Watch This Before You Get A Saltwater Aquarium | FULL Maintenance Rundown

[@SDDeathdragon]

God bless anyone that spends that much time on water changes and maintenance, not to mention the amount of money spent on filling up a giant tank and hoping it never crashes while on vacation, if you’re brave enough to ever take a vacation for more than a day. I downsized several times and love my 5g nano reef. It has all my favorite corals and fish and the weekly water changes and maintenance are a breeze.

[@annebartells777]

Great video. The other day I told my husband I wanted to start another reef. He didn't want me too. Not because of the expense but because he was afraid I would neglect my reef because of the time demand for maintenance. I decided he was right. Reefs are a lot of work, but the work is very rewarding

[@nursecuenca]

Glad to see an honest opinion instead of someone trying to sell me things. Thanks for the input. Awesome tank

[@fadisamour]

The marriage saver 🤣

[@mac-ok3vz]

You should place links to all your hardware for your tank. Like automatic filtration and water change, which was on thing that really caught my eye.

[@NanoTankReefer]

It's crazy the amount of time we spend on our tanks. I enjoy every minute of it though 😁

[@ReefDork]

Hell yes! I decided to make this video after watching your maintenence vid - lovely tank and I'm jealous of how clean your sump is 😅

[@NanoTankReefer]

@@ReefDork thanks mate! I'm not going to lie, your sump gives me anxiety 😂 I'm a complete clean freak and every time I see it I just want to come round with the wet vac and give it a tidy 🙈 I think I have a problem 😂

[@ReefDork]

@@NanoTankReefer 🤣🤣🤣

[@NICKELS181]

This is cool and mad props to you. Personally i think it is overload. You can get away with descent filtration a good skimmer and a reactor. Test weekly and feed once and skip a day during the week. An algae magnet will save time. Buy RO water and your fine.

[@MarineReefHobby-MrTay]

A very nice reef tank and great video on sharing what it takes to maintain a reef tank. I am keeping a small 12G Nano Reef Tank only having Zoas and I am enjoying very much. Main reason for keeping a small nano reef tank is to minimise the time and effort needed on maintenance as well as total cost of ownership.

[@MickyTubbs1985]

UNDERSTOOD !

[@artistic_spaz3724]

That was a very honest and accurate commentary on reefing!

[@MCorrigan]

Honestly, I think this would put off many people wanting to get in to the marine hobby. You have an awesome set up, and you've clearly spent a lot on equipment, but making your own RO water alone is going to raise your water bill quite drastically. Personally, I buy my RO and Saltwater from my local fish shop. As for dosing machines, I don't do it. My tank has now reached the point where I hardly have to test the water, and when I do, I use the Red Sea test kit, which is very good. This tank looks like a full time job 😂

[@leem270]

You have to take into travel expenses aswell. Also making your own water you will know how often you have changed your filters ect which will mean better water quality = less problems

[@TonysCorals]

cleaning dishes and letting the water run for ten mins would use way more water than your tank would use!

[@zimbonz]

It certainly put me off! 😂

[@sevans4292]

Best reefing vlog on KZbin for a novice. 👍

[@martyg374]

My advice, "don't keep a saltwater aquarium unless you must." I did for 40 years (150 gal) but now live on the ocean in Florida where I can go look at a reef by putting a mask on. I still contemplate a nano reef tank with ocean water changes.

[@rogerthat6451]

Great video with great advice. I tell people you have to be passionate about the hobby to have a successful reef tank. No half measures.

[@natesaquatics4713]

I appreciate that you clear the rear glass panel. I find it gives the tank additional depth perception. :)

[@Mikeymikemike]

Great video!! Don’t forget reefing time. What ever time you thought you would spend, double it and add 10 minutes!

[@FoolOfATuque]

Honestly after work I enjoy mundane tasks. It eases my mind.

[@wieg86]

I'm thinking about getting a salt water tank. maybe in the coming years. Now I'm still happy with my freshwater tank. Maybe when my current tank needs replacing I'll change to salt water. Your videos are incredibly informative, honest and very funny. One if not the best aquariumchannels I know...and I know a lot of them. Congrats and keep up the good and funny work.

[@76honda76]

I spend at least 15min each day on mine. Love it !

