Best Upgrades for Your HelloReef Aquarium

The HelloReef system comes with simple mechanical filtration, which works perfectly well when you change out the filter sock on a regular basis.

But, if you want to take nutrient control to the next level or simply want to be more hands off with the tank, swapping the filter sock out for an automated fleece roller filter is a great choice. For the HelloReef 15 Gallon Kit, we recommend the N-Clear Nano Fleece Roller Filter.

What is an automated fleece roller filter?

An automated fleece roller filter replaces traditional filter socks or pads with a roll of filter fleece that automatically advances as it gets dirty. Instead of pulling out and cleaning a filter sock every few days, the system continuously moves clean fleece into place.

That means waste gets removed from the tank before it has time to break down into nitrate and phosphate. The result is cleaner water, more stable nutrients, and a lot less maintenance.

Tip: Make sure you pick up the S8088 adapter if you're using the N-Clear Nano Fleece Roller Filter for your HelloReef setup.

Protein skimmers remove dissolved organic waste from the water before it can break down into undesirable nitrate and phosphate.

Not every nano tank needs a skimmer, especially if you're good at keeping up with your weekly water changes. Many reefers will opt to add a skimmer to their tank to give themselves a little bit of a buffer, especially as the tank matures and they add more fish and corals.

But, if you want some extra filtration for your reef, these three skimmers are good options for the 15 gallon HelloReef aquarium and fit in the center rear filtration chamber:

1. Tunze Comline DOC Skimmer 9001
2. Sicce Shark 150 Internal Protein Skimmer
3. MiniQ Nano Internal Protein Skimmer

An auto top off system (ATO) automatically replaces water with freshwater to keep the salinity of your aquarium stable, all while eliminating the need for daily manual top offs. For the HelloReef 15 Gallon Kit, we recommend the N-Fill Smart ATO System.

Why an ATO system is one of the first upgrades all saltwater aquarists make:

As water evaporates, the salt stays behind, which causes salinity to slowly rise. Even small swings can stress fish and corals over time. An ATO handles this automatically by adding fresh RO/DI water as needed, keeping salinity levels stable without you having to think about it every day.

It’s also just way more convenient. Instead of topping off daily, you can go several days or more without topping off the tank, and even leave for a long weekend without worrying about it.

Tip: Place the ATO float switches in the same area as the return pump. This is the only chamber in the HelloReef rear filtration where the water level will drop with evaporation.

AquaIllumination Blade LED Light

The HelloReef Clownfish & Anemone Kit comes with a 12" AquaIllumination Blade Coral Grow LED Light, which is perfect for most low to medium light corals and anemones in this 15 gallon cube aquarium.

If you want to branch out into higher light corals, adding a second Blade LED light is a great upgrade option.

Which AI Blade Fixture Should I Use?

• 12" Blade Coral Grow: Increasing light intensity for higher light corals is your main goal.
• 12" Blade Coral Glow: You're looking for better coral florescence and coloration.

AquaIllumination Axis 20

Upgrading the return pump gives you more control over how water moves through your filtration system. If you're looking into a return pump upgrade, the AquaIllumination Axis 20 return pump is quiet, efficient, and lets you fine tune flow so you can really dial things in.

For a smaller tank like the HelloReef, that extra control can make a noticeable difference in how everything runs day to day.

Honorable Mention: VCA Random Flow Generator

If you don't want to upgrade the return pump, this return pump nozzle is a small upgrade that can have a surprisingly big impact. It provides the tank with constantly changing randomized flow patterns, which can help eliminate deadspots and keep detritus suspended so that filtration can remove it.

Not to mention, most corals thrive in variable flow.

JBJ Nano Arctica E-Chiller

If your tank tends to run warm or your home gets hotter during the summer, a nano chiller can help keep things stable. Temperature swings are one of the most common stressors in reef tanks, so adding this quiet, compressor-free chiller can go a long way.

Learn More: JBJ Launches New Nano Arctica E-Chillers

Innovative Marine Helio Heater System

Heating is just as important, and traditional heaters can sometimes fail in the on position. The Helio system uses a controller with built-in safety features to help prevent overheating, making it a much safer option overall.

Learn More: Innovative Marine Helio Aquarium Heating Systems

Flipper Float Nano - Magnetic Glass Cleaner

Keeping your glass clean is just part of the hobby, and if you make cleaning it easier, you'll be more likely to actually do it. A magnetic glass cleaner makes it quick and easy by letting you clean the inside of the glass without getting your hands wet.

The Flipper Float Nano is designed for small aquariums and even floats to the surface if the magnet separates, so you don’t have to go digging around in the tank to grab it.

Learn More: Flipper Float Nano Magnetic Glass Cleaner

AquaIllumination Nero 3 Powerhead

Water movement plays a huge role in coral health. Adding a powerhead like the Nero 3 increases circulation inside the tank, helping eliminate dead spots and keeps detritus suspended so it can be filtered out.

It also creates a wide, gentle flow pattern that works really well in smaller tanks, giving corals the kind of movement they naturally respond to.

Best of all, the Nero 3 is one of the smallest and compact form-factor powerheads out there, so it won't be an eye sore in a smaller aquarium.

Learn More: AquaIllumination Nero 3 Powerhead