Reef tank consulting in Reno and Sparks

Good reasons to book a session

• You're planning your first reef and don't want to buy the wrong gear and then buy it again. A plan for a new reef tank helps here.
• Corals are browning, bleaching or receding and you can't see why.
• Algae keeps coming back, or nitrate and phosphate won't settle.
• You're upgrading or moving a tank and want a plan for the livestock. That can turn into a coral and stocking plan.
• You want someone to look over your equipment list, dosing or test routine.

What a session covers

We go through the tank, your equipment, livestock and routine, and your test history. No history yet? We work from a fresh set of tests.

What you get: written notes or a full PDF plan

After a session you get written notes with next steps, listed in the order I'd do them. If you'd rather hand the routine off, I also do regular reef tank maintenance.

Trade handoff

For a new tank or a big change, I put together a complete plan and send it as a PDF. It covers equipment, layout, setup steps and what to hand to each trade. I work with local contractors on the parts that need one. You hire and pay any contractors directly; I only coordinate. Household wiring and plumbing are done by licensed trades you hire where Nevada requires one. See plumbing and power planning.

Where sessions happen

Where sessions happen: Reno, Sparks and Lake Tahoe. I come to you. Sessions are on-site at your tank in Reno and Sparks. Lake Tahoe and nearby areas are available on request.

Reef tanks are living systems. I'll give you my honest read and a plan, but I can't promise how any animal will do.

Common questions

What happens during an on-site reef tank consultation?

I come to your tank and we go through it together: your test history or a fresh set of tests, equipment, livestock and routine. Afterward you get written notes with clear next steps, in the order I'd do them, so you know what to change first. Sessions are on-site in Reno and Sparks.

Can you help with a struggling reef tank?

Yes. Browning, bleaching or receding corals, algae that keeps coming back, and nitrate or phosphate that won't settle are all good reasons to book a session. I review the tank, tests and routine, then give you written next steps. Reef tanks are living systems, so I can't promise how any animal will do.

Do you work with the electrician or plumber I hire?

Yes. I work with local contractors on the parts of a project that need one. Your plan says what the aquarium needs, such as the equipment load or a drain location, so you can hand it to them. You hire and pay any contractors directly; I only coordinate. Household wiring and plumbing stay with licensed trades.