Beginner Reef Tank Setup Checklist (90-Day Plan)

This beginner reef tank checklist gives you a practical 90-day plan focused on stability first. If you move slowly, keep your parameters steady, and avoid stacking major changes, your tank is far more likely to thrive.

Phase 1 (Days 1-14): Build for Stability

• Use RO/DI water and quality salt mix.
• Set salinity to 1.025-1.026 and temperature to 77-79°F.
• Install and test return pump, heater, ATO, and flow pumps.
• Design rockwork with open swim lanes and multiple flow zones.

Phase 2 (Days 15-30): Cycle Without Rushing

Add an ammonia source and monitor ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. The cycle is complete when ammonia and nitrite are zero after a test dose. Do not add fish just because water "looks clear." Keep changes minimal and let bacteria populations establish.

Phase 3 (Days 31-45): First Livestock

Start with a small clean-up crew and one hardy fish. Feed lightly and test frequently. Quarantine fish whenever possible to reduce disease risk and avoid wiping out early progress.

Phase 4 (Days 46-60): First Corals

Begin with forgiving corals and place them according to light and flow needs. Keep alkalinity, salinity, and temperature consistent. Most coral losses at this stage come from rapid swings, not from "wrong" coral choices.

Phase 5 (Days 61-90): Routine and Optimization

• Set a weekly maintenance schedule (glass, socks, testing, water changes).
• Track alkalinity trends before dosing more aggressively.
• Adjust one variable at a time and observe 3-7 days before another change.
• Increase livestock slowly and keep nutrients in a controlled range.

Core Parameter Targets

• Salinity: 1.025-1.026
• Temperature: 77-79°F
• Alkalinity: 8-9 dKH
• Nitrate: low but detectable
• Phosphate: low but not zero

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Adding too many fish too quickly
• Chasing exact numbers with daily swings
• Changing lighting and flow at the same time
• Skipping quarantine and introducing disease

Simple Weekly Checklist

1. Test salinity, temperature, alkalinity.
2. Inspect equipment and ATO behavior.
3. Clean mechanical filtration.
4. Top off and perform scheduled water change.
5. Review trends before making any major adjustment.

Browse live coral listings and compare gear at reef equipment. Track tests and maintenance tasks in the ReefBay app so your first 90 days stay predictable and low-stress.