What Makes Up a Reef System?
The display tank is what you see; most of the work happens in a second tank below, the sump. The system includes the display and overflow, the sump that hides filtration and equipment, a protein skimmer that strips dissolved waste, a return pump, flow pumps for coral water movement, heater and chiller, programmable LED lighting, a dosing pump or calcium reactor, and a reverse-osmosis unit with automatic top-off so salinity stays constant.
Target Water Parameters
| Parameter | Target range |
|---|---|
| Salinity | 1.025–1.026 SG (about 35 ppt) |
| Temperature | 24–26 °C |
| pH | 8.0–8.4 |
| Alkalinity (KH) | 7–9 dKH |
| Calcium | 400–450 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 1,250–1,400 mg/L |
| Nitrate | 2–10 mg/L |
| Phosphate | 0.03–0.1 mg/L |
These are general starting points, fine-tuned to the corals kept.
Care and Testing Frequency
| Task | Recommended frequency |
|---|---|
| Water change | 10% weekly or 20% every two weeks (Bulk Reef Supply) |
| Top-off for evaporation | Daily, with automatic top-off |
| Salinity check | Every few days |
| Alkalinity test | 2–3 times a week when new, weekly once established |
| Calcium and magnesium | Weekly or every two weeks |
| Nitrate and phosphate | Weekly |
| Service visit | Weekly; every two weeks for mature systems with auto-dosing |
Testing and reporting during visits is optional, but we recommend it for reef aquariums. Sources: Charterhouse Aquatics, Bulk Reef Supply.
Why Cycling Cannot Be Rushed
A new reef has none of the bacteria that process waste. Over a few weeks the water completes its nitrogen cycle, with brown and green algae phases that are normal. Fish go in once values settle; corals follow in stages once the system is properly stable. Rushing this is the most common cause of losses in reef aquariums.
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