[@marty2314]

Really love how you put your videos together.. top class editing

[@ReefDork]

Thanks man

[@eillyacostandinides3344]

Very niceee video realistic and speaks to most of us who will not spend million dollar for daily automatic water changer or separate fish room. Very realistic video.

[@aliew27]

Wow! This is a lot more maintenance than freshwater!

[@jharlowrose1]

Me in you are one in the same on the water changes. I do the exact same thing lol and here I was. thinking I was the only on doing that on a Sunday.

[@jaysrealreefuk]

The time just goes in this hobby, but the reward just keeps us wanting more. Brilliant video 👍

[@spoonz1065]

When your doing the hanna checker. Cut the packet along the directed lines and then bend it in half to make a tight folded edge . U can pour it straight in then without the funnel.

[@andeyking]

Also, don't touch the glass vial with your hands or make sure to wipe any finger marks off, this always gave me variation in the results.

[@Richs_reef]

‘The marriage saver’ LOL Mrs Reef Dork not a fan of flooding then like my missus 🤣

[@awilderireland]

Great video. I was considering getting a Marine Nano tank. The popular Fluval Evo 13.5. But I figured out even though the tank is cheap with upgrades and the ongoing cost of salt etc. It wouldn't cost me much more to get a massive Freshwater Aquarium with Tanganyikans (which I kept many years ago). And the ongoing costs will be minimal with much less maintenance. To each their own of course.

[@AquaSplendor]

So I was supposed to do maintenance today but I'm already tired after watching this :P :P, good video :). (And that's just with one tank...)

[@aquastory2053]

Video title should be top 10 ways to make a fishkeeper feel poor 😂😂😂

[@ReefDork]

😅

[@quique918]

Agreed

[@wesleyturner1979]

Your tank looks awesome! I’d say you do more maintenance than most! As long as it’s running and the corals are healthy you’re doing well enough. Remember in reefing there is such a thing as too clean. I would say that the flow restrictions in your overflow aren’t worth clearing because of all the algae and other critters in their sucking up nitrate, phosphate and extra food going into the sump.

[@MrMastavida]

Thank you for another great video Alex! Really the best part of my youtube week! You really have to start doing another livestream so i can watch for another hour!

[@ReefDork]

I've just ordered some livestream equipment. More to come...

[@neilsmith5883]

Nice vid Alex. Been in this hobby for about a year now and I still can't stop fiddling with it. Get a lot of wife eyeball rolling when I have to open the sump cabinet to basically check nothing lol.

[@ReefDork]

😅

[@ricardocarneiro7797]

Good video and will benefit the newcomers have a good idea of the maintenance, so with that said the more equipment you you put in your system the more you will have to clean so keep it simple

[@aqhan]

Thank you for the honesty. I'm currently in a process of putting together a list of things I need to get a simple tank with a pair of clownfish (what a shocker, right?) and some cleanup crew. I don't know, I just really, really like clownfish 🤣 But I think I will go with a tank that has a full lid, since that would hold some water loss back.

[@lyndongall2122]

Looking good I love how you make it look simple I'm in the early months . But I'm realy determined and have spent a fortune but not giving up n will get there . With vids like youres to help us along keep it going chief dork

[@smokeandkippers]

So true. The more the effort the higher the reward!

[@EDKsurly]

i love that little funnel!

[@Mlh1978]

Got to say mate, your tank is realy nice looking and it’s a really show quality tank now👍

[@pk-pj4sz]

I think it's worth it it's such a flex so interesting helps you just put down your phone for a little while I would put down my phone for hours and stare at that tank

[@tippin.turtle]

Tanks looking really good! 👍

[@ero302]

Do you have a stocklist of what's in ur 100 tank i have an 80-90 and i'd like to know not what kind but the amount of support a system like this can have.

[@zakdoughty121]

Love your videos mate. So honest.Can't wait to return to the hobby

[@mitchellpetek2389]

I'm happy to hear I'm not the only reefer who also is an avid ufc fan! 👍

[@jacksonsparrow8865]

Is this for reef tanks or for a fish only tank as well?

