Have you decided to bring a piece of dreamy underwater landscape home with you? A great decision! But before you plunge into the world of reef aquariums, we want to give you a few important tips - so that you start the adventure of marine aquariums well prepared.

Tip 1: Become an expert and get informed!

Aquaristics is a multifaceted hobby. Aquarists deal with biological and chemical aspects as well as technical ones. The mere fact that you are reading this shows that your thirst for knowledge is great enough!

Nowadays, there is a huge flood of information. So don't waste time on the details at the beginning. That will only confuse you and take away your desire to get started. Aquariums are complex systems in which factors influence each other and many roads lead to Rome. It is important for you to know that in marine aquarium keeping there is always at least one solution for every problem!

As long as you can read (and you obviously can), you will quickly understand the necessary basics. And even if you can't read, you can find a variety of videos and podcasts on the subject on the Internet. There are also various forums, magazines and of course: books.

In order not to lose track, we recommend that you read one book intensively rather than skimming through 10 different ones. When buying, pay attention to the year of publication. The book should not be older than 10 years, because an incredible amount has happened in recent times. Last but not least, ask us or other retailers. We at Coralaxy are happy to help and advise you!

Don't worry! It's certainly not necessary to search through an entire library to start with marine aquarium keeping. It's better to limit yourself to one or two books and supplement your knowledge with podcasts or videos. Exchanging ideas with other aquarists on social media or in a forum can also be helpful.

Tip 2: Estimate the costs!

A common prejudice: “Saltwater aquariums are expensive!” - True. But it’s worth it! :)

Marine aquarium keeping is a hobby – a hobby that of course costs money. But even with a limited budget, it is possible to set up a beautiful reef tank.

So, how much does a saltwater aquarium actually cost? The unsatisfactory answer: It depends.

The size of the tank is the decisive cost factor. The larger the tank, the more technology has to be installed. This also increases the costs for electricity and consumables. After all, more animals simply fit into a larger tank. But the costs can still vary greatly, with the type of lighting (LED vs. T5) and the stock (soft corals vs. rare stony corals) playing a role.

When planning your budget, you should first consider the purchase costs for the initial equipment.

The initial equipment includes:

• (Plexi-)glass basin
• lighting
• Flow pump
• Heating element
• Skimmer
• Reverse osmosis system
• Decoration (sand, live rock…)
• Density meter
• thermometer
• Windscreen washer, hoses
• Other (bucket, scale, measuring cup…)

Optional for initial equipment:

• Filtration (biofilter, fleece filter…)
• Technical tank
• Piping
• Return pump
• Base cabinet / frame and paneling
• Automatic refill
• Dosing system
• steering

In addition, there are costs for stocking (corals, fish, invertebrates) and running costs for electricity and consumables.

Consumables include:

• Sea salt
• Water tests
• Feed
• Mineral, carbonate supply
• Filter material
• Other (nutrient control, trace elements, brushing, etc.)

It doesn't always have to be expensive. Soft corals, such as the Kenya tree, are available for just under €15.

The following cost examples will give you a rough idea:

1. Costs for a nano saltwater aquarium (60 - 75 liters)

2. Costs for an aquarium with technical tank (500 - 750 liters)

3. For comparison: Costs for a dog

As you can see, the initial purchase costs are very high. However, the overall costs for an aquarium become more relative over time and sometimes reach “dog level”.

A rough rule of thumb is: 10 - 15 € per litre (costs for initial equipment and initial stocking).

Tip 3: Choose the size of your future aquarium!

The planned size of your dream aquarium should not only be considered from a cost perspective. You should also consider other factors right from the start.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of small tanks compared to larger aquariums?

As you have already seen above, smaller aquariums are usually more cost-effective. Another advantage of nano tanks is that they require less maintenance. In addition, you can get a small aquarium up and running much faster and set it up almost anywhere - maybe even in the office or in a nice corner of the bathroom.

One disadvantage of nano saltwater aquariums is that water values ​​are much more likely to fluctuate more violently. The reason is that the small water volume cannot buffer changes, particularly in salinity or temperature, as much. This also significantly limits the choice of fish. Sensitive SPS stony corals are not necessarily the first choice for a nano saltwater aquarium and only a few fish species are satisfied with a swimming space of less than 150 liters.

An ideal compromise between “smaller” and “larger” aquariums are tanks between 200 and 500 liters. In our opinion, they are the optimal size for starting out in saltwater aquarium keeping.

Tip 4: Decide on a location!

When choosing a location, consider the permissible loads of your living space and, if necessary, clarify the placement of your aquarium with a structural engineer. After all, the floor not only has to support the water, but also the glass, decoration, base cabinet and lighting. This can easily add up to half a tonne per m² or more. In general, we recommend that you do not place your aquarium in the middle of the room, but ideally against a load-bearing wall and on a stable substructure.

All the points you should consider when choosing a location:

1. Payload of living space: clarify from 300 litres tank size
2. Surface: as level as possible
3. Sunlight: avoid direct sunlight in the aquarium
4. Background noise in the room: Aquarium can be perceived as “too loud” (noise from pumps etc.) in the bedroom, for example. However, for the sake of the aquarium inhabitants, it should not be set up in the party cellar
5. Space in front of and around the pool: leave yourself room for maintenance work
6. Close proximity to valuable furniture or electrical equipment: avoid if possible, because of the risk of water splashes
7. Sockets and proximity to the bathroom: simplifies the power supply of the technology and the water change
8. Presence: after all, your aquarium should be seen!

Tip 5: Plan your stocking in advance!

To ensure that your reef inhabitants live together harmoniously, you should have a rough idea of ​​your stock from the start. Which animals do you ultimately want to keep in your aquarium? Does the size of your tank and the concept of your reef structure meet the needs of your animals? Do the species get along with each other?

It is best to ask yourself these questions before buying a saltwater aquarium. This way you can respond to the needs of individual species in good time and adapt your concept if necessary. Angelfish and surgeonfish can sometimes only be cared for in a species-appropriate manner if the tank is 1000 liters or more. Cardinal and miracle cichlids are active at dusk and like to hide under overhangs or in caves during the day. Your tank should therefore be structured accordingly.

Also plan the order of your stocking: always start with the peaceful ones and only then add territorial representatives.

The King Solomon's Dwarf Grouper is a very keen swimmer and, despite its relatively small size, requires an aquarium of at least 150 litres.

Of course, small changes can be made later. Nevertheless, it helps to plan the equipment and design of the tank in advance with regard to the stock.

Coralaxy wishes you a good start into marine aquarium keeping!