Can't live without this in reefing..

Psustein · Jan 10, 2018

Hi all, a little back story I have been out of the hobby for about 3 years stemming from a vacation I took and my tank watcher never refilled the ATO resivour. Needless to say my tank did not fair to well and the loss left me a little at a loss as to tear down or rebuild. I chose to take a break and tear down.

The first time around in this hobby I diy'ed everything and tried to limp my way in probably like most of you have tried. Well this time no messing around. I have brought back what I can from my previous tank to build my quarantine system and I plan on doing everything right this time, and not trying to cut corners everywhere I can. My definite equipment this time around is a red sea reefer 450 deluxe with the AI led lighting and the new apex Neptune. So basically the bulk of my tank is set up there but I was wondering what equipment you more experienced reefers can't go without and things you would absolutely suggest. I'm looking for a mixed reef tank with a focus in sps. I would love any suggestions on equipment that has made your maintenance easier and tank more self sufficient. I still plan on vacationing so anything to help me avoid a catastrophe while im gone would be helpful.

SDReefer · Jan 10, 2018

The apex will help you control your tank while on vacation. You can also use a large brute trashcan to hole RODI water while away. IMO a very useful piece of equipiment is a WiFi camera, so that you can actually see your tank while you're away. The Apex basically has everything you need including auto top off, automatic feeding, automatic dosing, etc.

Psustein · Jan 10, 2018

I was thinking of the nest cam since i have one already. That is a good suggestion if I could have seen the air bubbles in my DT from my sump running dry last time it would have made a huge difference

Rolrod39 · Jan 10, 2018

Auto top off to keep water level. Lighting control to keep coral happy and autofeeder to feed inhabitants.

XNavyDiver · Jan 10, 2018

A more reliable tank sitter!

Psustein · Jan 10, 2018

Heh yeah I thought filling an ATO resivour was so simple anyone could do it.

Daltrey · Jan 10, 2018

Asking someone that knows nothing about reef tanks to take care of it while you are away is like asking your mechanic to perform a triple bypass surgery on your grandma.

If you remember nothing else just remember that.

XNavyDiver · Jan 10, 2018

Daltrey said:
Asking someone that knows nothing about reef tanks to take care of it while you are away is like asking your mechanic to perform a triple bypass surgery on your grandma.

If you remember nothing else just remember that.

I knew something was wrong when Grandma's check engine light came on...lol

XNavyDiver · Jan 10, 2018

In all seriousness, it sounds like you've got one huge point covered with the Apex purchase. I can't imagine my tank without one now. It's already been said, but an oversized vacation ATO reservoir. Auto feeder is a great tool also. With the apex, you can feed your fish with your cell phone. Get one of those feeder rings and mount it right under the auto feeder so all the pellets drop into the ring and get a chance to soak and sink instead of float directly into the overflow.

Daltrey · Jan 10, 2018

I use all three. An apex, an afs feeder and two 25 gallon holding containers for my saltwater mixing and ato. I also have a marine battery backup that will power my mp40 powerheads for a week.

Psustein · Jan 10, 2018

Anyone have a suggestion on a low profile ATO resivour around 10 gallons. I don't need a chiller where I am at and when I get the red sea reefer 450 it has an extra cabinet next to the sump. I had plans to do an out of line refugium in the extra cabinet space so if I could manage a 10gallon resivour in there as well it would be nice. It would have to be something skinny and tall. And I know the red sea comes with an ATO resivour but it is only about 2 to 3 gallons and I have read the float switch isn't the most reliable so I don't plan on using it for ATO anyway.

Daltrey · Jan 10, 2018

A norwesco 10 gallon might fit.

https://www.ntotank.com/10gallon-no...q1flLTlxH2GscLviUO135DNu6yP5ZgLAaAi8nEALw_wcB

Psustein · Jan 10, 2018

Awesome that is a great choice

Pongo · Jan 10, 2018

I've got an Advance Acrylics ATO reservoir - 14 gals and it only lasts 6 days in the winter when the house heat is running.
It is pricy but very well built and looks good with the black acrylic sitting next to the tank, not inside the dry side of the cabinet.

There's a million ways to store the top off RO/DI, but if your going to plumb a separate refugium on the dry side of the cabinet and you have room to place something on either end of the cabinet that looks good I would rather keep the ATO reservoir out from inside the cabinet.

I've got a web cam that I use daily.
It came in handy when I was away for a week and my tank sitter was checking the tank.
He texted me the plumbing was making a lot of noise so I had him take the camera off the stand to show me the water level in the overflow and then talked him through adjusting the butterfly valve on the drain.

The other recommendation I would make is to get a good skimmer for that tank.
I use a Nyos 160. I've discontinued using the filter socks, Nitrates stay at 1 - 2ppm with 20 fish in the tank.

You are going to really enjoy that Reefer 450 deluxe tank.

revhtree · Jan 10, 2018

Since some good things were mentioned already I'll mention that a camera on your tank, not the inhabitants, is a good tool! Also a place to keep an extra key for someone to get in for emergencies!

I have cameras set up on the side of my tank, tank room, sump, frag tank and front of the tank. I can watch the water level, skimmer everything. I was out of town when I got an alert that my Apex was disconnected and logged into my camera and could see that the wall where the sump and controller was on had flipped a breaker. I was able to contact a family member to come and check things out and get it running again. I have a lock box with a code on the outside of the house that has an extra key in it.

Psustein · Jan 10, 2018

Very good advice I'm deffinetly seeing the validity in getting a camera.

Zagreus · Jan 10, 2018

Not sure if you mentioned a dosing pump via neptune or another 4 head manufacturer. For me it is essential for KH, CA and MG stabity, not to mention anything else you want to consistently dose your tank. Funny when I read your headline my tunzi osmilater ato system was the 1st thing that popped into my mind before I read the comments. Also my RODI system.

XNavyDiver · Jan 10, 2018

Daltrey said:
A norwesco 10 gallon might fit.

https://www.ntotank.com/10gallon-no...q1flLTlxH2GscLviUO135DNu6yP5ZgLAaAi8nEALw_wcB

Nice tank. $50 in shipping! Ouch. Was going to order one, but too steep on the shipping.

Luis Figueroa · Jan 10, 2018

Daltrey said:
I use all three. An apex, an afs feeder and two 25 gallon holding containers for my saltwater mixing and ato. I also have a marine battery backup that will power my mp40 powerheads for a week.

your second picture with the float valve. is it drilled thru the tank or magnate? where did you get holder?

danielb333 · Jan 10, 2018

Couldn't do it without sites like these and the wealth of knowledge and tips that are passed through them. Anytime I have a question. The answers are there if willing to look.