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Simple Reefs

Making Reefing Easy and Affordable

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Welcome to Simple Reefs - Where we make your own slice of the ocean easy and affordable
Simple Reefs
Making Reefing Easy and Affordable
  • We are taking a look at some of the reasons why your marine aquarium cycle stalls.
    Building a Budget Reef Marine Aquarium Cycling

    Stalled Cycle – Reasons Your Marine Aquarium Cycle May Be Slowing Down

    ByRichie Posted onMay 22, 2025 8:09 pmAugust 26, 2025 4:48 pm Updated onAugust 26, 2025 4:48 pm

    We are continuing our series on cycling a marine aquarium today by looking at reasons for a stalled cycle and why your marine aquarium cycle may be slowing down.

    Read More Stalled Cycle – Reasons Your Marine Aquarium Cycle May Be Slowing DownContinue

  • Stalled cycle? We are taking a look why your marine aquarium cycle might slow down or stall.
    Building a Budget Reef Marine Aquarium Cycling

    Stalled Cycle – Why Is My Marine Aquarium Taking So Long To Cycle?

    ByRichie Posted onMay 21, 2025 8:09 pmAugust 26, 2025 4:48 pm Updated onAugust 26, 2025 4:48 pm

    In this article, we are continuing our series on marine aquarium cycling by giving you a few reasons to why your marine aquarium is taking so long to cycle. Do you have a stalled cycle?

    Read More Stalled Cycle – Why Is My Marine Aquarium Taking So Long To Cycle?Continue

  • We are talking about marine aquarium instantly cycling products.
    Building a Budget Reef Marine Aquarium Cycling

    Do Instant Cycling Marine Aquarium Products Really Work?

    ByRichie Posted onMay 20, 2025 6:20 pmAugust 26, 2025 3:45 pm Updated onAugust 26, 2025 3:45 pm

    In this article that continues our series on aquarium cycling. We are answering the question Do instant cycling products really instantly cycle your aquarium?

    Read More Do Instant Cycling Marine Aquarium Products Really Work?Continue

  • A distraught aquarium owner kneels on a garage floor covered in yellow protein skimmer foam; the foam overflows from a hang-on-back skimmer into a saltwater tank with clownfish and onto a power strip, with wet-dry vacuums and Cyano RX nearby.
    Mistakes and Mishap Mondays Protein Skimmers

    Mishap Monday: That Time My Hang On Back Protein Skimmer Overflowed

    ByRichie Posted onMay 19, 2025 11:00 amFebruary 26, 2026 5:24 pm Updated onFebruary 26, 2026 5:24 pm

    In this section dedicated to the mistakes I have made in marine fishkeeping. We talk about a time when my hang on back protein skimmer overflowed in a big way.

    Read More Mishap Monday: That Time My Hang On Back Protein Skimmer OverflowedContinue

  • A How to Cure Live Rock overview image titled "LIVE ROCK CURING MADE EASY: STEP BY STEP ON A BUDGET" showing a complete marine aquarium hobbyist's workstation. A person wearing blue nitrile gloves scrubs a piece of live rock over a small gray basin while a larger gray bucket nearby contains submerged rock, a heater, and an operational wavemaker.
    Building a Budget Reef Marine Aquarium Rocks

    How to Cure Live Rock: A Step by Step Budget Conscious Guide

    ByRichie Posted onApril 25, 2025 9:49 amFebruary 26, 2026 7:27 pm Updated onFebruary 26, 2026 7:27 pm

    Dropping shipped live rock straight into your display tank is a recipe for a deadly ammonia spike. In this beginner friendly guide, we show you exactly how to safely cure live rock in a bucket using cheap equipment, complete with a step by step weekly testing schedule to guarantee success.

    Read More How to Cure Live Rock: A Step by Step Budget Conscious GuideContinue

  • Marine live rock with a magnifying glass revealing a hidden crab and aiptasia. Text: Buying Live Rock: What to Look For and Hitchhikers to Avoid.
    Building a Budget Reef Marine Aquarium Rocks

    Buying Live Rock: What to Look For, Hitchhikers to Avoid, and When to Cure It

    ByRichie Posted onApril 23, 2025 11:26 amFebruary 26, 2026 5:55 pm Updated onFebruary 26, 2026 5:55 pm

    Buying live rock can be a minefield for beginners. In this guide, we reveal exactly what colours to look for, the terrifying hitchhikers you must avoid at all costs, and how to ensure you are getting the best biological filtration for your new marine aquarium.

    Read More Buying Live Rock: What to Look For, Hitchhikers to Avoid, and When to Cure ItContinue

  • A professional photograph of a rimless marine aquarium setup. Hands are pouring white aragonite sand from a clear scoop around a dry rock aquascape placed directly on the glass. Overlay text reads: "Rock or Sand First? How to Add Sand to a Reef Tank the Right Way."
    Building a Budget Reef Marine Aquarium Sand

    Rock or Sand First? How to Add Sand to a Reef Tank the Right Way

    ByRichie Posted onApril 18, 2025 10:57 amFebruary 28, 2026 2:20 am Updated onFebruary 28, 2026 2:20 am

    Rock or sand first? It is a classic beginner question with a very important answer. We break down the Golden Rule of reef tank stability, the secret “plate trick” for clear water, and how to avoid common setup disasters. Get your substrate right the first time for a safe, crystal clear aquarium from day one.

