A reef tank needs more than a glass box and salt. The right gear keeps corals stable and fish safe. Use this reef aquarium equipment checklist to plan a smooth build.
Core life-support equipment
Start with the tank, stand, and a sump if possible. A sump adds water volume and hides equipment. Aim for 20–40% of display volume as sump capacity. Use an overflow with a quiet drain design.
Choose a heater with a controller for safety. Target 77–79°F and keep swings under 1°F daily. Many reefers run two smaller heaters for redundancy. Size at 3–5 watts per gallon in cool rooms.
Add strong, reliable flow. Most mixed reefs need 20–40x tank turnover per hour. SPS-heavy tanks often run 40–60x. Use two pumps for crossflow and fewer dead spots.
Filtration starts with a protein skimmer. Match it to your total system volume. Oversizing can strip nutrients in small tanks. Plan space for filter socks or a roller mat too.
- Heater controller set to 78°F, with a 0.5°F differential.
- Return pump sized for 3–5x sump turnover per hour.
- Powerheads aimed to ripple the surface, not blast corals.
For setup steps, review our saltwater aquarium setup guide. It helps you stage purchases and avoid rework.
Water quality, testing, and automation
An RO/DI unit is the best upgrade for stability. Use 0 TDS water for mixing and top-off. Replace sediment and carbon filters every 6 months. Change DI resin when TDS rises above 1.
Add an ATO to keep salinity steady. Keep salinity at 1.025–1.026 specific gravity. A stable water line also improves skimmer performance. Use a covered reservoir to reduce dust and evaporation.
Testing gear prevents guesswork. Track alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nitrate, and phosphate. Good targets are Alk 7.5–9.0 dKH, Ca 400–450 ppm, and Mg 1250–1400 ppm. Keep nitrate 5–15 ppm and phosphate 0.03–0.10 ppm for mixed reefs.
Automation helps, but start simple. A pH probe is useful for trend tracking. A temperature probe can trigger alerts. If you dose, use calibrated dosing pumps and measure Alk daily at first.
- Mix saltwater for 24 hours with heat and strong circulation.
- Calibrate refractometers with 35 ppt calibration fluid.
- Log results weekly to spot drift before coral stress.
Need a steady routine? See our reef tank water parameters guide for target ranges and warning signs.
Lighting, aquascape, and common add-ons
Lighting choices depend on coral goals. Soft corals often thrive at 50–100 PAR. LPS often prefer 75–150 PAR. Many SPS need 200–350 PAR in the top third. Use a timer and ramp up intensity over 2–4 weeks.
Aquascape with stable rock and good swim lanes. Use 0.8–1.5 pounds of rock per gallon as a rough guide. Leave 2–3 inches from glass for cleaning. Use epoxy or cement to lock top-heavy structures.
Add-ons can solve specific problems. A refugium light can grow chaeto for nutrient control. A UV sterilizer can reduce waterborne algae and parasites. Run 1–2x display volume per hour through UV for clarity, or slower for parasite control.
Plan for maintenance tools from day one. Get algae magnets, a turkey baster, and a siphon hose. Keep spare pump parts and extra tubing. Most failures happen on weekends.
- Quarantine tank: 10–20 gallons, heater, sponge filter, and PVC hides.
- Battery backup or air pump for outages longer than 2 hours.
- Power strip with drip loops and labeled plugs for fast shutdowns.
For fish safety, read our marine fish quarantine walkthrough. It reduces ich risk and protects new coral additions.
Build your checklist around your goals and budget. Buy for stability first, then for convenience. Test often and change one thing at a time. Your reef will reward steady hands.
Sources: Reefkeeping Magazine (aquarium husbandry articles); Randy Holmes-Farley, Reef Aquarium Water Parameters; manufacturer manuals for heaters, skimmers, and UV sizing.
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