Do you need all that stuff?

[Reklaw]

Take this with a grain of salt because I'm new to saltwater tanks. But... do we really need all these expensive upgrades and equipment???

As I'm sitting here testing the water in my stock 32g biocube with my API test kit. (Which everything is perfect and right on track so far to my knowledge.) I can't help but question the forums and post that suggest you need to upgrade everything in your biocube and you also need the most expensive test kits. As a new person in the hobby it's a little overwhelming that this is suggested all the time as if I'm unable to do this without alot of $$$.

 

[TheHarold]

Nope.... you don't need any of the fancy stuff to have a very nice tank. People buy more expensive equipment in the pursuit of more redundancy and stability. Its certainly nice, but not required.

 

[Hemmdog]

Accurate test kits are important imo.

 

[Bleigh]

Take this with a grain of salt because I'm new to saltwater tanks. But... do we really need all these expensive upgrades and equipment???

As I'm sitting here testing the water in my stock 32g biocube with my API test kit. (Which everything is perfect and right on track so far to my knowledge.) I can't help but question the forums and post that suggest you need to upgrade everything in your biocube and you also need the most expensive test kits. As a new person in the hobby it's a little overwhelming that this is suggested all the time as if I'm unable to do this without alot of $$$.

I have a really successful (imo) 29 gallon biocube. It has ran with stock lights, bioballs, the biocube skimmer and uv sterilizer. I don't think the skimmer or the uv do much, but they weren't that much of an upgrade. I have nearly 50 different types of corals, many of which have had babies, so there's way more than 50 individual corals in the tank. With the growth, I have recently started dosing the tank out of necessity. To me, it doesn't seem much different than feeding the fish.

I am also upgrading to a bigger tank just because my animals no longer fit and I enjoy it, so I don't mind making a bigger investment. I also want to grow corals and animals that require more control of the light spectrum than my biocube currently offers. I could have gotten this with just changing out the lights and/or lid, but its not necessary for what I currently own. But everything I have put in (for the most part) has grown really well with stock lights. I did add an extra fan a little later when I realized I needed some more flow, but I got a small, cheap one.

I think it is totally doable to keep a healthy biocube with regular maintenance. How complex and $$$ it needs really depends on what you're planning to put in it.

 

[Bleigh]

Accurate test kits are important imo.

This is true!

 

[Reklaw]

I agree with testing being important but the API seems to work. Maybe not as easy as others, I believe maybe more susceptible to user error but it seems simple enough. Takes me back to chemistry class, using chemicals for titration results. Yes, you could use the expensive machine to test it but titration was simple and accurate.

 

[brandon429]

its possible to completely cycle a reef and run it to maturity and beyond never testing for ammonia or nitrite, so don't buy those two or upgrade them past the current allotment. they're not needed to know, because certain tank arrangements always yield predictable numbers regarding the two and because they're the two most likely to misread testers in reefing.

decent calcium and alk testing helps when you have tons of corals, before then only temp and salinity are needed.

 

[Bleigh]

You can also run into issues with not enough nitrates and phosphates when you start populating with corals, though that's not something I've run into yet.

 

[Snookin]

I agree with testing being important but the API seems to work. Maybe not as easy as others, I believe maybe more susceptible to user error but it seems simple enough. Takes me back to chemistry class, using chemicals for titration results. Yes, you could use the expensive machine to test it but titration was simple and accurate.

API are inaccurate and not great tests. For an initial tank set up just to determine if ammonia or nitrates are present you will be fine. But, if you intend to start keeping some LPS and SPS you will need better test kits that measure more precise ranges. For example: Phosphates need to be under .1 and stable. I keep mine at .04. API doesn’t have those capabilities. You have a nice looking basic tank but don’t get to cocky and think you’ve made it and dismiss better technology yet young one. Just wait a year and look back on this post for yourself and see how much you will have learned. Your attitude about test kits and certain upgrades will probably be a lot different.

 

[Blitheran]

Lol on my nano 10 gallon nuvo fusion I have a vortech mp-10, eoctech radion xr-15, neptune apex, and etc... I way overkilled my setup. Simple answer is do I need this? No! But, there is always a BUT. These are quality pieces of equipment and they are a piece of kind because I can rely on them through all eternity. Any little edge that you can take off your shoulders will help make your enjoyment better. Amazing reefs can get by with minimal equipment! It’s all about prefernce. I plan on upgrading my reef and my equipment will just be moved towards the next tank as it is prepared for it.

 

[Reklaw]

Not being cocky but just don't understand people changing everything in these tanks without even running them with the equipment provided. I know I have a basic tank but I'm being patient and waiting to try and do it right. I'm testing now for reef parameters. I get that the more advanced corals need better kits but I don't understand telling a rookie he needs these things to have a clean and simple coral/fish tank. The consensus is to take it slow so why not take it slow with the equipment and let it grow more advanced as the tank gets more advanced.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

API are inaccurate and not great tests. For an initial tank set up just to determine if ammonia or nitrates are present you will be fine. But, if you intend to start keeping some LPS and SPS you will need better test kits that measure more precise ranges. For example: Phosphates need to be under .1 and stable. I keep mine at .04. API doesn’t have those capabilities. You have a nice looking basic tank but don’t get to cocky and think you’ve made it and dismiss better technology yet young one. Just wait a year and look back on this post for yourself and see how much you will have learned. Your attitude about test kits and certain upgrades will probably be a lot different.

