About ReefCrafter
Reef tank planning is a mess. The expertise lives in 10-year-old forum threads, scattered calculators, vendor configurators that only know their own gear, and YouTube videos you have to scrub through. New reefers (and a lot of veterans) end up with seven browser tabs open and a spreadsheet they made themselves.
ReefCrafter exists to fix that. We built a planner that knows the rules of reef-keeping (skimmer rating vs. bioload, light coverage vs. tank footprint, heater wattage vs. system volume) and applies them live to your build. When you change the tank, every downstream rule re-checks. When you swap a light, we tell you if it still covers the footprint. No tab-switching, no second-guessing.
What makes us different
- ·We don't sell anything. We're vendor-agnostic by design. When you click out, you go to BRS, Saltwater Aquarium, or wherever. Whoever has the best price or the fastest shipping. Some vendor links may earn a commission when an affiliate relationship is active.
- ·The rules are the product. Forum charts tell you which fish coexist. Stocking calculators count inches per gallon. Vendor configurators show you what they sell. Nobody ties it all together. We do.
- ·Free forever. No paywall, no premium tier, no upsells. The tool stays free because vendor links may help cover the bills.
- ·Documented, not magical. The full ruleset, severity model, and limits live on the methodology page. Spot a rule that should change? Email rules@reefcrafter.com.
Who's behind this
ReefCrafter is built and maintained by Max Rodes, the reefer who got tired of explaining to friends why their first build didn't need a $400 skimmer for a 20-gallon tank. He owns the documented rule set behind every check: how the rules are sourced and reviewed.
Planner FAQs
Do I need an account?
You can plan and compare gear without signing in. Saving a plan to your account, sharing it or emailing it asks you to sign in.
Can I continue later?
Your draft stays in this browser on this device. Return to the homepage to pick up where you left off. Save to your account to keep a copy beyond this browser.
What does the estimate include?
The estimate covers the selected gear. Animals, setup supplies, tax and shipping cost extra. A return pump stays out of the estimate until its setup and flow are confirmed. Check current retailer prices before buying.
Why does the planner use an example tank?
The planner currently works with a small set of example tank sizes. Check your own tank dimensions, equipment space and plumbing before buying parts.
How does ReefCrafter earn money?
Some retailer links may earn a commission when an affiliate relationship is active. The planner is free to use. Product fit still matters, and a photo does not mean a product has an affiliate link.
Get in touch
Product feedback, partnership inquiries, found a bug, want to share your build: hello@reefcrafter.com.