Setting Up My FIRST EVER Saltwater Aquarium! Part 1: Equipment & Startup

Рет қаралды 47,799

Жыл бұрын

This is really happening! After many many years of keeping freshwater tanks only, we are now going to explore the saltwater side of things! I'm so excited 😎
Everything I've used so far
Tank
US: bit.ly/3PSPho5
EU: bit.ly/3CDEQBJ
Light
US: bit.ly/40HoNeR
EU: bit.ly/3JxJQJs
Background foil
US: amzn.to/40E0iza
EU: amzn.to/3lO9WR8
Sand
US: amzn.to/3ZtDlOe (similar)
EU: amzn.to/3TTFphf
Filter
US: amzn.to/3LUglF8
EU: bit.ly/3eoYxUn
Lily pipes
US: amzn.to/40nchBv
EU: amzn.to/42RkiQQ
Refractometer
US: amzn.to/3JPFKgB
EU: amzn.to/42Pa7fF
Equipment I like to use (affiliate links)
Tank
US: bit.ly/3EbkdxH
EU: bit.ly/3S3y9ht
Light
US: bit.ly/3S2WxjC
EU: bit.ly/3z6R16F
Filter
US: bit.ly/3yxFttR
EU: bit.ly/3eoYxUn
Clear Filter Pipes
US: bit.ly/3RsFJkT
EU: bit.ly/3AL5oyv
Substrate
US: bit.ly/3bux8yR
EU: bit.ly/3qhHDt4
Wood (similar)
US: bit.ly/3VmDUJ0
EU: bit.ly/3MwgKfm
Rocks (similar)
US: bit.ly/3yAO7Yk
EU: bit.ly/3Tn0tLX
Dwarf Hairgrass (Eleocharis parvula)
US: bit.ly/3VsJIR5
Umbrella Hair Grass (Eleocharis Vivipara)
US: bit.ly/3MpO9br
Riccardia moss
US: bit.ly/3SR3Zy9
Juncus repens
US: bit.ly/3yyJjmo
Crypt parva
US: bit.ly/3Cs0APn
Crypt lutea
US: bit.ly/3yBGDo7
Crypt walkeri
US: bit.ly/3rSxBzu
🚨Watch this next!🚨
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How to SETUP your CO2! • EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO...
Simple fertilizer dosing! • SIMPLE AQUARIUM PLANT ...
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Пікірлер: 270

@MJAquascaping Жыл бұрын

@emblake7750 Жыл бұрын

This going to be fun,I started a month ago saltwater after great freshwater succes and tones of your videos and much appreciated help,good luck mate

@TheLiddojunior Жыл бұрын

I recommend brightwell aquatics for the required nutrients you will need to dose! Its perfect that you have RO water system that lets you support this new aquarium keeping adventure. I do recommend getting more water test kits, its so invaluable even if its a macroalgae tank. Testing for Nitrate, phosphates, and Alk I think will be the most important for macroalgae tank.

@dietere.puchta9688 Жыл бұрын

I'm gonna watch your experiment closely. I'm also interested to switch to saltwater and never had the idea to start with an algae tank. Great! Maybe AquaOwner can be some support for you, because he also started with an algae cube before his reef tank 😊

@i_need_more_coffee6050 Жыл бұрын

A German youtuber did. the same „aquaowner“ . I think it would make sence to place a extra pump in the tank for a better waterflow because of the dead zone at the cave.

@lindseychamberlain1812 Жыл бұрын

Poor😅😊😊

@armandocaceres3rd Жыл бұрын

As a saltwater reef keeper, several things to consider - with your tank in it's current location, watch for salt creep on your stand. A good practice will be to wipe your stand daily, or at a minimum, when you start seeing salt forming on the surface. This is due to the evaporation taking place. Also, consider getting an auto top off reservoir w/pump to help keep your salinity levels balanced. They make smaller ones (5 gallon size) that you can sit on the floor next to your stand. Also, with using a canister filter, if you find yourself needing to add supplemental filtration, you can add a filter reactor inline where you can insert your media without having to give up your existing filter. Two Little Fishies makes a very well known one that works just as well as it's more expensive counterparts. If you plan to add fish in the future, maybe consider adding a single firefish with either a banded coral shrimp or a fire shrimp for a tank of this size. Good luck and i'm excited to see where your journey takes you.

