Nano Reef Tank

Creator's Guide

Quick and easy step-by-step guide of creating your own magical nano reef tank

Start planning

Planning is essential

Grab a pen and paper and start planning your coolest project ever. Planning for a nano reef tank can be difficult as there are many different guides on the web that each advocate their own way. Based on my own nano tank experiences and expert tips from reefhacks.com, the most important steps in planning are presented here.

  • Decide what tank you should buy or use
  • Decide where to put your tank
  • Plan to minimize water leak damages
  • Choose beginner friendly species
  • Don't overload your tank - max 1 fish/25 L
  • When buying live rocks, be sure it is alive!

A more detailed list is on the way!

Budget for newbies

Expect an initial cost of between 500-1000 USD depending on the choice of aquarium, lighting, inhabitants, live rock, nutrition, tests, salt and food.

Here is an example:

  • Aquarium 80 L: 450 USD
  • 2 Clown Fishes: 40 USD
  • 1 Bubble Tip Anemone: 150 USD
  • 17 lbs Live Rock: 200 USD
  • Live Nutrition: 15 USD
  • Tests: 40 USD
  • Salt: 50 USD
  • Additives: 40 USD
  • Refractometer: 45 USD
Bubble tip anemone - by Egor Kamelev (Pexels)

Go shopping!

Here is a list of things you need to get started. Use the checkboxes to mark the items you want to buy, fill in your email address and then press "Send". The shopping list will be sent to your email.










* First things to buy and add

Clown fish in anemone - by Nadia Chiesi (Pexels)

Get, set, go!

Planning completed, budget is set and you have everything you need for a start-up. As with most things in life, you will learn over time from both successful and failed attempts. Keep doing research, dare to test your ideas and don't give up when it feels difficult.

So.. let's get started with the most important steps as per my experience.

  • 1. Mix salt water. See quantity on the package.
  • 2. Fill tank with salt water and start the tank. No lights!
  • 3. Check temperature (75-79F) and specific gravity (1.024-1.027).
  • 4. Put down living rocks and let it rest trough the nitrogen cycle.
  • 5. After 2-3 weeks, check ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and pH levels.
  • 6. Good values means introduction of fishes and light.
  • 7. When all values are within recommended range, add anemone.
  • 8. Remember to do weakly water changes (30%) and adjustment of light.

A more detailed list is on the way!