[@ReefDork]

This is just reef tanks - i've never kept fish only but they will be less maintenance than this

[@jacksonsparrow8865]

@@ReefDork ok thanks

[@Monstrum0206]

I gave a silly thought of switching from fresh to salt ... Thank you for saving me lots and lots of money, nerves and provably marriage

[@Arborpress]

One thing that use to scare me was the mess of people's sumps, rat nest of wires and polytubes going to random electronics. To anyone looking to get into the hobby, you don't 'NEED' all that crap and you're able to run a 10-30 gallon nano just fine, buuut all that random crap 'DOES' make your tank look perfect like his. I personally don't mind manually testing/dosing, topping off etc. but I also use to say I didn't mind taking public transportation before owning a car too LOL.

[@Candybuiltsi]

I got a predator tank, do water change 80 percent once a month. Water straight from garden hose. Have had tank for years 7 year old dogface puffer.

[@danielmaddocks9315]

Nice to see a video from you again, I been off youtube for a while! How is the copperband doing? You tank looks great as usual!

[@ReefDork]

He's doing well 👌

[@qnonbs]

Thanks for the video man. Any plans to put a background on that tank? Seeing the birds from the wallpaper you have in the tank is extremely discombobulating.

[@MCorrigan]

The only background needed is a black one.

[@tekkersreefer8055]

It’s worth every min hour for reef tank 🙌🏻

[@jaguaresed]

Wow that is a awesome tank mate

[@johnblaze5252]

Your glass is @ invisible level & your water is as it’s the air. The fish look like they are just floating around your room.. I’m cycling my first marine / reef tank & im in no rush to add anything… because I knew when I unboxed my AIO that it was far too small for me. I already know it’s going to be a test … my children are leaving the nest & I see wall space for things I must have…

[@mike197109]

Hello buddy! I really enjoy your videos and am about ready to pull the trigger on a 100 gallon. This video helped me to almost complete the deal in my head. I showed my wife but she raised the question of costs. You have a gang of automation here and i want it all! But my wife (ever the realist) asked me how much is all of it. So the question: What is the overall cost of your tank and equipment add ins? Dont worry about adding the cost of the corals and fish as I know they can be astronomical based on the rarity of the piece/fish.

[@ReefDork]

Couldn't tell you off the top of my head. But I've done a video setting out all the costs of setting up this tank. It was probably about 2 years ago so have a look back on my channel...

[@jtb65]

Great video!! You just made me consider upgrading from my first Fluval Evo to a RS Reefer already😂

[@kevintwine8443]

Brilliant video again lol could you tell me what the digital alkalinity checker app thingy you have is I would really appreciate it thank you

[@ReefDork]

Hanna alkalinity checker. Expensive but really good bit of kit

[@RobBoryckiGolf]

Great video dork. Your funny as always

[@evanmarleaux2616]

What is that water changer? Excellent video mate.

[@Seedyrom247]

It’s a little like beekeeping. My wife frets over her hive, and the Facebook groups only amplify the fears that lack of care/maintenance will destroy the hive or have them swarm away. I got a hive to prove that by just leaving it alone it will survive with minimal care. Bees have looked after themselves for millions of years, without human intervention

[@EnuffsEnuff318]

I've always said it's like the boat analogy....a hole in the livingroom floor where you throw money.

[@madshepsreef282]

I cleaned my sump, skimmer glass inside and out pumps on the 350litre the 1200litre just cleaned the three socks and skimmer cup and glass

[@augustwestusa]

Wow. I'm new to all of this. Thinking about getting a salt water tank. One video said only consider 40, 60 or 120 gallon tank. I looked at them today in the store. That seems pretty big. I'm not sure why they would suggest that big of a tank. Do you think it's better to start small? Great video thank you!

[@ReefDork]

Pros and cons of both. I'd go 3 feet for a first tank - gives you reasonable water volume for stability and decent fish choices, but it's still manageable for water changes and you won't spend too much money on equipment.

[@jonasbergkvist1464]

Really a good looking tank! This is what i’m aiming for! But honestly, do you only change the skimmer cup once every month? Wow! I have to empty mine every three days!

[@ReefDork]

I set the water level quite low in the neck so it skims dry...

