Reefing for Everyone: Can reefing be kept simple for those with certain limitations?

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

Time commitment and manageability can be a major hindrance for those who want to join the hobby or for people who have been in it but have experienced a life change. At least, this has been my experience as a new parent. Reefing requires a standard of care and commitment, but can it be simplified? Of course, if you want an epic SPS forest, it requires a lot of commitment (time and money), but for people and families who just want to enjoy a little slice of reefing, can it be done simply? Let's discuss if it's possible, and if so, how it can be done. Here are a few specific topics to think about:

• Hardy, low-maintenance, and/or affordable coral
• Hardy, low-maintenance, and/or affordable fish
• Ideal aquarium sizes for the manageability of upkeep
• The most important pieces of equipment and the pieces that can be opted out of without consequence
• General tips on how to keep reefing manageable
• If you were going to start a "low-maintenance reef", what would that look like to you?

I'm curious to read your responses as I plan to soon reestablish my reef with a 3-month-old in the house. Some other groups of people to think about when responding are those who have large families, demanding jobs, those with disabilities, people working with limited income, etc.

Disclaimer: Yes, a lot of this is very subjective. Let's discuss anyway!

 

[245013]

Time commitment and manageability can be a major hindrance for those who want to join the hobby or for people who have been in it but have experienced a life change. At least, this has been my experience as a new parent. Reefing requires a standard of care and commitment, but can it be simplified? Of course, if you want an epic SPS forest, it requires a lot of commitment (time and money), but for people and families who just want to enjoy a little slice of reefing, can it be done simply? Let's discuss if it's possible, and if so, how it can be done. Here are a few specific topics to think about:

• Hardy, low-maintenance, and/or affordable coral
• Hardy, low-maintenance, and/or affordable fish
• Ideal aquarium sizes for the manageability of upkeep
• The most important pieces of equipment and the pieces that can be opted out of without consequence
• General tips on how to keep reefing manageable
• If you were going to start a "low-maintenance reef", what would that look like to you?

I'm curious to read your responses as I plan to soon reestablish my reef with a 3-month-old in the house. Some other groups of people to think about when responding are those who have large families, demanding jobs, those with disabilities, people working with limited income, etc.

Disclaimer: Yes, a lot of this is very subjective. Let's discuss anyway!

Maintenance wise water changes are very important so making that process as efficient as possible really helps. We are fortunate to have a deep sink in our laundry room. We bought the no spill water change kit from BRS we connect a hose to the deep sink and use the venturi effect to siphon water from the tank and send it right down the drain. Then we connect the hose to our saltwater reservoir to fill the tank. Its quick easy and prevents messes. Most annoying part is dealing with the 100ft of hose.

Of all the fancy gear you can get I highly recommend an ATO. You dont need it but it really helps. Keeps your salinity stable and its one less thing to worry about every day. Just make sure to have failsafes in place to prevent flooding.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Yes it can be simplified. But first, goals need to be established. Certain species require more stringent care, and methods must be in place to do so. Think big picture and make maintenance easy for your lifestyle. Almost no one enjoys lugging buckets of water around, so figure out a way to move the water easily (pumps, carts, etc.) If budgeting is a concern, get lower maintenance species and equipment. Larger tanks also require more money to run. First figure out your lifestyle, then plan on a tank that you know you can keep up on when you are sick, tired, and/or bored.

 

[TX_REEF]

Simplicity is absolutely possible! I've considered it, but I am hooked on shiny, expensive equipment so I haven't been able to make myself commit the time and space to a low tech reef.

If I was gonna have a low tech reef, I'd go super old school:

• 20 gallon long tank
• high quality, oversized HOB filter to handle all filtration and flow needs ( https://amzn.to/49SXbv3 ), running filter floss and carbon
• affordable reef light https://amzn.to/49SXbv3 I'd probably get 2 of these

Total cost, less than $300!

With this setup, you could have 2-3 small fish, and pretty much any coral you want!