    Read More Rock or Sand First? How to Add Sand to a Reef Tank the Right WayContinue

  • How to rinse dry reef sand to stop cloudy water: Before and after comparison for reef tank setup.
    Building a Budget Reef Marine Aquarium Sand

    Stop Cloudy Tank Water: How to Properly Rinse Dry Reef Sand

    ByRichie Posted onApril 16, 2025 11:00 amMarch 22, 2026 4:51 pm Updated onMarch 22, 2026 4:51 pm

    Dry reef sand is a brilliant money saver, but it is dirty as hell. Discover the most efficient ways to rinse your substrate, how to avoid blocking your plumbing, and why you must never rinse live sand. We break down the tactics you need for a crystal clear start.

    Read More Stop Cloudy Tank Water: How to Properly Rinse Dry Reef SandContinue

  • A split-screen comparison image with the title "Sand vs. Bare Bottom Reef Tank: Which is Best? A Simple Reefs Guide". The left panel, labeled "SAND BED REEF," shows a marine aquarium with a white sand substrate, a sand-sifting goby, a shrimp, and various corals. The right panel, labeled "BARE BOTTOM REEF," shows a marine aquarium with a clear glass bottom, high flow pumps, several tangs, and stony corals.
    Building a Budget Reef Marine Aquarium Sand

    Sand vs. Bare Bottom Reef Tank: Which is Best? The Great Reef Debate

    ByRichie Posted onApril 11, 2025 4:34 amMarch 10, 2026 1:52 am Updated onMarch 10, 2026 1:52 am

    Staring at an empty glass bottom and wondering if you actually need sand? We break down the Great Reef Debate, exploring the exact pros, cons, and maintenance realities of sand beds versus bare bottom marine aquariums. Discover how your substrate choice impacts biological filtration, water flow, and the types of fish you can safely keep.

    Read More Sand vs. Bare Bottom Reef Tank: Which is Best? The Great Reef DebateContinue

  • Split-screen cover image for the article 'How to Turn Dry Rock and Dry Sand Into Live Rock and Live Sand', showing a marine aquarium with white dry rock and sand on the left labeled 'BEFORE' and mature purple live rock and sand on the right labeled 'AFTER'.
    Building a Budget Reef Marine Aquarium Rocks

    How to Turn Dry Rock and Dry Sand Into Live Rock and Live Sand (Fishless Guide)

    ByRichie Posted onApril 3, 2025 9:56 pmFebruary 21, 2026 5:01 pm Updated onFebruary 21, 2026 5:01 pm

    Building a budget-friendly marine aquarium? Don’t waste money on premium ocean rock or expensive live sand. Learn how to “seed” cheap, sterile dry rock and dry sand using bottled bacteria, and discover the exact steps to establish a thriving, pest-free biological filter.

    Read More How to Turn Dry Rock and Dry Sand Into Live Rock and Live Sand (Fishless Guide)Continue

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Recent Posts

  • The Marine Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle Explained Simply – An Easy GuideMarch 30, 2026
  • Why You Have High Nutrients in a Marine Aquarium And The Dreaded False ZeroMarch 26, 2026
  • Hang On Back Protein Skimmers: The Good, The Bad, and The Soggy CarpetMarch 22, 2026
  • The Ultimate Protein Skimmer Buyer’s Guide for Every Aquarium – Sumps, Nano, Freshwater Conversions, & AIOMarch 11, 2026
  • The Ultimate Protein Skimmer Beginner’s Guide: Pros & Cons, How Do They Work, Do You Need OneMarch 10, 2026

Talking Equipment

  • Hang On Back Protein Skimmers: The Good, The Bad, and The Soggy CarpetMarch 22, 2026
  • The Ultimate Protein Skimmer Buyer’s Guide for Every Aquarium – Sumps, Nano, Freshwater Conversions, & AIOMarch 11, 2026
  • The Ultimate Protein Skimmer Beginner’s Guide: Pros & Cons, How Do They Work, Do You Need OneMarch 10, 2026
  • Winter Reefing: How to Keep Your Marine Aquarium Warm When Temps DropDecember 23, 2025
  • Specialised Uses For Internal Filters In Marine AquariumsSeptember 30, 2025

Popular Posts

What's New?

  • The Marine Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle Explained Simply – An Easy Guide
  • Why You Have High Nutrients in a Marine Aquarium And The Dreaded False Zero
  • Hang On Back Protein Skimmers: The Good, The Bad, and The Soggy Carpet
  • The Ultimate Protein Skimmer Buyer’s Guide for Every Aquarium – Sumps, Nano, Freshwater Conversions, & AIO
  • The Ultimate Protein Skimmer Beginner’s Guide: Pros & Cons, How Do They Work, Do You Need One

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