Do you need a reef pump for a salt water aquarium?

The short answer is yes. The long answer is... a reef tank is a tank that is supposed to mimic a coral reef. On a coral reef, the water is always moving. If at all possible, try to mimic the tides by using pumps on a timer. If done correctly, it can simulate a tide change. Remember that at dead low and dead high tides, there is some time, depending on the phase of the moon, when the water stops moving. For some organisms, this is their time to feed and for others, it is time to hide.

Keep in mind that a reef tank has a minimal amount of fish and usually a large number of soft or hard corals. The expert has hard corals. Start with soft and just get one and see if you can make it grow. Moving water is not the only thing a reef tank needs. It must have small plantonic organisms so that the coral(s) in your tank can feed. The reef tank also needs a lot of day light, so more lighting the better but too much can heat up the water.

That is the hardest part of keeping a reef tank. Most corals, like plants, can just grow with light. The water must be near perfect all the time, or at the very least, consistent so that life in the tank will get used to the balance of the water, including the temperature.

Remember, in a reef tank, you are trying to simulate the ocean. In a fresh water tank, you are most likely trying to simulate a pond or lake. With a any saltwater aquarium you must make sure of the water quality everyday, more so in a reef tank.

Be prepared to spend money on good equipment. Don't think that you can get away with a less expensive model of all the filters and skimmers and pumps you will need. Remember most of this equipment will be on 24/7.