Super easy maintenance:

• Weekly 2 gallon water changes
• 1-2x a week swap out filter floss
• change out carbon ever 1-2 months

The only item I wouldn't opt out of would be an RO/DI unit - I just don't want to be lugging distilled or premixed water from the store. That $100-$200 spend for RO/DI filter is worth it for me for convenience.

 

[X-37B]

This is an example of my simple 13g.
20×12×12 tank.
About 2 months old.
16hd.
Hygger heater.
Tidal 35 filter box.
Hygger 12 watt crossflow.
Magnetic sand, lol.
Few pieces of live rock.
Custom 1 liter ato, lol.
Dosing esv 2 part at 5ml a day by hand.
20% WC, 2g's 2× a month.

 

[BeanAnimal]

This hobby is only as complicated and time consuming as one makes it, but all-in can be less work than freshwater.

A reef and coral can be a bit more work, but FO systems are almost set and forget.

I spend less than an hour or two a month doing anything to my reef.

 

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

Maintenance wise water changes are very important so making that process as efficient as possible really helps. We are fortunate to have a deep sink in our laundry room. We bought the no spill water change kit from BRS we connect a hose to the deep sink and use the venturi effect to siphon water from the tank and send it right down the drain. Then we connect the hose to our saltwater reservoir to fill the tank. Its quick easy and prevents messes. Most annoying part is dealing with the 100ft of hose.

Of all the fancy gear you can get I highly recommend an ATO. You dont need it but it really helps. Keeps your salinity stable and its one less thing to worry about every day. Just make sure to have failsafes in place to prevent flooding.

This is a great tip for everyone, but especially for people who are living in housing that they don't own! I didn't know BRS sold a kit like that. Living in a rental myself, I'll definitely be checking that out. Damaging floors has been something on my "areas of concern" radar.

 

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

Yes it can be simplified. But first, goals need to be established. Certain species require more stringent care, and methods must be in place to do so. Think big picture and make maintenance easy for your lifestyle. Almost no one enjoys lugging buckets of water around, so figure out a way to move the water easily (pumps, carts, etc.) If budgeting is a concern, get lower maintenance species and equipment. Larger tanks also require more money to run. First figure out your lifestyle, then plan on a tank that you know you can keep up on when you are sick, tired, and/or bored.

So, in your experience, what would you consider low-maintenance species?

 

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

Simplicity is absolutely possible! I've considered it, but I am hooked on shiny, expensive equipment so I haven't been able to make myself commit the time and space to a low tech reef.

If I was gonna have a low tech reef, I'd go super old school:

• 20 gallon long tank
• high quality, oversized HOB filter to handle all filtration and flow needs ( https://amzn.to/49SXbv3 ), running filter floss and carbon
• affordable reef light https://amzn.to/49SXbv3 I'd probably get 2 of these

Total cost, less than $300!

With this setup, you could have 2-3 small fish, and pretty much any coral you want!

Super easy maintenance:

• Weekly 2 gallon water changes
• 1-2x a week swap out filter floss
• change out carbon ever 1-2 months

The only item I wouldn't opt out of would be an RO/DI unit - I just don't want to be lugging distilled or premixed water from the store. That $100-$200 spend for RO/DI filter is worth it for me for convenience.

Yep, I totally agree that RO/DI is worth the investment. That would fall into the essential equipment for me.

 

[TheNative192]

The biggest mistake I see (and one I’ve made myself) is trying to do too much, too fast. If time and cost are concerns, soft corals are easily the best choice. Corals like GSP, Xenia, mushrooms, zoas, and leather corals are extremely forgiving and don’t mostly consume alkalinity, calcium, or magnesium.

A tank stocked only with soft corals can often run for long stretches with minimal intervention. With regular but not obsessive water changes, around 20–30% per month, you can maintain stability without dosing. Even if you’re late on a water change, soft corals are usually fine. Once you add hard corals, things change quickly. LPS and SPS consume alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium, and without consistency losses happen fast. There are some hardy LPS, but for a truly low-maintenance system, soft corals keep things simple and predictable.