@sdqsdq6274 Жыл бұрын

lol, one thing i cant stand about reef is the salt creep or spray , annoying

@andricksonrodriguez1905 Жыл бұрын

Lmao what saltwater so easy my guy i have a 20 gallon only casualty cuss he jump out for me is easier than fresh

@REALOsmiumm Жыл бұрын

@@andricksonrodriguez1905 I mean, more power to you if you find it easy but the fact is that saltwater is far more complicated than fresh on a fundamental level.

@paullb2440 Жыл бұрын

Macro algae is a great idea, I’ll be really interested to see how this project progresses. I came from marine hobby and coralline algae is the sign of a healthy saltwater setup but really takes time to establish so will be interesting to see how you get on stocking macro algae. Good luck!

@jc13781 Жыл бұрын

@@REALOsmiumm no it’s literally not. People like you are damaging to the saltwater hobby. When I was 15 in Florida I literally had a garage sale 20gal tank with a hang on back filter and no heater, w a cheap fluorescent light hood. Tank was fine for years, just topped it up once in a while, barely did water changes and the fish did great. Every 3-4 months I would do a 50% or so water change and vacuum the sand. No different than my freshwater tanks. You make it as complicated as you want but don’t go spouting off disinformation as if it is some fact.

@IndoorEcosystem Жыл бұрын

That hardscape rock choice was perfect!

@FusslMitZ Жыл бұрын

This is literally the video I was hoping to find on your channel the other day :D

@CherIsmail Жыл бұрын

Keep an eye on the lava rock. Lava rock reacts differently in salt water and can leech unwanted heavy metals. Good luck and enjoy the new experience!

@rositacolmenero6328 Жыл бұрын

Is it really lavarock though? I was wondering what he was using :)

@cartilagehead6326 Жыл бұрын

speaking from experience, you're going to want an automatic top off system for a nano tank that small. I tried to manage it by hand on a 10gal during the pandemic and it was very difficult and annoying and my corals ultimately suffered and failed to establish because of it. I kept it up for about 8 months before deciding that it wasn't worth saving the $100-200 USD for a basic ATO

@thewatcher720 Жыл бұрын

Super excited for this. So glad you switched out the reef rock for lava rock, it looks so much better than that artificial stuff. I love the composition with the contrasting sand and central island design including cave spaces. I really want to see some plants in there though. You could try: - Red Ogo - Scinaia complanata - Halymenia dilatata - Halymenia maculata - Pink lace macroalgae - Nemastoma spp - Scinaia complanata - Rose Petal Macroalgae - Blue Hypnea - Blue Scroll - Grape Caulerpa - Neomeris annulata - Thalassia testudinum - Green Finger - Caulerpa prolifera - Halimeda - Cymopolia barbata Not sure if they're all macroalgae plants but there is clearly scope for an amazing saltwater, white light planted aquarium. Can't wait to see what you come up with. 👏

@chadhilburn5687 Жыл бұрын

Will be joining you shortly! So excited

@Giftig--Daniel-P Жыл бұрын

Ngl I'm super excited for this. I'd never considered a saltwater aquarium till I saw this. Now I legit am.

@priyankardas2668 Жыл бұрын

The hardscape really has a Marine feel to it...a bit different than the planted tank arrangement. Looks great. Excited to learn about macroalgae through your videos and understanding... Waiting for thr next part soon.

@user7516 Жыл бұрын

For the future when you eventually do a waterchange: always mix the water and salt in a seperate container and not directly in the tank.

