1. Equipment review process
Every product covered as an Editor's Pick is run on a real reef system for a minimum of 90 days before publication. We don't repackage spec sheets — we measure:
- PAR readings with an Apogee MQ-510 sensor at substrate, mid-water, and top of rockwork
- Flow profiles with dye tracer to map dead zones
- Noise measured with a smartphone dB meter at 1 ft from the sump
- Skimmer performance — gallons of skimmate over 30 days, dryness, ease of cleaning
- Failure modes — we keep notes on every recall, firmware bug, or pump death
2. Livestock care standards
We never recommend tank-mate combinations or stocking levels that compromise animal welfare. Every fish profile lists:
- Minimum tank size based on adult size + territory needs (not juvenile size at purchase)
- Reef-safety with corals and invertebrates
- Aggression level (peaceful, semi, aggressive)
- Captive-bred status when available — we always favor it
Species with poor captive survival rates (e.g., cleaner wrasse, Moorish idol, certain butterflies) are flagged as not recommended regardless of their visual appeal.
3. Editorial independence
Manufacturers cannot pay for placement in our guides. We accept review samples but disclose them; samples never affect ranking. If a product receives a free unit, the review carries a clear "Sample provided by manufacturer" line — and the unit is returned, sold at cost, or kept on test for long-term reporting (also disclosed).
4. Affiliate transparency
As an Amazon Associate, Saltwater Aquarium Guide earns from qualifying purchases. Affiliate links are marked with rel="nofollow sponsored noopener" and only point to products we'd run on our own systems. We don't fabricate "best of" round-ups for SEO — every recommendation has been keepable in a real tank.
5. How tools score archetypes
Our Reef Tank Match Quiz uses weighted scoring across 9 questions. Each answer adds points to one or more of 12 reef archetypes; the highest total wins. The scoring is documented in assets/js/quiz.js and is open to community feedback.
6. Updates & corrections
Every guide displays a clear "Updated" timestamp. When equipment is discontinued or a new model launches, our recommendations move with the hobby. Reader-reported errors are corrected within 7 days; substantive corrections are noted at the bottom of the article.
7. Reefing involves living animals
This methodology exists because the cost of a bad recommendation is a dead fish or a wiped-out coral colony. We take that seriously. If you ever feel a piece of advice on this site has put a reef at risk, tell us.
Methodology v3.2 · Last reviewed May 10, 2026