New need advice on priority

[Seek&Reef]

I recently bought a used tank with a handful of fish. I have cheap api test kits and documenting my parameters daily. Like most of us, I have a LONG wish list with a limited budget. Also going out of town for 6 days in January. The items I am currently looking at are a Tunze ATO, Refugium starter kit (mud, chaeto, pods) already have light for that, better test kits, coralline algae, and ATI T5 fixture(already have a led light but not good enough for algae). Also already have some purple coralline algae growing(I think) but would like pink as well. I know that’s a pretty loaded question, but I don’t know what to prioritize.

 

[P-Dub]

I recently bought a used tank with a handful of fish. I have cheap api test kits and documenting my parameters daily. Like most of us, I have a LONG wish list with a limited budget. Also going out of town for 6 days in January. The items I am currently looking at are a Tunze ATO, Refugium starter kit (mud, chaeto, pods) already have light for that, better test kits, coralline algae, and ATI T5 fixture(already have a led light but not good enough for algae). Also already have some purple coralline algae growing(I think) but would like pink as well. I know that’s a pretty loaded question, but I don’t know what to prioritize.

For heading out of town #1 is the ATO. You won't be testing while gone and the lighting is not terribly important for fish only.
When you return.
#2 Better test kits
#3 Better lights
#4 Refugium
However, this all is really dictated by what you are trying to accomplish and what sort of system you ultimately want, which you did not tell us, yet...

 

[mdb_talon]

I would suggest the ATO. Makes a huge difference in eliminating a tedious chore while also keeping salinity stable.

 

[Idech]

I agree with ATO. I’m new to reefing too but I’ve been without one on another tank and it makes a world of difference.

Even more if you have to be away for a few days.

 

[Seek&Reef]

my absolute end goal is a mixed reef tank. But in about 6 months I’d like to be adding some soft corals but also want to make sure my system and skill is ready for that next step.

 

[Seek&Reef]

For heading out of town #1 is the ATO. You won't be testing while gone and the lighting is not terribly important for fish only.
When you return.
#2 Better test kits
#3 Better lights
#4 Refugium
However, this all is really dictated by what you are trying to accomplish and what sort of system you ultimately want, which you did not tell us, yet...

Also I don’t have any means to check phosphates, calcium, or magnesium. Phosphates is obviously the only one that matters now. Should I worry about that if I’m doing weekly 10% water changes while also having a protein skimmer?

 

[P-Dub]

Also I don’t have any means to check phosphates, calcium, or magnesium. Phosphates is obviously the only one that matters now. Should I worry about that if I’m doing weekly 10% water changes while also having a protein skimmer?

I wouldn't stress about Ph yet. You do want it in line sooner rather than later but not critical now. Algae will be the first indication of excess phosphates. I watch my tank to indicate phosphate levels between my once a month or so testing of it. I have a mature system so less of a priority for me at this point but still monitored.

 

[jda]

I would spend #25 and get Salifert Alk and Calcium test kits, but only if you have corals. If not, then who cares. Nitrate and Phosphate test kits are no big deal for just fish either. Salifert test kits are inexpensive, accurate and a good base to have around.

Do you have a refractometer? If not, get one ASAP.

If you have coral, then focus on salt and change some water for now. If not, then ATO might be a good idea next - you can just a brute trash can for now, or something cheap. If you don't have a way to get RODI, then that might be a good idea before a ATO.

Tunze ATO is $200, so you can dump in water for a while if this is a hard cost to swallow. It is worth it, but you can use that money elsewhere for now. I never minded dumping in a bit of water a day since it kept my eyes on the tank while it was new.

In summary....
Coral: Salifert Alk, Calcium, Nitrate and Phosphate Test Kits... refractometer if you don't have one.
Fish Only: refractometer if you don't have one.

Once that is done, get a way to get RODI and then a ATO. ATI T5 can be next but only for coral since fish do not care. Refugium after that - pods and stuff can go into the tank too. You can skip buying pods and stuff for your refugium and order a 10 or 20 lb live rock bundle from the Gulf and get lots of nice microfauna and bacteria - this is always a good idea, IMO.

For anything: forget about pH. Just not important nearly at all and especially not now. I have not really checked mine in a decade except to really tell people what it is and that it doesn't matter. You can do more to keep your pH in line by airing out your home regularly (the real root problem) than buying stuff to fix it.

 

[Seek&Reef]

I wouldn't stress about Ph yet. You do want it in line sooner rather than later but not critical now. Algae will be the first indication of excess phosphates. I watch my tank to indicate phosphate levels between my once a month or so testing of it. I have a mature system so less of a priority for me at this point but still monitored.

Thank you for your advice. It is greatly appreciated!!!

 

[Seek&Reef]

I would spend #25 and get Salifert Alk and Calcium test kits, but only if you have corals. If not, then who cares. Nitrate and Phosphate test kits are no big deal for just fish either. Salifert test kits are inexpensive, accurate and a good base to have around.

Do you have a refractometer? If not, get one ASAP.

If you have coral, then focus on salt and change some water for now. If not, then ATO might be a good idea next - you can just a brute trash can for now, or something cheap. If you don't have a way to get RODI, then that might be a good idea before a ATO.

Tunze ATO is $200, so you can dump in water for a while if this is a hard cost to swallow. It is worth it, but you can use that money elsewhere for now. I never minded dumping in a bit of water a day since it kept my eyes on the tank while it was new.

In summary....
Coral: Salifert Alk, Calcium, Nitrate and Phosphate Test Kits... refractometer if you don't have one.
Fish Only: refractometer if you don't have one.

Once that is done, get a way to get RODI and then a ATO. ATI T5 can be next but only for coral since fish do not care. Refugium after that - pods and stuff can go into the tank too. You can skip buying pods and stuff for your refugium and order a 10 or 20 lb live rock bundle from the Gulf and get lots of nice microfauna and bacteria - this is always a good idea, IMO.

For anything: forget about pH. Just not important nearly at all and especially not now. I have not really checked mine in a decade except to really tell people what it is and that it doesn't matter. You can do more to keep your pH in line by airing out your home regularly (the real root problem) than buying stuff to fix it.

So as of now, no coral. Salinity wise, I do Not have a refractometer but I have a Hannah salinity tester and have kept my system at 1.026 steadily for a week. When I bought my tank, he threw in an rodi system which I just changed filters on. So all water in the tank was made with rodi.

I have no problem filling my tank up daily, honestly I’m still new with this so I enjoy coming home and filling my tank and running all my test. I even made a excel sheet that I printed off for daily parameter checks lol. Only reason I want an ATO is so when I leave town for a week in January, it’s easier for someone to maintain my tank.

My tank came with close to 180lbs of live rock already cycled. (150g display, 44g sump). We tore the tank down, moved it, and set it up same day. So minimum bacteria die off if any.

like I told P-dub. Thank you for your advice. I’m so glad I found this community where everyone is working together and taking the time to teach noobs like me lol.