@MJAquascaping Жыл бұрын

That's the plan! Even bought a new and bigger bucket 😆

@BrljoMrljo Жыл бұрын

@@MJAquascaping I was recomended to use in that bucket small power head to do mixing for you.

@TheTrompetenpeter Жыл бұрын

Also important: water first, then add the salt. If you do it the opposite way, the exothermic dissolving reaction produces a lot of heat in microscale, which can damage some salt components or form new compounds.

@justinbarnes6833 Жыл бұрын

Corals really aren't difficult depending on what kind you keep. Macro can be a challenge specially in a nano. Salinity and temp are your biggest things to keep an eye on. Either one of these items, if they sway, can cause your macro to go sexual which will require water changes to avoid losses. IMO the harder the challenge the greater the reward so I'm excited to see this build.

@Pumpnineteen Жыл бұрын

I'm excited for a non-blue light salt water setup!

@BONP1E Жыл бұрын

TMC barrel pump is a game changer.

@kkiiization Жыл бұрын

Don’t really know anything about micro algae but excited!! Can’t wait for coral reef tank as well

@bryce4085 Жыл бұрын

Use this time to experiment with one or two corals along with your macro algae! Mushrooms and gorgonians are very forgiving, you can grow them easily under white light!

@gbhil-yo Жыл бұрын

I've kept saltwater aquaria for over 25 years, including a successful (and several failed) macroalgae setups. I wish you the best of luck! Two things if I may suggest: Purchase a bit of small live rock rubble or limestone. This will act as a buffer for your water and allow for better coraline algae growth. For best macroalgae growth you'll probably need to supplement with trace elements. The only real long term success I've had with a macroalgae tank was when I used a mud-like substrate instead of sand. You'll know something is lacking when your algae starts to lighten in color and eventually turn white and dissolve into a sort of slimy mush. I'm subscribing and look forward to seeing how you progress and tackle any issues that come up.

@Taladrane Жыл бұрын

As someone who is in the planning stage of a reef tank this is awesome to see

@madhatterjones4781 Жыл бұрын

Macro algae aquascape woohh!!! Excited to see you taking on a new challenge.

@relapsed_reefer Жыл бұрын

Welcome to the club. It's nicer over here.

@syzygy_ai Жыл бұрын

Definitely get yourself an auto top off (ATO). Adding fresh RO everyday will get so old. Can't wait to see it planted!

@mryes413 Жыл бұрын

Can't wait for part 2.

@MrTommyj200sx Жыл бұрын

Can't wait to follow your journey.

@donaldportofee4475 Жыл бұрын

Excited to see this tank's journey! Especially since you are applying some freshwater techniques.

@thewatcher720 Жыл бұрын

Yes! Amazing idea. I've often wondered about scaping a saltwater aquarium in the style of a fresh water. No blue light or coral, just salty plants and colour popping fish. I love that you've decided to get salty but not in the traditional way. I've not seem anyone else really take the planted tank hobby in this direction yet but it feels like a natural progression. So exciting, just stay away from those blue lights. Good luck 🐠

@madlos123 Жыл бұрын

I have a daylight spectrum in my reef tank. 10,000K looks like im snorkeling in person. Check my channel or most recent video kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ntJze8-axKreeGQ.html

@deanfielding4411 Жыл бұрын

I used to have a glass lid over my first aquarium, but I found that for stony coral grow that air movement over the aquarium is key. So much so I also pull air in from outside and use that in the protein skimmer. It helps keep CO2 levels down and alkalinity up which is key. Also another thought, why not have a remotsump like I do? I have a hugely busy sump room and then just a few pipes going to a nice standalone reef tank. It looks awesome and allows for easier maintenance and better water quality so I can keep advanced corals.

@lakeshiamills1454 Жыл бұрын

Also, check biota for aquacultured and captive bred nano fish for that tank. There are several goby species that would do well in a tank that size

@kylebillings7659 Жыл бұрын

Huge fan here from the USA!! I’m going to really enjoy watching the updates on this project. Always wanted to go salt but like you never wanted to mess with all the extra thing needed to have one. Keep up the great work!!

