Quick reference
How much salt, sand, rock, and light?
Direct answers for the 30 most popular tank sizes. Every number is pre-computed from the calculator engines — not estimates, not folklore.
How much salt
salt mix needed for the initial fill and ongoing water changes.
How much sand
substrate (aragonite sand) at common bed depths (1", 2", 4").
How much live rock
live or dry rock at common stocking ratios (0.5–1.5 lb/gal).
How much light
fixture wattage and PAR targets for SPS, LPS, and softie reefs.
Reef supplies covered above
The salt mixes, sand, rock, and lights referenced in the per-tank pages. Buy by name once you've sized the math for your tank.
Red Sea Coral Pro Salt — 22 kg bucket (175 gal mix)
Best per-gallon value for SPS tanks.
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Tropic Marin Pro Reef Salt
7–8 dKH spec. The go-to for calcium-reactor and Triton tanks.
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Instant Ocean Reef Crystals — 200 gal box
Cheapest reef salt with decent reef chemistry. Used to start.
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CaribSea Arag-Alive Special Grade reef sand
Live aragonite, no rinse, 2-inch grain. Reef default.
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Marco Rocks dry reef rock
Cured dry rock. Cycle 4–12 weeks. No pests.
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AI Prime 16HD
Best small-tank reef light. Up to 24×24 in coverage for LPS/mixed.
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AI Hydra 32HD
Standard SPS-grade fixture. 24×24 in footprint at SPS PAR.
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