Cycle your tank
Build a working biological filter before introducing livestock.
Read the cycling guide →Reef Care Guides
Simple steps for a healthier reef. Start with the basics, build good habits and enjoy the journey.
BEGINNER FRIENDLY01 · GET STARTED 02 · KNOW YOUR WATER 03 · HELP CORALS THRIVE
New to reefkeeping? Start with cycling, learn your water parameters, then choose corals that suit your tank.
Water parameters
Understand the readings that help keep a reef stable.
View the reference →Coral care basics
Get lighting, flow and placement right from the start.
Read the coral guide →01 / Cycle your tank
Cycling grows bacteria that process ammonia from waste into nitrite and then nitrate. A clear tank can still be uncycled: test the water rather than judging by appearance.
- Prepare the system. Add reef-safe rock, saltwater and biological filter media. Run the heater and circulation, and check salinity.
- Start a fishless cycle. Use a marine cycling bacteria product and an aquarium ammonia source according to their instructions. Keep fish, corals and invertebrates out during this process.
- Test and record. Track ammonia, nitrite and nitrate using marine test kits. Follow your chosen cycling method’s testing and dosing schedule.
- Confirm the biofilter works. Follow the product’s completion test: the system should process the specified ammonia dose in its stated time, with ammonia and nitrite returning to undetectable levels. Nitrate alone does not prove the cycle is complete.
- Stock gradually. Adjust nitrate with a water change if needed, confirm stable salinity and temperature, then introduce a small first addition. Continue testing as the bioload increases.
Let the tests decide. Cycling time varies. A fixed number of days, bottled bacteria or clear water does not guarantee a tank is ready.
02 / Understand your water
These are general starting points for a typical mixed reef. Choose a consistent target suited to your animals and salt mix. Stable readings matter more than constantly adjusting to a “perfect” number.
| Parameter | Starting reference | What to remember |
|---|---|---|
| Salinity | 35 ppt | Measure with a calibrated marine salinity instrument. |
| Alkalinity | 8–9 dKH | Keep consistent; test before changing any dose. |
| Calcium | 400–450 ppm | Supports stony coral skeleton growth. |
| Ammonia & nitrite | Undetectable | After cycling, investigate a confirmed detectable reading before adding livestock. |
| Temperature | Stable, species appropriate | Check daily with a thermometer; ask us for a target for your livestock. |
| Magnesium & pH | Check your reef plan | Measure regularly and interpret alongside salinity and alkalinity. |
| Nitrate & phosphate | Low, measurable nutrients | Targets depend on coral type and feeding. Avoid abrupt changes or chasing zero. |
A simple testing habit
Record the date, readings and any changes. Check salinity and temperature regularly, and test alkalinity at least weekly while learning your tank’s demand. Test more often after new livestock, equipment or dosing changes.
Top up evaporation with fresh RO/DI water. Salt stays behind when water evaporates. For water changes, use fully mixed saltwater matched to the aquarium’s salinity and temperature.
Open reef calculators →03 / Coral care basics
- Choose for your tank. Ask about the individual coral’s light, flow, feeding and space requirements before buying. Some soft corals are a manageable starting point; each species has different needs.
- Acclimate carefully. Follow the supplier’s temperature and water acclimation advice. Inspect for pests and use a separate quarantine system where practical. If using a coral dip, check that it is suitable for the coral and follow the label.
- Introduce light gradually. Begin at an appropriate lower-light position or use your light’s acclimation programme. Blue colour alone does not tell you how intense the light is.
- Match the flow. Provide water movement suited to the coral. Avoid a direct pump jet that holds fleshy tissue against its skeleton.
- Leave room to grow. Keep space between colonies, including room for extended tentacles. Secure frags so they cannot fall or rub against nearby corals.
- Observe before adjusting. Watch tissue, colour and polyp behaviour. If a coral suddenly looks stressed, check temperature, salinity, alkalinity and equipment before making repeated changes.
Build stability first. Add livestock slowly and make one measured adjustment at a time so you can understand the result.
Your simple care routine
Use this checklist during your next tank check. Ticks reset when you reload the page.
Daily
Weekly
Need help with your reef?
Send us your tank size, livestock list, recent test readings and a clear photo. We can help you choose the next step.
Further reading
These beginner summaries draw on reefkeeping education from Bulk Reef Supply: the nitrogen cycle, water testing and adding corals. Follow your chosen fishless cycling product’s instructions for its specific completion test.