@courtneykeeps Жыл бұрын

Heeeere we go! Excited for you mate! The tank is looking great already. Let me know if you need any help or macros!

@shrimpfatheruk8599 Жыл бұрын

Great to see mate. Macro is how I got sucked in and suddenly I sold up all the tanks and now have a 300l reef 😅

@MJAquascaping Жыл бұрын

😂

@jennw3408 Жыл бұрын

SO excited you were doing this!! I’ve always wanted to do saltwater but always been too scared so I’ll just live vicariously thru you lol! Can’t wait to see the rest of the journey!

@romualdomagtuloy3992 Жыл бұрын

Maybe a pistol shrimp with a watchman goby? @Everyday Aquarist also have cool macro algae setup with mollies in it

@gryzor439 Жыл бұрын

Auto top up system will make your life so much easier in saltwater for sure .you defo need stability with macro algae . Good luck you will enjoy the journey for sure .

@tabathatammaro9187 Жыл бұрын

VERY EXCITING! I LOVE the idea of starting slow and using micro algae. Looking forward to the rest of this series. 🎉

@tompage8674 Жыл бұрын

Highly recommend a tight fitting glass lid, or your salinity is going to be all over the place with that small tank.

@sarahsfishtanks Жыл бұрын

Can’t wait to see how this progresses! 🙌🏻

@nickbovee4372 Жыл бұрын

Wow! You keep hitting us with exciting updates 😊

@leedibiasio9229 Жыл бұрын

This is awesome! Good luck on your journey!

@frognugget Жыл бұрын

Can't wait to see part 2

@Ichthyofile Жыл бұрын

Way to go man! It's an exciting journey :)

@arendmarleenvandepol9086 Жыл бұрын

Ik ben echt heel benieuwd hoe dit uitpakt! 😄 Leuk om te zien hoe je dit allemaal aanpak. 👍

@connerkish5270 Жыл бұрын

Super excited for this!!!

@cherellzandell6139 Жыл бұрын

Love it! Looking forward to seeing it progress!

@AHGAQUATICS Жыл бұрын

Was going to wait until the weekend to watch but cudnt wait yes this is brilliant idea bring the freshwater and saltwater together if this works I’ll be defo trying 👏👏👏👏

@GoGoGoGoGoGoGoGoGo Жыл бұрын

Honestly the lava rock is not gonna help it may hurt more but for your next tank get live rock and at least a couple centimeters of sand this will help beneficial bacteria grow more. Also I don’t know any shrimp or fish you could but it I think a pair of clown fish will contrast well ( Get Designer clownfish more expensive but are nicer) also buy copepods they help with basically everything

@6100chris Жыл бұрын

Looking foreward to follow your journey!

@emanuel12451 Жыл бұрын

Ayeee I’m excited for you too! I just started my tank and it’s still cycling because exactly like you said I want to take my time. Also I’ve been in the freshwater hobby for a year and just now starting my first saltwater super excited.

@omnissiah369 Жыл бұрын

Already love it 😂❤

@syahirsuhaimi6533 Жыл бұрын

Yesss about time! You'll kill it again without a doubt 🔥

@dusk1947 Жыл бұрын

Best of luck Sir. I think starting with a macro algae display is a very strong first step for anyone coming from planted tanks. I would suggest you stay on top of your salinity (and RO/distilled top off) and watch you pH far more than you would with a planted tank. Freshwater organisms have a much broader tolerance than most marine species, including most macro algae's. Most other care requirements are roughly the same. Aquatic plants evolved from terrestrial plant's, which evolved from green marine algae. So they will behave similarly. Likewise with flow. Corals need abundant flow as they are animals with no real circulatory system, they survive using only osmosis and diffusion. In contrast to algae's, which have very few flow preferences. Everything else is simply a learning experience. And you have the right attitude to be successful with that. Don't rush it, and enjoy the process. Welcome to the Marine side of the hobby :)

@unknown-et2vs Жыл бұрын

I'm with you in this new journey 👌

@toddwatanabe7298 Жыл бұрын

This is great! I went the other way (reef to planted tank). I think it’s helpful to think about the unique needs and similarities of both.