^This!^

 

[Teri NewbieReefer]

Every person is different. Every tank is different. Some will go for all the bells and whistles, some will keep it to the bare basics. It is up to you. I've seen great tanks with little to no fancy equipment, and I've seen tanks in bad condition that someone has sunk a ton of cashflow into. It's about patience and stability... and I don't do well with patience!

 

[Peace River]

Take this with a grain of salt because I'm new to saltwater tanks. But... do we really need all these expensive upgrades and equipment???

As I'm sitting here testing the water in my stock 32g biocube with my API test kit. (Which everything is perfect and right on track so far to my knowledge.) I can't help but question the forums and post that suggest you need to upgrade everything in your biocube and you also need the most expensive test kits. As a new person in the hobby it's a little overwhelming that this is suggested all the time as if I'm unable to do this without alot of $$$.

Your question is a good question but it is very general. As far as the dollars there is a difference between buying inexpensive cheap parts and quality equipment that may be more expensive and sometimes the cheap part way is actually more expensive in the long term. Additionally, it also depends on what you are trying to accomplish. A fish only system with hardy fish may require significantly less equipment than a large reef system focused on SPS corals, but either way water quality and water stability are key. There are inexpensive ways to do this hobby well and inexpensive ways to do this hobby poorly, just as there are expensive ways to do this hobby well and expensive ways to do this hobby poorly.

 

[AiKkz]

You definitely do not need all the fancy stuff, but if you’re a tech nerd like me then it’s essential lol.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Not being cocky but just don't understand people changing everything in these tanks without even running them with the equipment provided. I know I have a basic tank but I'm being patient and waiting to try and do it right. I'm testing now for reef parameters. I get that the more advanced corals need better kits but I don't understand telling a rookie he needs these things to have a clean and simple coral/fish tank. The consensus is to take it slow so why not take it slow with the equipment and let it grow more advanced as the tank gets more advanced.

I think there's a lot of variance in the issue. Do you need the latest and greatest equipment to run a successful reef? NOPE! Absolutely not. However, you also would be unwise to go for the cheapest thing on the shelf. In a hobby with very little regulation, some products and equipment isn't worth buying. I know this from personal experience...I bought cheap early on and suffered bc of it. What I'm talking about is buying knock-off brand heaters, or other equipment that isn't quality.

I'd say on the test kits, lighting, flow, etc. It depends on what you plan to do. If you're planning on just keeping fish, then definitely no need to invest in major equipment upgrades. However, if you plan to keep coral (and especially once you get bit by the SPS bug), you'll need to invest in better (again, not necessarily the best...but better) equipment than some of the basics.

I completely agree on the "go slow" mantra, but I'm also a big fan of only buying once. So if you're planning to upgrade in the future, it's probably worth just buying the better stuff sooner than later. My .02.

 

[jaxredsoxfan]

I don't think anyone was telling you you had to upgrade. These are just observation gained from lots of experience. I think Bleigh said it well:

I think it is totally doable to keep a healthy biocube with regular maintenance. How complex and $$$ it needs really depends on what you're planning to put in it.

I think all the fancy stuff (and Im a gadget guy so I have plenty) just make it a bit easier to keep track of levels and provide more information. Some have very successful tanks just by observing the inhabitants, but it takes some time to be able to recognize the signs of something going wrong before it gets out of hand.

 

[Bleigh]

Not being cocky but just don't understand people changing everything in these tanks without even running them with the equipment provided. I know I have a basic tank but I'm being patient and waiting to try and do it right. I'm testing now for reef parameters. I get that the more advanced corals need better kits but I don't understand telling a rookie he needs these things to have a clean and simple coral/fish tank. The consensus is to take it slow so why not take it slow with the equipment and let it grow more advanced as the tank gets more advanced.

I'm right on board with you. I do have red sea test kits. I've never used API on salt water. I had the API in my hand when I was switching to salt, and the LFS owner said to get the red sea kits and he gave me a good discount on my live rock. I've had those kits for 8-9 months and I test a LOT and I'm not even half way through them. So the cost seems pretty negligible. I do want to get an automatic tester, just cause it would give me peace of mind. But it's certainly not required.

There are plenty of people who think that if you're not going high end, that you're not doing it right. But there are others who think those people are being "brand snobs". I wasn't willing to go all out in my first foray with salt, because I wanted to make sure it was something I am capable of - more time wise than anything. I think most people on here will tell you, I've become pretty obsessed with reef keeping. So, now that I've proven to myself that it's something I want to do, can do, will do, and be moderately successful at, I don't mind upgrading and adding the bells and whistles.

Stick to your plan. And remember the art of taking advice is not learning to take it, but learning which advice to take and which to ignore. If you're not ready to do something, don't. But on the other hand, if you're having an issue and multiple people are giving you the same advice, it may be something you want to bite the bullet on. Good luck! You're at a great place!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Its a mixed reaction in this hobby BUT. . . .
In essence, you need the essentials:
Water movement
Good lighting
Salt mix
Filtration
Protein skimmer- in some cases not necessary
Reliable heater
Reliable test kit(s)

 

[CNDReef]

My tank must hate me for using a api calcium test kit lol