[@eaglescout1974]

Same here. About every 3-4 days I have to empty the skimmer cup

[@deanfielding4411]

Same here. Once a week tops, although I don’t have the roller filter so mine is probably doing more work

[@bennysoulz1197]

Nice tank look healthy

[@j.fish3917]

What power heads do you use? They look so much easier to take off etc and clean. Thank you

[@ReefDork]

Vortech mp40s - the easiest to maintain option 👌

[@SiHill80]

I have read reports online that roller filters start to smell as the waste breaks down in the open air rather than in the water. Some people even switching back to socks (or filter cups) just because of this. Is this something you have noticed?

[@ReefDork]

I have a filter roller on each of my tanks - never noticed a smell. Even if you bury your face in an old roll and take a lung full, you can hardly smell anything!

[@fabiotaurozzi4709]

You have a beautiful tank tho looks amazing

[@bhagyamaithripala6642]

Nice video, You are a cool guy doc...

[@norbpoggio2833]

Would you kindly share your reefbright light schedule please.

[@ReefDork]

Yep, check the community tab of my KZbin channel

[@beatjunkie303]

Tank maintenance ebs and flows for me .... at best it's a water change weekly at worst a water change 5/6 weekly.... I dont run a skimmer or have a sump ... just a canister filter and wave makers the tank has been running like this for over 10 years with the worst problem i have had being a hair algea problem which I beat eventually it doesn't have to be as hard work as people make out

[@PercyJackson93]

What work do you think is essential within a month? Assuming that you done all jobs before and after. I'm looking into aquariums a bit for the first time myself but I'd like to see how automated I can make one but first I should know just what the minimum work might look like once the tank has settled.

[@MAD_DOGZ_TV]

wow now thats a tank that would have scared me away from having a reef tank lol but i learned i dont need all that i run a 6 feet tank with lots of corals 20plus fish and a canister filter and i do water change once a year yes once a year lol i think a reef tank is as hard or as easy as you make it .. and i have never done a water test lol

[@DavidSmith-ki2we]

How much was that automatic water changer? I can really use it.

[@ReefDork]

£250 ish

[@MickyTubbs1985]

In marine aquarium keeping the wisdom of YODA comes to mind - - ...do it or don't; there is no try." Undoubtedly, this type of the hobby requires time, energy, creativity ,and MONEY. AND KNOWING ONE SELF, DEFINITELY!🤔

[@Schaelarren]

Is that a starry blenny in front of the copperband?

[@ReefDork]

Yep

[@djexit]

Hello mate can i ask question i have a tank it is properly cycle and all water parameters are right like amonia is zero nitrite are zero nitrate are 20ppm temp is fine salainity is 1.024 and fish well aclemated when i put it on the tank the nemo stay in one part of the tank not going anywawhere what seems the problem do you think?

[@ReefDork]

That's just what Clownfish do - they choose one spot, often by an overflow, and stick to it. If you get a long tentacled coral, they might set up home in that instead

[@djexit]

@@ReefDork ok thank i thought they are stress and sombody told me they will die,

[@MrKenty08]

Hi which kh keeper do you use thanks

[@ReefDork]

I have the plus on this tank and the standard model on my frag tank the plus is worth the extra cash money...

[@jimmylin8226]

What lights do you use under that stand. How does it turn on when you open the door?

[@ReefDork]

Ikea Norrfly lights - they're motion sensitive so they turn on when the doors open. Although annoyingly, they turn off if you lean in and block the sensors

[@Demonic_Kitty]

I love reef aquarium but this is the big thing making me indecisive. The maintenance. It's hard to have a maintenance schedule if you have to help run the family business. 😥

[@Alejandrojuarez84]

Hello! Do yo feed the corals??? Thanks

[@ReefDork]

You can do but they get the vast majority of their nutrition from photosynthesis

[@adiywarbo5362]

Hey up fella, great video as always! Any chance you've got a link for the auto Water changer please?

[@ReefDork]

reefloat.com/products/awc53b

[@nickdonalds0546]

Hoe bad does algae gunk build up and clog up your sink drains?

[@ReefDork]

Nope

[@usmc187]

1:07 what is this critter? I saw one in my tank, but it was tiny

[@ReefDork]

It's an amphipod, good guy 🙂

[@marbles351]

Can I ask a silly question? Why can’t you put frozen food straight in the tank and let it defrost in the tank?

[@ReefDork]

You can, I just prefer not to. My bigger fish tend to get larger chunks that break off if I don't defrost it.

[@benwilliams9150]

What is that ito alkanity tester you use?

