Step-by-step
Step 1: Plan + budgetUse the reef build calc to estimate $1,500 (budget) to $3,500+ (premium). Decide on equipment tier BEFORE buying tank - cheaping out on lights + skimmer + flow always costs more later.
Step 2: Buy tank + plumbing75-gallon drilled tank with overflow box, custom or pre-fab sump (20-30 gal),
Sicce Syncra 3.0 or
Reef Octopus VarioS-2 return pump, plumbing kit (1" return + 1.5" drain).
Step 3: Buy equipmentReef Octopus Classic 110 INT skimmer or Bubble Magus Curve 5,
EcoTech Radion XR15 G6 + supplemental Reef Brite XHO, 2x EcoTech MP10 powerheads,
Tunze Osmolator ATO,
BRS 5-stage RODI, Inkbird controller (or Apex if budget allows), 2x 200W titanium heater.
Step 4: Live rock + sand60-90 lbs aquacultured live rock from KP Aquatics or Tampa Bay Saltwater. 60 lbs aragonite sand. Aquascape using foam-board mockup first - leave swim space + maintenance access. Mortar rock pile with reef putty for stability.
Step 5: Salt + fillMix saltwater in a separate Brute trash can with powerhead + heater. Target 1.025 SG. Fill tank slowly to avoid disturbing aquascape. Run all equipment without livestock for 48 hours to verify operation.
Step 6: Cycle weeks 1-6Live rock leaches ammonia. Test every 3 days. Add Dr. Tim's One & Only after week 2 to seed bacteria. Cycle complete when ammonia + nitrite both 0 within 24h. Run carbon last week to clear dissolved organics.
Step 7: CUC + first fish week 7Add CUC: 30-40 snails (mix), 10-15 hermits, 1-2 cleaner shrimp. Wait 1 week. Then first fish: pair of ocellaris clowns. Quarantine in separate tank 30 days with copper before adding to display.
Step 8: Coral start month 3Begin with hardy soft coral: GSP, Kenya tree, mushrooms, zoanthids. Month 4: LPS (frogspawn, hammer, acan, blastomussa). Month 6: SPS if alk + Ca + Mg are stable for 4+ weeks.
Step 9: Full stocking month 4-6Add 5-7 reef-safe fish total over 8 weeks: pair clowns, royal gramma, six-line wrasse, yellow watchman goby + pistol shrimp, kole tang or tomini tang (last - tang gets full year size before new tank can support it).
Step 10: Weekly maintenanceSaturday: 10% water change (8 gal), test alk + Ca + Mg, glass clean. Sunday: skimmer cup empty, top off ATO reservoir. Monthly: replace mechanical media, blow rocks/sand with turkey baster, clean skimmer body.