The Reef Log
Everything that actually goes into a first reef tank — the gear, the order to buy it in, and the honest timeline — explained...
2026-06-14 Your First 90 Days: A New Reef Tank TimelineWeek by week, what's actually happening in a brand-new reef — what to do, what to test, and what to leave alone while the...
2026-06-11 How to Choose a Protein Skimmer (Without Overthinking It)What a skimmer actually does, how to size one to your tank, and which to buy at every budget — from first nano to...
2026-06-08 Reef Lighting 101: Choosing an LED That Actually Grows CoralPAR, spectrum and coverage explained in plain English — plus the right light for nano, mixed and SPS reefs at every budget.
2026-06-05 Flow, Return & Turnover: Sizing Pumps for Your ReefHow much flow a reef really needs, the difference between your return pump and powerheads, and how to size both without guesswork.
2026-06-02 Planted Tank Basics: How to Grow a Lush Aquarium from Day OneThe three things plants actually need, how to set up a planted tank that thrives, and the gear to start with — no green...
2026-05-30 Low-Tech vs. High-Tech Planted Tanks: Which Should You Start With?The real difference CO2 makes, the trade-offs of each approach, and an honest recommendation for where a first planted tank should begin.
2026-05-27 Mixing Saltwater the Right Way: A Reef Water Chemistry GuideWhy your water source matters more than your salt, how to mix and measure correctly, and the handful of numbers that actually keep a...
2026-05-23 Reef Automation 101: Controllers, ATO & Dosing ExplainedWhat to automate first, what each piece of gear actually does, and how to build toward a hands-off reef without buying it all at...
2026-05-20 Dosing 101: Keeping Alkalinity, Calcium & Magnesium SteadyWhy growing coral needs you to dose, when to start, and how to choose between 2-part, all-in-one and a doser — without the chemistry...
2026-05-17 Nano vs. Standard: What Size Reef Tank Should You Start With?The honest trade-offs between a small nano and a larger reef — and why the 'easiest' first tank isn't the smallest one.
2026-05-14 Aquascaping & Rockwork: Building Reef Structure That WorksHow to choose your rock, how much you need, and how to build an aquascape that looks great and keeps water flowing — the...
2026-05-11 RO/DI Water Explained: Why It Matters and How to Choose a SystemWhat an RO/DI unit actually removes, how to pick the right one for your home, and why it's the best money a new reefer...
2026-05-08 Cycling Your Tank & the Right Order to Add LivestockWhat the nitrogen cycle actually is, how to know when it's done, and the patient stocking order that keeps a new tank stable.
2026-05-05 Fighting Algae: Why It Happens and How to Beat ItAlgae isn't bad luck — it's a balance problem with a clear cause. Here's how to read what your tank is telling you and...
2026-05-02 Starting a Nano Planted Shrimp Tank: A Beginner's GuideTiny tank, huge payoff. How to set up a planted nano for neocaridina shrimp — the gear, the water, and the patient start that...