore video to work out and make. I am considering about getting a reef tank this may have just put me off 😢

[@poor_mansreef8908]

Forget the tank i need those shorts!

[@ReefDork]

😅

[@ashlittle4545]

Fluval lied 2:37 ?? Forgetting the fact that the huge rocks in the tank are taking cubic volume equivalent to 12 Litres? 😂

[@ReefDork]

It's about 44 litres before displacement from the rock and sand...

[@ashlittle4545]

@@ReefDork I stand corrected 🤣

[@ReefDork]

@@ashlittle4545 😅

[@laVeukz]

Okay reef dork you’ve swayed me

[@rajgill7576]

Dont rinse your sand if you got wet "live" sand. That'll wash away all the goodies we pay extra for

[@rudra7615]

Tbh, I watched such videos and thought marine fish tanks are cheap..and they can be...but the hobby isn't just a set up. It's the running and maintenance that really makes it expensive. It's like getting a gorgeous expensive car for a bargain and then the fuel, tax, maintenance adds up and you realise.."yeah it was cheap to get but boy is it expensive to keep". Marine is just like that for me. You can setup for cheap based on your budget, but then you want the fishes, the corals, the maintanence costs, the bills you pay to keep it, the upgrades you end up getting for growth etc.. To top it off, no matter what..you will end up upgrading to bigger tanks in the future..this isn't a choice, it is inevitable.

[@LordNecron]

There is always a 'flip point' where it becomes TOO LARGE for a single person, if they stick to one tank. The solution: If the old tanks are not gone yet, scavenge old equipment and an old tank, scrub it down, and start a 2nd tank. Like, you want a genuine Nemo tank, with an actual, fat anemone? Instead of endangering your Stony main tank, you set up a 20 to 30 gal secondary, add a bit of rockwork, add a few different anemones (no Rock Flowers or Carpets, those afaik aren't for Finding Nemo, those are for Dining (on) Nemo), add cleaning crew that is not going to get chomped by the anemones, and then make a Nemo tank.

[@Ayesuh]

Im gonna go use water straight from the tap, see ya later 😂

[@Sif_theGreatGreyWolf]

Love your videos but it makes me laugh when I see you set up a peninsula tank up against a wall like that!

[@Daemiex]

as an experienced marine keeper this video is just click bait, if you setup a marine tank like this you will just be throwing away money constantly and have headache after headache after headache, just dont

[@ReefDork]

This is probably one of the most common marine tanks in the world...

[@mckessa17]

I agree.

[@ItsJustMeBrett]

Get the fucking tank mike. I started with an evo and I now have sps corals in it.

[@izaakeligardnereli]

come on mike go salty

[@thombaz]

I really don't know why aqurium makers go with this small base with overhanging aquarium. It's looks really disgusting, and makes tha base very fragile. Ugly+unsfae, can't see any reason to do this.

[@andrewhorner4027]

Buy a waterbox 25 peninsular much better nano

[@andrewhorner4027]

Evo is however a perfect QT aquarium

[@XMiniLX]

too big to put anywhere in the kitchen or a bedroom, this is a great size

[@justinking5400]

00

[@joelpetersen2480]

"It's small, so easy to mentain..." That's wrong. Just wrong! Smaller tanks are biological way more unstable and for experts!