Items Needed to Set Up a 25 Gal. Saltwater Fish Tank

Setting up a small saltwater fish tank can be an exciting endeavor. But with so many options at the local fish store, selecting the right supplies and materials to get started can quickly become daunting. While there is some freedom of choice when it comes to brand name and product selection, there are a few staple supplies that every aquarist needs to get a tank up and running.

  1. Tank and Stand

    • Since you already have your 25-gallon tank, the next step is finding a suitable stand. Tank stands can be purchased or made, but either way they must be extremely sturdy to maintain the weight of the saltwater fish tank, which will weigh over 250 pounds when it is full. A wooden stand should be sealed to prevent water damage, and metal stands are not advised since the salt residue can rust and deteriorate the stand over time.

    Substrate

    • Live sand, crushed coral, and inert sand are all available for saltwater tanks, but live sand has the added advantage of helping to jump-start your tank environment with beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms. You will need about 50 pounds of substrate for your 25-gallon tank.

    Live Rock

    • Live rock is very expensive, but it really is a necessity for a healthy saltwater tank, as it provides natural biological filtration, and makes the fish feel more at home. Before adding fish ,you must “cure” the live rock by allowing it to sit undisturbed for several weeks in the tank once everything is set up.

    Lighting

    • Lighting is the next big expense for a saltwater tank, but the type of lighting you choose depends on whether you intend to keep live corals and anemones, or you're planning a fish-only setup. Basic fluorescent bulbs are fine for a fish tank, but special actinic lighting will be needed in more advanced reef layouts, because corals require a specific spectrum of light to grow properly.

    Filtration

    • Filtration is very important to a saltwater tank. You can either purchase a filter that hangs on the tank, or invest in an aquarium sump, which is a multistage filtration box that rests under the tank. Sumps provide much better filtration, and have the added advantage of being hidden below the tank. You can also generally put your heater in the sump to hide this as well. In addition to the filter, powerheads are vital for water movement and aeration, and your tank should have at least two pointing in different directions.

    Other Hardware

    • Other tank hardware includes a submersible heater rated for a 25-gallon tank, a thermometer and a saltwater test kit. Test kits should minimally test pH, ammonia and nitrite levels. You will need a hydrometer for measuring the salinity of the water, unless you plan to purchase premixed water from an aquarium store. You also should have several 5-gallon buckets and fish nets on hand.