SYSTEM ONLINE · Reef aquarium gear, parameter-first research
Equipment your
parameters trust.
Honest picks for reef lighting, protein skimmers, return pumps, salt mix, test kits, dosing systems, and controllers. Structured around your tank size and upgrade path, not which brand paid us.
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Bench tested
The instruments behind the glass
Three picks that define the modern reef stack: the light, the controller, the test instrument.
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EcoTech Radion XR15 G6 Pro
Mixed reef and SPS-dominant tanks from 24 to 50 gallons where even PAR across the full footprint matters more than cost.
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Neptune Apex A3 Controller System
Serious reefers with 75-gallon and larger systems who want comprehensive equipment monitoring, automated safety responses, and the deepest integration ecosystem in the hobby.
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Hanna HI772 Alkalinity Checker (dKH)
Any reefer dosing two-part, running a calcium reactor, or maintaining an SPS-dominant tank where 0.5 dKH precision is important for dosing calibration.
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Equipment categories
Seven systems, one stable reef. Every category ranked by the parameters it actually moves.
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From the archive
Best Reef LED Light for a 40-Gallon Tank: What Actually Works
A focused buyer guide for 40-gallon reef tank owners comparing LED fixtures by PAR coverage, spectrum quality, and value at the footprint that dominates the mid-size reef market.
How to Mix Saltwater for a Reef Tank: Step-by-Step
A practical how-to guide for mixing RODI water and reef salt mix correctly, testing the result before using it, and storing mixed saltwater safely.
How to Cycle a New Reef Tank: The Complete Guide
Step-by-step instructions for cycling a new reef tank using Dr. Tim's nitrifying bacteria, ammonia dosing, and daily testing to confirm a complete nitrogen cycle before adding fish or coral.
Best Protein Skimmer by Tank Size: Honest Sizing Guide for Reef Tanks
How to choose the right protein skimmer for your reef tank size, with specific product recommendations for nano tanks under 40 gallons, mid-size 50 to 100-gallon systems, and large 100-plus-gallon builds.
Why us
Why reefers trust ReefGrade
Performance vs. rated spec
Manufacturer claims (tank size rating, flow rate, PAR output) are read against community-reported performance across tank sizes and coral types, and gaps between the two are called out.
Parameter impact
For consumables and dosing products, we assess the documented effect on calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, nitrate, and phosphate, the five parameters that determine coral health, using published composition data and reef-keeper reports.
Footprint and compatibility
Equipment must fit the sump or tank dimensions it claims to fit. Published skimmer footprint, light coverage area, and pump head height are checked against the dimensions of common tank and sump configurations.