@jenpink4298 Жыл бұрын

This is exciting! I can’t wait to see what happens next! Although I’m really impatient so it seems like it’s going to be a long wait😂

@anishjpeter Жыл бұрын

Been waiting for this

@HyldenLord Жыл бұрын

I'm by no mean a saltwater guy, never had one but as far as I know you don't want mechanical filtration in four filter other than protein skimmer or, for such a small tank, a filter floss that you ought to change every day (not "every few weeks"). This is because you dont want decaying matter in your system, and to keep nitrate and phosphate levels as low as possible. And to that reason you rather want hang on back filter instead of a canister filter. You're not going to keep corals in there so this should not be such big of a deal but a thing to consider. Also you should always prepare your salt water a few days earlier and not add salt into the tank directly. It's not like mineralisation in fresh water tanks where your throw a spoon of salt in there and it's ok.

@mikewolfe9458 Жыл бұрын

Very nice! Looking forward to seeing how it progresses.

@coreywirth319 Жыл бұрын

Can't wait to see how this turns out

@Talons_N_Tails Жыл бұрын

Definitely interested in following your journey on this!

@ruialbrecht1828 Жыл бұрын

looking forward to see your vlog for each stage of this tank!

@bradenguilinger9509 Жыл бұрын

Love your planted series, and like you, I have always been hesitant to make the leap to saltwater. I am excited to watch your progress! Good Luck!

@ruialbrecht1828 Жыл бұрын

wow! happy to see you set up a salty tank! hope someday I can get myself one.

@camerondurrett9769 Жыл бұрын

This is great!!! I'm glad you are trying to take on something new which alot of us wouldn't dare to.

@cr0n557 Жыл бұрын

tnx for opening this new world this is really something i need to think now that i know this way of starting saltwater tank waiting for the update love your vids👍

@rodrigotorrez Жыл бұрын

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the title lol

@zacharykunzer2823 Жыл бұрын

I also discovered and sparked an interest in macro algae tanks specifically about a year or two ago as well! Super stoked to see what you come up with for the algae itself! So far you are doing exactly what I want to try. Cheers!

@dead600 Жыл бұрын

I never expected to see this video... What a pleasant surprise! I would love to see you create a giant coral reef scape. Keep up the great content.

@GlassSurfing Жыл бұрын

Awesome! Succes!

@cinnamonoa Жыл бұрын

awesome little tank

@olivetwist Жыл бұрын

I have a 20 gallon set up like this. I love it

@AI3Dorinte Жыл бұрын

Brilliant, will watch every video on this subject, thanks!

@DjPosey3 Жыл бұрын

Great video! those mudskippers are very cool!

@FishzWorld Жыл бұрын

Same as plants tank. But it requires better equipments. Water change it's a must to keep up with elements for the animals. Specially, there is no sump.

@deanfielding4411 Жыл бұрын

Welcome to reef keeping. I strongly recommend you read Kieth Berkelhamers book and look up Reef Bum on KZfaq. I’ve used his advice alongside running the Triton Method which uses algae too. I also don’t really need to do water changes. The thing I will say is STABILITY is key. You will need an auto top of to maintain salinity for a start.

@clydesmith1855 Жыл бұрын

Thank's for sharing going to be a interesting project.

@ReefDork Жыл бұрын

Welcome to the salty side 🙂

@sovavalorant4589 Жыл бұрын

i was recently considering saltwater tank with a school of bangai cardinals and shrimps. never kept saltwater tank before, but the cardinal makes me want to keep saltwater tank.

@christinepetersen2513 Жыл бұрын

Really really exciting.

