Beginners check list

[kramerjusc]

Hey All,

As a new guy to the hobby I have been reading all of these threads and trying to learn as much as possible. If some of you pros could make a list of products and materials needed to get started what would it be? I know about the big things, tank, sump. so on but what about the things you use now that you wish you had when you started?

Thanks

 

[Katrina71]

A light timer!

 

[A Toadstool Leather]

good test kits for pH, alk, ca, mg, phosphate, nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia. Salifert and red sea have good test kits, if you have money to spare hana checkers are great. I really enjoy mine used to measure phosphate

 

[AlyciaMarieee]

Following! Also a newbie here.

 

[Stolireef]

The checklist will depend, in large part, on what you want to keep. That said, assuming a mixed reef and a drilled tank, and in no particular order
1. Good sump/fuge combo (I like trigger systems but there are several others or you can make your own using a smaller fish tank.
2. Good skimmer rated for a tank that is at least 25% larger than the one you have.
3. Powerheads for water movement in your tank. Assuming something like a 75 gallon tank, you'd want four (huge number of options here) or you could go with a gyre.
4. Turkey baster
5. Siphon to do water changes
6. Saltwater container that's at least 10% of your tank volume so you can make fresh salt water for water changes
7. RO/DI unit for making topoff and fresh saltwater.
8. Automatic Topoff System (once you get one, you can't imagine how you lived without it)
9. Good lighting system (huge options here as well)
10. Very reliable return pump. (again, lot's of options)
11. Algae magnet for cleaning glass
12. Refractometer
13. Tool kit with the following:
a. Razor blades
b. Small needle nose pliers
c. Wire cutters
d. Strap ties and a strap tie tool (makes the ties tight and clips the excess)
e. A large metal mixing bowl
f. Long handle grabber
g. Long gloves
h. Hand towels in reach of the tank
14. Most important. A very understanding spouse, parent or significant other.

 

[chefjpaul]

Patience

 

[Stolireef]

Oh, I forgot to add good power strips and make sure you are on a GFI outlet.

 

[leahfiish]

Quarantine tank + meds on hand
Fish food
Buckets
Flipper algae scraper
Powerhead to mix salt
Coral dip
Refractometer
Reliable thermometers

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

Patients

Patience ;Bookworm lol

 

[chefjpaul]

Patience ;Bookworm lol

[emoji4]

 

[Subbedout]

The checklist will depend, in large part, on what you want to keep. That said, assuming a mixed reef and a drilled tank, and in no particular order
1. Good sump/fuge combo (I like trigger systems but there are several others or you can make your own using a smaller fish tank.
2. Good skimmer rated for a tank that is at least 25% larger than the one you have.
3. Powerheads for water movement in your tank. Assuming something like a 75 gallon tank, you'd want four (huge number of options here) or you could go with a gyre.
4. Turkey baster
5. Siphon to do water changes
6. Saltwater container that's at least 10% of your tank volume so you can make fresh salt water for water changes
7. RO/DI unit for making topoff and fresh saltwater.
8. Automatic Topoff System (once you get one, you can't imagine how you lived without it)
9. Good lighting system (huge options here as well)
10. Very reliable return pump. (again, lot's of options)
11. Algae magnet for cleaning glass
12. Refractometer
13. Tool kit with the following:
a. Razor blades
b. Small needle nose pliers
c. Wire cutters
d. Strap ties and a strap tie tool (makes the ties tight and clips the excess)
e. A large metal mixing bowl
f. Long handle grabber
g. Long gloves
h. Hand towels in reach of the tank
14. Most important. A very understanding spouse, parent or significant other.

What's the metal bowl used for? Thanks!

 

[brandon429]

as a beginner I should have:
1. never allowed algae to grow in my tank while starting ID threads and doing things to the water. I should have killed the algae immediately by acting directly on the algae and the anchor point, then began researching those preventative things to stymie growback. What species your invader is does not matter, ever


if something is in your tank you dont like the look, the web has posts on how to kill it.

Others will take a different start, even to this day, algae and cyano will be farmed in cycles in the tank. but that's the most important thing I wish someone told me in 2001

if you can look at your tank through its entirety and see no invasions, then you've opted out. When you see pictures of tanks with algae problems, that was opting in, though they had no real choice as no material in reefing today says you can opt out. You have to break the rules in order to guarantee your tanks success regarding invasions.

 

[Shaddow_wolf169]

I started my 125 fish only.
Tank
Stand
Salt
Prime
Lights
Refractometer / hydrometer
Test kit for ammonia nitrites nitrates
Over flow
Heater
Return pump
1 to 2 wave makers
Sump
Let tank cycle for 1 1/2 months with no fish. Use pure ammonia, a piece of raw shrimp for a week, or a cup of urine.

 

[JoshH]

Might want to get a second job before starting...... in all seriousness stoli has an excellent list to start from. Eventually you will stumble across equipment some find useful that you might not and so on. Stick with the big things, get what you feel is the best product suited for your current and possibly future needs. Spend the extra money where it will benefit you the most. Start with what you want out of your reef inhabitant wise and build your set up around those goals. Something I wish I had done from the beginning (Purchase a tank that will fit your goals for stocking). I'm definitely biting the bullet on that mistake now...

 

[ndrwater]

Here is a big one very rarely talked about.
Know (learn, ask, read...) Which fish are compatible. What they eat, how big they will get and a biggie, where they come from. Yes... It matters. Certain fish, from certain regions DO NOT do well in our tanks.
By knowing some of these basic concepts, you will have a better chance of being successful. Too often people new to the hobby will go to a LFS and say "Ooh, the pretty blue one!" and buy it without knowing what it takes to keep that particular fish not only alive, but thriving.
Having a real game plan with a realistic end goal will help you not only to be successful, but keep you and your fishy charges happy for the long term.
Just know that not all fish are meant to be kept in captivity due to diet, size requirements or compatibility.

 

[kramerjusc]

these are all great thank you! deff few I would of never even thought of, its those little ones I think that matter most. Thank you pros I appreciate it!

 

[kramerjusc]

Oh, I forgot to add good power strips and make sure you are on a GFI outlet.

stupid question maybe, buts what GFI outlet? Also ive been reading is apex system to complex for beginner or is it essential? money not really being an issue, I have been saving to start in this hobby for a long time

 

[ndrwater]

GFCI or GFI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interruptor . Basically, the GFCI will "trip" before any major damage can occur. GFCI are required by code within 6' of a water source such as your sink. Purpose being, if you were to drop your toaster in the sink you don't get electrocuted. Same applies with fish tanks. A great example would be if a heater cracked/broke, instead of the current continuing to run through the tank, the GFCI "trips" and automatically closes the circuit.
Now the problem is, the power remains off until the GFCI is reset. To reset, there is a button in the middle of the outlet, or sometimes on the breaker panel itself.

 

[Stolireef]

A big metal bowl comes in handy for so many things. When getting new fish, you can acclimate in bowl (much easier than in the bag). When you're cleaning something like a pump, it goes into the bowl with some vinegar. If you happen to be picking algae, it's easier to dump it in the bowl. I keep it right under my tank because I use it so often.

 

[Stolireef]

stupid question maybe, buts what GFI outlet? Also ive been reading is apex system to complex for beginner or is it essential? money not really being an issue, I have been saving to start in this hobby for a long time

Apex is as complex or simple as you make it. You can start with things like controlling the temperature in the tank and maybe turning lights on and off. As you learn how to use it, it can automate all kinds of things such as water changes, dosing pumps, feeding periods, etc. Heck, I'm pretty sure you could use it to fly an airplane.

The latest software is on the internet and it makes programming very very easy.