[@ReefDork]

Reef Factory KH Keeper?

[@Wyz1981]

Where did you get the Wye fitting to do dual return pumps. I can’t seem to find one anywhere online.

[@ReefDork]

Ebay - www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hose-Pipe-Y-Piece-25mm-1-Inch-Pond-Fitting-/360259630019?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

[@richardportelli1983]

How do your return pumps work if one is turned off? Won''t most of the flow just go back down through the pump that is turned off?

[@ReefDork]

Yep. I've bought check valves, just haven't installed them yet

[@BabyFish4Music]

Really nice tank

[@brunozgraggen5443]

Hello Ree Dork Man, sorry i dont know your name. Im a reefer now over 10 years, your videos are great, i like very much !!! Greetings from Switzerland....

[@ReefDork]

Merci vielmel! 🇨🇭

[@rogerchung7699]

Nice video, doesn’t the foxface eat zoas? Mine destroyed a whole colony. Also doesn’t butterfly eat corals too?

[@ReefDork]

This one doesn't, although that could change as he grows up. The CBB is a good boy at the moment too...

[@rogerchung7699]

@@ReefDork Good to know, I am going to try again, fingers crossed

[@JeanEstevez]

Isn’t the algae on your sump defeating the purpose of the skimmer ?

[@ReefDork]

Nope - I tried taking almost all of my algae out once and turning one of the 2 fuge lights off but it tanked my pH and my nitrate shot up! I

[@JeanEstevez]

@@ReefDork interesting, every tank is different i suppose, im not running skimmer or Fuge on a 20 gallon and my nitrate and phosphate are 0! PH 8.1 or 8.2 sometimes it spikes to 8.5 I do feed very little and since im dosing i almost never do water changes maybe once a month 2 gallons

[@jeddwyer2127]

Do you dose Cal, alk and mag with the so many corals you have

[@ReefDork]

Yep, ATI Essentials Pro. About 45ml undiluted per day

[@youronlycow]

does it matter if the refugium comes first or the skimmer comes first?

[@ReefDork]

Don't know definitively but I doubt it makes a difference

[@youronlycow]

@@ReefDork my only thoughts are to ensure that copepods don't get killed by the skimmer thats all haha

[@TheClemo]

where did you get that tank lid?

[@ReefDork]

Reef Tops on Facebook

[@scottmacandrew]

Great video mate we’re do you sell your corals as I would be very interested in some if you have some for sale

[@ReefDork]

Through Ultimate Reef at the moment - here's an example www.ultimatereef.net/threads/large-frags-small-colonies-of-tropic-thunder-monti.898450/

[@dvc1867]

Did you stop using the reefloat awc? If so why?

[@ReefDork]

Nope, still use it every week without fail 🙂

[@dvc1867]

@@ReefDork thanks, in the video it looks like you're using large bins, is that just for larger water changes?

[@ReefDork]

@@dvc1867 that's a clip from before I got the AWC - you can see the AWC in use later in the video

[@pauldeacon8764]

Hi Alex! Great video! Has something happened to 1 of your fish? u know the 1 that normally dives all the time? 😀👍

[@ReefDork]

Yeah, he died a few weeks ago. He went into hiding so I think he was being bullied 😔

[@pauldeacon8764]

Oh that's really sad! I'm sorry for your loss Alex! 😓 👍

[@fishstix1988]

what automatic alkalinity checker do you use?

[@ReefDork]

Reef Factory KH Keeper Plus

[@fabiotaurozzi4709]

Jeeezzz bro watching this changed my mind hahaha

[@kosys5338]

Should of painted the back of the tank black so you couldn't see that wallpaper behind it. That wallpaper is awful. Birds just look out of place in a reef tank. As for the tank itself, absolutely stunning beautiful job. It's that wallpaper that kills it for me.

[@innerpeacefindings671]

Your SPS coral look like thriving. What are you dosing man?

[@ReefDork]

ATI essentials pro

[@innerpeacefindings671]

@@ReefDork thanks man

[@vietnamcoral6523]

Please tell me ID it! Video 7.01 .Tks!

[@neto64ful]

Sorry new to this channel what size is your tank?

[@ReefDork]

4x2x2 - it's a Red Sea Reefer Peninsula 500