Guides
Owner guides
Practical, no-filler guides for getting the most out of your gear.
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.
How to Set Up Two-Part Dosing for a Reef Tank
A practical guide to starting two-part calcium and alkalinity dosing in a reef tank: when to start, how to calculate dose rates, and how to use an automated dosing pump to maintain stable parameters.
Neptune Apex vs HYDROS: Which Reef Controller Should You Buy?
An honest comparison of the Neptune Apex A3 and CoralVue HYDROS reef controller systems, covering cost, integration, ease of use, and which system is right for different reef builds.
What Test Kits Do You Actually Need for a Reef Tank?
A practical guide to reef aquarium water testing: the minimum kit for a new reef, what to upgrade as your coral density grows, and which parameters need which precision level.
Best Return Pumps and Wavemakers for Reef Tanks: A Practical Guide
How to choose a return pump and wavemaker for a reef tank, covering flow rate calculations, DC versus AC pumps, and specific product recommendations from nano to large systems.
More guides publishing weekly.