first saltwater tank

[Marc.The.Shark]

Best advice I can give from a few years experience is get a decent RO/DI unit (try AquaSafeCanada, they have a 5 stage unit for less than $150 I think).

 

Next is, buy the last thing you need 1st. So, test kits, you will easily need $200 worth of testing supplies. I see many posts of people with algae problems after a couple of months & when someone asks what their Phosphates are they have no idea or they give the API test value, which is junk. A good test kit goes a long way & you need a few of them. No sense in putting $500 worth of coral in a cesspool.

 

So a basic API test kit for starting out is fine to check levels during cycle, but you'll need better Ca, Alk, PO4, Mg kits for down the road(salifert, Red Sea, Hanna, you pick). Better to get them now, then when issues arise & you're a week out on getting one delivered.

 

Good luck & welcome. It's a fun hobby, but addictive! Just go slow.