What Serious Reefs?
A Serious Mission
To build the best resource for reefkeeping possible. A place that makes building the first reef tank obtainable and “whats next” that keeps it a hobby for decades.
A place where curiosity drives ideas.
Where applied biology drives decisions.
Where evidence beats opinion.
Where you can cut through the noise, find helpfull information the first time, spend less time scouring the internet for conflicting information and more time building something extraordinary.
That is what we do here.
100% Success Is the Bar
Our goal is universal success. Methods that work for nearly everyone, not just a some of the reefers some of the time.
We are less interested in what works once and more interested inn why sometimes it doesn’t. Embracing failure is how we
That means exploring what happens when we change light, flow, biome, nutrition, chemistry, timing, and every other variable that shapes a reef. Learning how not to fail os our way to finding universal success for everyone.
Is universal success a reasonable goal? We don't care. Building methods that work for nearly everyone, nearly every time, is what we do here.
Learning Is the Hobby
For us, learning about the animals and what makes them tick is the hobby. Simply looking at a beautiful tank and calling it a success isn't enough.
We want to understand the biological demands of the fish and corals we keep. More specifically, we want to know how each species evolved in its natural environment, why what works for one coral may not work for another..
How solar radiation, gas exchange, nutrition, trace elements, pollutants, parasites, currents, turbulence, and every other environmental parameter influences their health and long-term success.
Learning as much as we can, testing those ideas, and then sharing what we discover with you are what we do here.
We Love Technology
Technology is a hobby of its own. Understanding how technology serves biology to improve results, make the hobby easier, stand the test of time, or simply create a more elegant aquarium is our passion.
Exploring technology isn't about buying everything in sight or chasing the most expensive gear. It's about learning something new, understanding how the pieces fit together, and knowing where each approach excels and where it falls short. That way, when it's time to choose or recommend equipment, the right answer is an intuitive one.
We don't read bullet points off the packaging here. We research them. We test them. We measure them. Hard data, critical thinking, and hands-on exploration are what we do.
Meet The Instructor
Ryan Batcheller
My first reef tank was in 2004 and I've been learning ever since.
In 2007, I co-founded Bulk Reef Supply, and in 2008 I started BRStv. Over the next 16 years, our educational videos reached more than 100 million views and gave me hands on experience with a tremendous amount of reef technology.
In 2020, we sold BRS and BRStv. It was time for the next thing.
In 2024, MASNA honored me with their Pioneer Award for Hobbyist Advancement.
In 2025, I started Serious Reefs to spend the next 20 years learning, testing, and sharing, free from the distractions of retail, and advertisers.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to spend a lifetime doing what I love.
Where You Can Find Serious Reefs?
YouTube
Pros: Perfect if you're already on YouTube often. It's also the best experience for watching on a TV.
Cons: Costs a few dollars more due to YouTube's fees. Notifications can be hit or miss, so hit the bell and sign up for the Serious Reefs newsletter.
Pro Tip: Sign up in a web browser, not the iPhone/iPad app, to avoid Apple's ~30% in-app fee. Then use the app as normal.
Quick Link:SR YouTube Sign Up
*100% of SR Video Content Is Uploaded To All Three.
SeriousReefs.com
Pros: By far the lowest-cost option. Every video includes a companion article with comments, the best navigation and search for research, and email notifications for every new release.
Cons: Less community interaction than Patreon.
Pro Tip: The annual plan averages just $3.25/month.
Quick Link: SR Website Sign Up
Patreon
Pros: Patreon is where the Serious Reefs community lives. It's the best place to engage with us and other members, receive notifications for every release, and participate in giveaways. Patreon has a free trial.
Cons: Costs a bit more due to platform fees and isn't as easy to search or navigate as the Serious Reefs website.
Pro Tip: Sign up in a web browser, not the iPhone/iPad app, to avoid Apple's ~30% in-app fee. Then just use the app as normal.
Quick Link: SR Patreon Sign Up
Become A SR Member | As Low as $2.29
We’re reef tech, science, biology, and system design enthusiasts. Learning something new every week is what we do. Great reefs start with great information, and $2.29 has never gone further for your tank.
All the benefits of Serious Reefs—now 66% off annually. Save corals and fish, buy the right gear once, and avoid common reefing mistakes. A single win and SR membership pays for itself.
One meaningful benefit: Your name appears in the credits at the end of every video, permanently recognizing you as someone who helped build this resource for future generations of reefers. Your support helps Serious Reefs grow 50% faster, and the entire SR team and community sincerely thank you.