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

In this video, I answer the question "are saltwater tanks hard to maintain". I talk you through ALL of the weekly, monthly and yearly maintenance needed on my Red Sea Reefer aquarium, to give you an idea of how many chores you'll need to do on a reef tank.
Find my best fishy photos on Instagram - search 'Reef Dork'.
A select few great reef buys:
RO filter - amzn.to/2Xsq0KQ
Tunze algae magnet - amzn.to/2YydNku
Tunze frag rack - amzn.to/2XrW4d0
Tunze auto top off - amzn.to/2XrEryR
ATM colony - amzn.to/2YDlMwQ
Digital thermometer - amzn.to/2xy145i
Heating controller - amzn.to/2LDhmlB
Activated carbon - amzn.to/2YtLZO6
Coral glue - amzn.to/2XparDP
ICP test - amzn.to/2XsrZ1M
Rowaphos - amzn.to/2Xqx8m6
Red Sea salt - amzn.to/2XqGxub
Some of these links have an affiliate code - so if you make a purchase, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
For any commercial enquiries, please send me a PM, contact me via Instagram or leave a comment below.
0:00 Are saltwater tanks hard to maintain?
0:23 Daily
1:13 Weekly
3:25 Monthly
4:42 Two to three months
5:14 Six months plus
6:00 Maintenance I don't do
6:23 Summary

[@fadisamour]

The marriage saver 🤣

[@Ray-yz5wd]

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.

[@nursecuenca]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 🤣🤣🤣

[@natesaquatics4713]

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

[@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.

[@artistic_spaz3724]

That was a very honest and accurate commentary on reefing!

[@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.

[@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

[@Mikeymikemike]

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

[@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...

[@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.

[@marty2314]

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

[@ReefDork]

Thanks man

[@zakdoughty121]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@sevans4292]

Best reefing vlog on KZbin for a novice. 👍

[@76honda76]

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

[@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 !

[@jtb65]

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

[@Mlh1978]

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

[@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...)

[@tippin.turtle]

Tanks looking really good! 👍

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@smokeandkippers]

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

[@FoolOfATuque]

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

[@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! 😂

[@jaguaresed]

Wow that is a awesome tank mate

[@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]

😅

[@EDKsurly]

i love that little funnel!

[@RobBoryckiGolf]

Great video dork. Your funny as always

[@aliew27]

Wow! This is a lot more maintenance than freshwater!

[@Richs_reef]

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

[@bhagyamaithripala6642]

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

[@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 👌

[@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

[@FishzWorld]

Really nice tank

[@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...

[@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

[@tekkersreefer8055]

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

[@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.

[@bennysoulz1197]

Nice tank look healthy

[@fabiotaurozzi4709]

You have a beautiful tank tho looks amazing

[@EnuffsEnuff318]

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

[@mitchellpetek2389]

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

[@evanmarleaux2616]

What is that water changer? Excellent video mate.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@jaysrealreefuk]

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

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@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!🤔

[@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.

[@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…

[@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.

[@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

[@aquastory2053]

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

[@ReefDork]

😅

[@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! 🇨🇭

[@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. 😥

[@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 👌

[@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! 😓 👍

[@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

[@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

[@fabiotaurozzi4709]

Jeeezzz bro watching this changed my mind hahaha

[@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.

[@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

[@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/

[@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

[@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

[@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!

[@norbpoggio2833]

Would you kindly share your reefbright light schedule please.

[@ReefDork]

Yep, check the community tab of my KZbin channel

[@spacepug1246]

hey just saw you have a clearview lid! i just got mine in and noticed that its not completely tight againt the overflow box with about a cm gap. is it like that for yours too?

[@ReefDork]

Mine's a near perfect fit - it was an slide maybe a millimetre or two each way. I got it from Reef Tops on Facebook

[@spacepug1246]

@@ReefDork cool.. thanks for the insight! glad to see your channel growing, you deserve it

[@mikkelkirketerp4884]

Hi Reef Dork. I sometimes struggle keeping up with the scheduled menial work of keeping things. Is there ways of setting up a reef tank that would lessen the work needed? I'll most likely get a room divider tank at about 150-300L, if that sways the answer in any direction. Thank you for your time and help!

[@ReefDork]

Various ways of making life easier - I'm planning a video on the subject at some point. But in the meantime, check out reefdudes - he automates everything he can!

[@mikkelkirketerp4884]

@@ReefDork Did you get around to doing that video? :D

[@ReefDork]

@@mikkelkirketerp4884 not yet I'm afraid - still on the list...

[@mikkelkirketerp4884]

@@ReefDork in the meantime ive gotten myself two freshwater setups, and will be getting a salt very soon. My first line of defense is just to start out with a very light stock level.

[@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,

[@Schaelarren]

Is that a starry blenny in front of the copperband?

[@ReefDork]

Yep

[@KnarBurger]

Just ordered my first tank today. Noticed you have the reef breeder photon lights. How are you liking them so far? My tank will be 24” deep so looking at them for my tank instead of primes or shelling out $1000+ for a couple hydras.

[@KnarBurger]

On a side note I feel for you brits on the ufc thing. Would be brutal having everything in the middle of the night.

[@ReefDork]

I'm happy catching up in the morning while my Mrs is asleep still! They're great lights, but the spread is pretty poor which is why I have 2.

[@KnarBurger]

@@ReefDork my tank is only 18” wide so hoping one will be enough. If not two hydras or two of the 24” ones are pretty similar in prices at some places around here.

[@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

[@TLFsno]

"Marriage saver!" Oh yes. I recently just had 2 leaks in one week and the hubby was NOT impressed!

[@c4snipar]

It’s about 5 hours weekly for me with 5 tanks! That’s not including any cleaning of equipments.

[@DavidSmith-ki2we]

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

[@ReefDork]

£250 ish

[@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

[@Alejandrojuarez84]

Hello! Do yo feed the corals??? Thanks

[@ReefDork]

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

[@gs7527]

Any starfish mate?

[@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...

[@benwilliams9150]

What is that ito alkanity tester you use?

[@ReefDork]

Reef Factory KH Keeper?

[@maxb.3849]

Im dying @3:40 😂😂

[@fishstix1988]

what automatic alkalinity checker do you use?

[@ReefDork]

Reef Factory KH Keeper Plus

[@neto64ful]

Sorry new to this channel what size is your tank?

[@ReefDork]

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

[@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.

[@vietnamcoral6523]

Please tell me ID it! Video 7.01 .Tks!