@tausnikbose90 Жыл бұрын

Really helpful video

@michaelelkinton1167 Жыл бұрын

Macro tanks are very complex. Daily dosing will be your best friend. Think of macros as a sponge that obsorbs everything rapidly, and non-stop.

@alternativeaquascaping517 Жыл бұрын

Another point, the sand is actually mined from ancient ocean deposits so its non-destructive to native habitats, and they include bacteria starters to inoculate it.

@lucasszymanski114 Жыл бұрын

Awesome! I’m also cycling my first saltwater tank. It’s a lot of fun to create any shape you want with dry Marco rock and using the crushed rock as the cement with just superglue. Looking forward to what you do with the tank! I’m sure it will be awesome!

@bubblebaath7840 Жыл бұрын

Seeing as you love freshwater and planted tanks, I think this is a great starting place and I also think a cool idea would be a paludarium style tank with mangroves growing out the top. another thing you can do as you progress is use a macro algae display tank as a refugium for a reef tank, refugiums are a great way to keep nitrates and phosphates down as well as provide a safe breeding ground for copepods and other macro-fauna and the type of tank you’re building right now is like the perfect refugium. Just a little food for thought, I’m excited to see where this goes

@jamespozone5238 Жыл бұрын

Strong work, MJ. Very curious to see how this comes together. Love the rock stacking/hardscape config on this one 👍

@jordanforever2345 Жыл бұрын

Bravo!!!

@ShrimpMania Жыл бұрын

Definitely a good idea! Very interesting to find out about saltwater aquariums I have zero knowledge of this topic👍👍

@camryds Жыл бұрын

quick note - mix water outside of the aquarium overnight to get through some precipitation then put it into the aquarium

@rickyabdullah4758 Жыл бұрын

Nice equipment for the set up 👍🏻

@OlegPalyvoda Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this video. I'm glad you decided to start a saltwater aquarium. I hope that I'll also dare to take this step.

@stevenvanbeekveld7363 Жыл бұрын

Dankje MJ! Doel van de video gelukt, nooit gedacht dat ik ooit een zoutwater tank zo willen. Maar na deze video is dat toch wat aangewakkerd!

@MJAquascaping Жыл бұрын

Yesss!! 😎

@santiagosandoval3124 Жыл бұрын

Hi Mj love what youre doing keep on going!!

@carlosbarrerajr Жыл бұрын

Very eager to see how your new saltwater venture comes out. I will admit that you have inspired me to get into freshwater and have now gotten 5 freshwater tanks along with the 3 saltwater tanks I already have running

@kelsroom2 Жыл бұрын

make little Zoa Garden coral - zoanthid and some green star polyp... clean up crew is a must. you forget to add protein skimmer

@alexandrafontaine8111 Жыл бұрын

Hi! I’m so happy with this project that I will follow with great interest. Good luck and thank you for initiating us at the same time as you. Bonjour from Quebec city! 💁🏻‍♀️🇨🇦✨

@antonbackdahl5172 Жыл бұрын

You just made me want to start my ownsaltwater macroalgae tank😅 It will also be really exiting to follow you on this awesome journey, can't wait for your next video about this tank🤩

@richardcunliffe Жыл бұрын

Just echo everyone else really. Thanks for sharing your journey so those of us with no salt water experience can follow along and learn with you. Agreed that macro algae looks like a really cool thing and appealing to the planted tank enthusiast. Going to enjoy this!

@enricolacorte901 Жыл бұрын

oh god! that make me feel so happy! maybe whit this series of video i'll find the happyness to do a salt acquarium too, keeping do this video because we love you and your channel, thanks you so much! love from Italy :)

@RussMcCord Жыл бұрын

Congratulations! I'm smiling over here. I will enjoy watching your saltwater interests expand. Your content will be valuable to others who would like to get started in saltwater as well. I began my saltwater hobby this way and in a few years my largest tank was 150 gallons. I had the sumps, skimmers, dosing pumps, top off system, premix containers, coral lighting, and more. Unfortunately, I had to give it all up when I retired and moved to Texas. =)