Saltwater aquarium setup: What's the minimum you need?

[revhtree Verified Admin]

We love to go overboard with our tanks...but we don't have to!

If someone asked you today to help them set up a saltwater aquarium and they just wanted the minimum, what would you tell them?

What do you think is the minimum equipment and drygoods needed to set up a saltwater aquarium?

image via @atticus

 

[Crabs McJones]

That's a tough question. Because depended on your goals the equipment is going to vary greatly.
If doing just fish id say
Tank, rock, sand, salt mix, heater, a basic aquarium light and hang on back filter (or aio tank)
If soft corals id say the same but add RO/DI system and reef specific light and a sump if not an aio.
If sps and LPS the list just keeps going lol

 

[X-37B]

First thing needed is a plan with a complete understanding of how a reef tank functions.
While researching you will get to know what each piece of equipment does and whether its a good fit for you.
Comming here for questions is fantastic but without a good understanding of how a system functions you will get confused with all the different ways/answers you get, imo.

 

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

 

[Crabs McJones]

This sums it up perfectly

 

[Reefer Matt]

I don’t think there is a minimum, just like there is no maximum. Some Reefers have coral in a vase, some have thousands of gallons. It depends on the goals, budget, and lifestyle of the potential Reefer in question.

 

[TX_REEF]

• Tank
• Salt
• Water source
• water movement device
• heater (unless you keep your room temp around 78 degrees)
• fish + food
• light (optional in reality if you only have fish)

 

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

This is actually a tough question and will come down to what each individual reefer's priorities are.

Of course, you need a tank. But you could even ask, "What kind of tank?" depending on the 'why' in why someone has decided to jump in.

 

[JayM]

I think the question is too vague to answer as it is written. I would definitely need more info. Tank size and desired livestock have a pretty significant influence on the proper equipment choices, but I guess the absolute minimum for anything would be a vessel that doesn't leak, saltwater and food.

It's kinda like simply asking "what vehicle should I buy"?
I don't know. What's your intended use? Commuting? Racing? Taking the kids to school? Towing a 5th wheel?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

It depends on the needs of the person, what they want in the tank, and whether there will be enough for future additions.

 

[Dburr1014]

If you live next to the ocean all you need is a tank and a circulation pump.
Assuming you could keep the tank in a good climate for what you're keeping and they were nonphotosynthetic animals.

 

[vlangel]

I am assuming bare minimum here. I am a less is more person by nature and here are 2 of my most basic reefs.

The 1st is a 1 gallon jar that I bought at target. It had a small amount of live rock, an open airline tube and whisper air pump and salt water. I kept the jar near a south facing window and did 100% water changes 1-2Xs a week. It had a shrimp and pom pom crab. Eventually I bought a cheap LED light for it.

The 2nd was a 5 and a half gallon aquarium that I partitioned off an area at one side to make compartments for an AIO. I bought a small Rio pump for a return. Again I used the cheap LED, live rock and 1 gallon water changes to replenish trace minerals and keep nutrients in check.

In both dry rock could be used to save $.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I am assuming bare minimum here. I am a less is more person by nature and here are 2 of my most basic reefs.

The 1st is a 1 gallon jar that I bought at target. It had a small amount of live rock, an open airline tube and whisper air pump and salt water. I kept the jar near a south facing window and did 100% water changes 1-2Xs a week. It had a shrimp and pom pom crab. Eventually I bought a cheap LED light for it.

The 2nd was a 5 and a half gallon aquarium that I partitioned off an area at one side to make compartments for an AIO. I bought a small Rio pump for a return. Again I used the cheap LED, live rock and 1 gallon water changes to replenish trace minerals and keep nutrients in check.

In both dry rock could be used to save $.

That one-gallon jar is pretty incredible. You have a lot packed in there!

 

[vlangel]

That one-gallon jar is pretty incredible. You have a lot packed in there!

That was several years ago and I don't have it set up anymore. I did keep the jar so I have the option to set it up again if I take a motion to.