How hard is it to keep a reef tank? Are corals easy? This reef tank, including saltwater fish, corals and shrimp have been on their own for about a year. Been so busy with family and life. At one point I was going to take it down but I've been reefing for over 25 years. I learned about no water changed about 10 years ago. Made the tank a lot more stable. Rose Bubble Tip Anemone has multiplied. The tangs all hung in there along with the Maroon clown fishes. Once a reef tank gets stabilized, they become very self sufficient, especially with a deep sand bed and lots of live rock. I only use a skimmer for export. I use the China LED lights as well. I've had them for about 5 years.