Parameter tracking tips, app guides, and reef keeping best practices.
COMPLETE SERIES
New Tank Journey: The Complete New Reefer's Guide
Six-part series covering every phase of your first reef tank, from day one setup through cycling, the ugly phase, first fish, first corals, and an established reef.
New Tank Journey - Phase 1
Step-by-step guide to setting up your first saltwater reef tank. Equipment checklist, salinity targets, rock types, and the one mistake every new reefer makes on day one.
April 2026 · 8 min read
New Tank Journey - Phase 2
Everything you need to know about cycling a new reef tank. How the nitrogen cycle works, how long it takes, what to test, and how to know when you're done.
April 2026 · 9 min read
New Tank Journey - Phase 3
Diatoms, green hair algae, and cyano are completely normal in a new reef tank. Here's why the ugly phase happens, what each algae type means, and how to get through it.
April 2026 · 7 min read
New Tank Journey - Phase 4
Your tank cycled and survived the ugly phase. How to choose hardy beginner fish, the one-at-a-time rule, and what to watch for after adding.
April 2026 · 8 min read
New Tank Journey - Phase 5
Parameters are stable and fish are thriving. Why softies and zoas come first, how alkalinity works, and what to avoid in year one.
April 2026 · 9 min read
New Tank Journey - Phase 6
Coralline algae is spreading, parameters are holding, and your reef is maturing. What biological maturity means, when to start dosing, and the habits that keep a reef thriving.
April 2026 · 10 min read
Deep-dive guides on reef tank chemistry, equipment, pests, and propagation.
Complete guide to nano reef tanks from 5 to 40 gallons. Equipment, livestock, parameters, and the small-tank mistakes most beginners make.
May 9, 2026 · 9 min read
Complete guide to reef tank pH. Target ranges, why pH swings, how to raise low pH safely, and how to track daily trends.
May 9, 2026 · 8 min read
Complete guide to reef tank sumps. What they do, what size you need, how to plumb one, and whether your tank actually needs a sump.
May 9, 2026 · 9 min read
Complete guide to reef tank salinity. Ideal ranges, how to test with a refractometer, what causes salinity swings, and how to adjust without shocking your corals.
May 9, 2026 · 7 min read
Complete guide to reef tank temperature. Ideal range, summer cooling, winter heating, heater sizing, controllers, and how to prevent the swings that crash tanks.
May 9, 2026 · 8 min read
Complete guide to cyanobacteria, dinoflagellates, and green hair algae. How to identify each one, what causes them, and how to get rid of them safely.
May 9, 2026 · 10 min read
Complete guide to setting up a frag tank for coral propagation. Sizing, lighting, flow, racks, plumbing into your display, and how to grow out coral frags.
May 9, 2026 · 9 min read
Complete comparison of live rock vs dry rock. Pros, cons, cycling time, pest risk, cost, and how to decide which is right for your build.
May 9, 2026 · 8 min read
Honest comparison of the NextUpReef Hub and Neptune A3 Apex. Pricing, included probes, equipment control, app features, and total cost.
May 20, 2026 · 8 min read
App features, setup how-tos, and guides for getting more from NextUpReef.
Calibrate your dosing pump and save a schedule to your Shelly outlet. Doses run 24/7 on the outlet itself even with no phone or internet.
May 23, 2026 · 8 min read
Set up a Shelly Plug US Gen4 in 5 steps entirely inside the NextUpReef app. No Shelly app needed. Control your doser, heater, skimmer, or return pump and get automated dosing history.
May 23, 2026 · 5 min read
How NextUpReef uses AI to analyze your reef tank parameters, equipment, and livestock giving you personalized advice, answering reef questions, and reading test kits from a photo.
May 2026 · 7 min read
An honest comparison of reef aquarium tracking apps. Find the best free reef app for iOS and Android.
April 4, 2026 · 6 min read
Everything you need to know about monitoring your reef tank: what to test, how often, target ranges, and the best way to spot problems before they crash your tank.
April 4, 2026 · 8 min read
Why alk, cal, and mag are the big three in reef keeping, what ideal ranges look like, and how to track them consistently.
April 4, 2026 · 7 min read
COMING SOON
More Automation & Control Guides
Step-by-step guides for automated dosing, the NextUpReef Hub, and Apex sync are on the way.
How to Set Up Automated Dosing in NextUpReef
Calibrate your dosing pump, set a daily mL target, and let NextUpReef handle the schedule with dose history logged automatically.
Setting Up the NextUpReef Hub
Unbox your Hub, connect it to your home network, and link it to your tank. Full walkthrough with photos for every step.
How to Connect a Neptune Apex to NextUpReef
Sync your Apex probe readings directly into your parameter log. Enter your IP and credentials once and NextUpReef pulls data automatically.
