First saltwater voyage starting with HelloReef

[TheReefAbides]

I have been sitting on the beach thinking about starting a SW tank for years. Ive had many FW tanks and outdoor ponds growing up. Aquatics from Glo, Bettas, Koi, mix FW species, turtles ect..
The world of SW always seemed like it had a long learning curve and a steep entry and maintenance cost. So far that seems to ring true.
Stumbling upon the HelloReef Kit and learning that it takes you through with baby steps and with pace. This was a huge bonus and made it feel doable. (thank you to the creators for that)
So with that being said, I've decided to get up off the beach ( and my wallet ) and start this underwater journey with my Wife and Twin 14 month old daughters.

4-9-26



First real dive into the Kit
-Aquascaping

Current Tank Status as of 5/9/2026

 

[TheReefAbides]

Getting the stand in place with some help
View attachment 20260418_130158_CC0373AE-E4A7-4130-B987-8816ED99A90B.mov

 

[TheReefAbides]

Filling the Tank

View attachment 20260418_131009_F4E20C7F-7655-4D86-BFBC-A2E7D356C21C.mov

 

[TheReefAbides]

4-13-26




Starting with Ghost feed and Tim’s One and Only.. fingers crossed

 

[TheReefAbides]

4-15-26

New elevated light stand from AI

 

[Calmwaters]

Welcome to R2R and the wonderful adventures of the saltwater world!!!

 

[TheReefAbides]

4-16-26

Added Nature dimensions ATO kit to keep consistent salinity due to busy work and family schedule.

 

[TheReefAbides]

4-17-26

Adding a light shade from printed reef.

I much prefer the look of the tank with the shade.

 

[TheReefAbides]

4-18-26

Cleaned the glass and did some under the hood management.

A lot of wires and outlets.

What is everyone using to have enough outlets?

I went with two power strips, one to control the pump for ease of shut down during water change. With the main strip for heater and lights.

 

[TheReefAbides]

Welcome to R2R and the wonderful adventures of the saltwater world!!!

Thank you for the warm welcome

 

[Calmwaters]

4-18-26

Cleaned the glass and did some under the hood management.

A lot of wires and outlets.

What is everyone using to have enough outlets?

I went with two power strips, one to control the pump for ease of shut down during water change. With the main strip for heater and lights.

I have this power strip I bought from Amazon.
https://a.co/d/06Nhpa8d

 

[TheReefAbides]

I have this power strip I bought from Amazon.
https://a.co/d/06Nhpa8d

Wow, that one is a dandy! I might have to switch over to one like that in the near future if I add any more devices. The bummer of some of the plugs is that they can cover two outlets due to the direction. I will add that to the amazon wish list. Thanks for sharing

 

[Calmwaters]

Wow, that one is a dandy! I might have to switch over to one like that in the near future if I add any more devices. The bummer of some of the plugs is that they can cover two outlets due to the direction. I will add that to the amazon wish list. Thanks for sharing

The outlets are spaced out extra wide it works well for the big plugs as you can see with the first plug at the top of this picture.

 

[TheReefAbides]

The outlets are spaced out extra wide it works well for the big plugs as you can see with the first plug at the top of this picture.

im sure that light was a nice addition!

 

[Avgwarhawk]

Off to a great start. Keep your water test kit handy. I started testing the water at day 2. Day 3 activity was seen. Day 9 the cycle was complete. I love our HR 15g. But eyeballing 30-40 gallons.

 

[Calmwaters]

im sure that light was a nice addition!

The light is a little stick on battery powered one that I use inside the stands of all my aquariums they are great for lighting up small places.

 

[TheReefAbides]

Off to a great start. Keep your water test kit handy. I started testing the water at day 2. Day 3 activity was seen. Day 9 the cycle was complete. I love our HR 15g. But eyeballing 30-40 gallons.

Out of curiosity what test kit brand did you happen to use?

I have the API, but readings are iffy. I just ordered the BRS master reef kit. Albeit it does not have the ammonia and nitrite tests.

 

[TheReefAbides]

Off to a great start. Keep your water test kit handy. I started testing the water at day 2. Day 3 activity was seen. Day 9 the cycle was complete. I love our HR 15g. But eyeballing 30-40 gallons.

I can see how the desire to grow beyond 15gals can arise! I have a 35gal tank in my office. It was the tank I was originally going to set up, unfortunately got over whelmed with the endless set up option

 

[Avgwarhawk]

Out of curiosity what test kit brand did you happen to use?

I have the API, but readings are iffy. I just ordered the BRS master reef kit. Albeit it does not have the ammonia and nitrite tests.

I got Salifert kits. But I did use API during that cycling phase. It was ok for that.

 

[TheReefAbides]

Tested the tank tonight, started with a ghost feed of pellets on Monday in combo with Dr Tim’s one and only.

Testing with API
-Ammonia.25/.5 ppm
-Nitrite 0 ppm
-Nitrate 5 ppm

Also did a control sample of RO water with the nitrate test. (Far right, reading 0 ppm)


I have a Nyos nitrate test kit coming this week. If it is reading nitrates, the plan is to add a couple of clean up crew members feed and keep an eye on them. Then start shopping for our first 2 fish.