If you’re in love with the waters and vivid colors of the ocean ecosystem, it can feel like you’re limited when it comes to bringing that passion into your home. After all, few things can compare to the beauty of a natural underwater seascape. Fortunately, installing your own reef tank can be the answer you’ve been looking for. Filled with many of the same species you’d see while scuba diving, these displays are the perfect way to pay tribute to the wonders of the sea. Use these steps for setting up a reef aquarium at home to start out on the right track.
Clean and Place Your Tank
First and foremost, take some time to clean out your tank and decide on a place to put it. Proper washing will ensure no contaminants transfer into your tank’s water, keeping your fish and other marine life healthy. Choosing a location carefully will help with ease of maintenance in the months to come. This is why it’s recommended that you keep the tank somewhere accessible and free of excess light.
Install Pumping System and Other Hardware
After this, you’ll be able to start hooking up all the necessary tank hardware. Whether it be the pumping system, the lights, or even your current regulators, you should install every item prior to putting your fish in the tank. This gives you the chance to test each device and perform any repairs or replacements ahead of time.
Arrange Live Rocks, Pour Sand, and Fill Tank
The next step for setting up a reef aquarium at home is to put all the necessary materials into your tank. This includes the live rock base, sand to coat the bottom, and—of course—the pre-mixed saltwater. Each of these components will lay the foundation for a fully-functional aquatic ecosystem. After letting these elements settle, you should always follow up by testing the water’s parameters.
Acclimate Corals and Glue Frags to the Rock
Once the water’s chemical levels register as safe for your marine life, you can start incorporating them as well. You should begin with your corals because they need additional time to get used to your tank’s specific environment. When you feel that you’ve gotten them used to the water, make sure you glue them to your live rock correctly and let them sit for a few more weeks.
Incorporate Other Marine Life
Should the coral adjustment period go smoothly, you can finally add any other specimens you want in your aquarium. This could be fish or even smaller invertebrates to help keep your system clean. Remember that other organisms might also need some time to acclimate to the environment to avoid getting sick. So, don’t rush into the process if you can avoid it.