Overstocking is the root cause of most nutrient problems and I think people run into issues by trying to fix their nutrients issues which has a cascading effect that leads to tank crashes, especially in smaller tanks. In my opinion, overstocking accounts for the majority of issues new reefers run into. In a 20-gallon long or 25-gallon lagoon, sticking to two or three small fish makes a massive difference. Nutrients stay under control, algae is easier to manage, and the system remains stable with much less effort.

Easy fish like clownfish or captive-bred species are a great starting point. They do cost more upfront, but they tend to be hardier, adapt better to captive systems, and often save money long term by avoiding losses and frustration.

Tank size plays a big role in how manageable a system feels. The IM 25-gallon lagoon is a great balance. It’s small enough that maintenance doesn’t feel overwhelming, but large enough to maintain reasonably stable parameters. Many people recommend a 40-gallon long, which is a solid option, but the costs add up quickly. Lighting alone often requires two fixtures instead of one, and everything from rock to salt to equipment scales up from there.

There are only a few pieces of equipment that are truly necessary. A heater, a reliable light, and basic flow are non-negotiable for coral health. Beyond that, many pieces of equipment are optional depending on how heavily the tank is stocked. Skimmers, additional wave makers, reactors, refugiums, dosing systems, and controllers mostly exist to support higher bioloads or more demanding corals. If you keep fish stocking light and stick with easy corals, you can run a very successful system without most of those extras.

Buying second-hand equipment is one of the easiest ways to keep costs under control, especially for lights and pumps. The only items I usually prefer to buy new are heaters and critical electronics.

To keep reefing manageable, it helps to slow down and be intentional. Rushing livestock additions, overstocking fish, or choosing corals that don’t match your available time usually leads to frustration. Stability matters far more than chasing perfect numbers, and simple water changes solve more problems than most additives ever will. Fewer pieces of equipment also mean fewer points of failure.

If I were starting a low-maintenance low time commitment reef from scratch, it would be a 20 to 25-gallon all-in-one tank with two or three hardy, captive-bred fish and only soft corals. I’d run a single quality light, do monthly water changes in the 20 to 30 percent range, and skip dosing, skimmers, and most add-on equipment. That kind of setup stays stable, affordable, and enjoyable, even when life gets busy.

 

[dvgyfresh]

Yes , all I do is feed the tank and clean the glass , I could do more maintenance to help get rid of GHA though lol . 5 ML of AFR every 3 days is only dosing I do. The goal of my tank is simplicity so there is only soft corals and anemones. The way to start a low maintenance tank is to start with all live rock / live sand

 

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

Custom 1 liter ato, lol.

If you don't already, you need a DIY thread for this!

 

[dvgyfresh]

I would stick to 30 gallons or less also , if you ever have an emergency it’s only one 5 gallon water change away from being fixed

 

[Jasonak]

It can 100 percent be done low key and cheaper. I had SPS and LPS I did only 20 percent monthly water changes. I had black box lighting as well as a couple radions. You can have montis and birdsnest and even some acors pretty much any LPS, Clams. I did this for years. The big difference is allot of SPS would not live in my tank my tank was not as heavily stocked with fish and what was years of coral growth I can achieve in 6 months with daily testing and dosing.

 

[kevgib67]

I think that @Imrahilwjz , Wes has a big beautiful reef and manages it while being a father to 10 children. If anyone can give you insight it’s him.

 

[Jasonak]

1) I agree on the RODI I have used a 7 stage for years and thats something I wouldn't skimp on.

2) Viparspectra lights are a good cheap light will grow anything.

3) Buy your tank used.

4) People are always dropping in and out of this hobby so allot used gear can be found on market place and here for that matter.

5) Use instant ocean salt, its the cheapest and does the job.

6) Jebao pumps work fine for return pumps and wave makers

7) Build your own sump, not to hard to do and plenty of info around on that.

8) I would buy a inkbird or some type of temp monitor. Another area I wouldn't skimp on things. This is a must have along with RODI in my opinion.

 

[Rocks reef]

Simplicity is absolutely possible! I've considered it, but I am hooked on shiny, expensive equipment so I haven't been able to make myself commit the time and space to a low tech reef.

If I was gonna have a low tech reef, I'd go super old school:

• 20 gallon long tank
• high quality, oversized HOB filter to handle all filtration and flow needs ( https://amzn.to/49SXbv3 ), running filter floss and carbon
• affordable reef light https://amzn.to/49SXbv3 I'd probably get 2 of these

Total cost, less than $300!

With this setup, you could have 2-3 small fish, and pretty much any coral you want!

Super easy maintenance:

• Weekly 2 gallon water changes
• 1-2x a week swap out filter floss
• change out carbon ever 1-2 months

The only item I wouldn't opt out of would be an RO/DI unit - I just don't want to be lugging distilled or premixed water from the store. That $100-$200 spend for RO/DI filter is worth it for me for convenience.

I agree with this.

I would also go no larger than a 40 breeder. It has a nice foot print and is still very manageable. My current 40 breeder has been running for over a year with only two powerheads and a Tunze in-tank filter that takes water from the surface and below. I fill it with filter floss. I have acros, LPS and softies that are thriving. It doesn't have to be an expensive, high tech endeavor. I must add that I did use live rock from TBS, there was no dry rock used as I wanted the biome to be robust from the start. I don't run a skimmer or UV, I only use carbon each Sunday for about 4 hours after doing a water change to help with clarity.
I am in the process of upgrading to a larger tank, but it will still remain very simple with minimal equipment.

As mentioned, a RO/DI is a must as well as an ATO and temp controller. Not so much that you are controlling the temp per say, but it gives you a visual of the temp at a glance. Just little things to give you piece of mind.

 

[X-37B]

Keep it simple for succes.
One step up from the 13.
My aio 15 is what I would consider simple. Only real difference between the 13&15 are kamoer dosers on the 15 and different flow devices.
Only 9.5 g's of water.
Xr15 blue
Tunze ato
Esv 2 part with kamoer x1's
Floss, carbon and 20% WC 2× a month, 2,g's
Pretty much grow whatever you want on a small scale.
31 coral, 2 fish, snails, hermit and emerald crabs.
Maintenance involves trimming.
Before and after trim yesterday on the spiral monti.

 

[TX_REEF]

Keep it simple for succes.
One step up from the 13.
My aio 15 is what I would consider simple. Only real difference between the 13&15 are kamoer dosers on the 15 and different flow devices.
Only 9.5 g's of water.
Xr15 blue
Tunze ato
Esv 2 part with kamoer x1's
Floss, carbon and 20% WC 2× a month, 2,g's
Pretty much grow whatever you want on a small scale.
31 coral, 2 fish, snails, hermit and emerald crabs.
Maintenance involves trimming.
Before and after trim yesterday on the spiral monti.

that is gorgeous.

 

[JoJosReef]

For me, keeping simple:

- 40 gal or less tank
- AIO
- No mechanical filtration
- corals that like it dirty
- Hydros xp8
- Hydros Minnow or Blenny
- Dosing AFR (on Hydros)
- Helio plugged into xp8 as primary heating
- Inkbird plugged into xp8 as cooling (fans) and secondary heating
- Hydros temp sensor for emergency shutoffs
- Gravity ATO
- UV on standby
- Return plugged into xp8
- Hydros leak sensors for emergency return shutoff
- Powerheads on xp8
- Monthly 20% water change
- Drop in algae scrubber on standby if nutrients become a problem*
- TBS Ocean Live Rock!**

* Once running, weekly maintence by harvesting turf algae
** Critical component of the "keeping it simple" build


For a budget restricted build, same as above sans Hydros, manual addition of AFR, and weekly 10% water changes.