Oh, the things that we buy.....

[BestMomEver]

Over the years I have bought LOTS of things that I either never used, didn’t perform well or not up to how good everyone insisted it was, or just plain stupid. With our 500 gallon mega reef, we had it all. We plumbed the thing through the wall into our dining room and dedicated the entire space to our aquarium. Some of those things we really could have done without. A prime example.... a UV sterilizer. We ran one for while but at some point just turned it off. We never saw any benefit while it was on. We knew that because nothing changed after it was off! Does it have benefits? Yes. Is it necessary? Absolutely not.

Recently, I’ve bought several things that I shouldn’t have. Yesterday I purchased the most adorable horseshoe crab. Sand sifting machine. But will eventually turn over all my sand dwelling corals. I couldn’t just get a starfish... I had to have a backhoe! I also have purchased tons of additives, foods, pumps, etc. for no apparent reason.

So what have you guys purchased that you later thought was a mistake?

 

[cracker]

Where do I start ! A uv that sits on a shelf , wetdry filters Used led lights that burn up soon after . It goes on & on. My problem is picking up aquarium stuff that folks are tossing. Old pumps & filters way to small for my uses A bunch of tanks etc. I have a huge tote box full of unused pvc fittings . I can't help it.

 

[Reeferdood]

My first aquarium....
Actually, I am sure we all have bought snake oil, but this is how we learn what works and what does not. I know I have bought and tried almost everything out there. My attic has enough stuff, I could open up a store without buying anything else!

 

[BestMomEver]

I have more additives than I can use in a lifetime. Most of it is so old it should be tossed... but you never know, right? And frozen food. I have foods that people swear by but are just useless IMO. I also save boxes and receipts for everything I buy. (I did toss the boxes that aquariums come in. Maybe I should save them to put other boxes in!) Lights, pumps, filter media (lord help me!). The list goes on.!

 

[LadyMac]

API test kit! In my defense it was dual purpose, as I have few aquariums and even though I’ve reached the balace where I need no water changes, I do like to humor myself and test periodically. I wasSo excited when I found out I could test the reef too since the reagents are the same, and thought hey I can color match via the net. Then I learn that it’s one of the most inaccurate tests for marine there is.

 

[BestMomEver]

API test kit! In my defense it was dual purpose, as I have few aquariums and even though I’ve reached the balace where I need no water changes, I do like to humor myself and test periodically. I wasSo excited when I found out I could test the reef too since the reagents are the same, and thought hey I can color match via the net. Then I learn that it’s one of the most inaccurate tests for marine there is.

Yep! I have them too. Test strips are just as accurate IMO! Unfortunately, salifurt is the only other thing I can find locally. I have ordered RedSea but I hate them. I ordered a Nyos calcium test which is one of my favorites. I have some Hanna checkers as well.

 

[LadyMac]

Im hoping to get Red Sea phosphate and nitrate tests. I have a magnesium one but it’s now out of date.

 

[fish farmer]

Since people know I'm into fish....I got two free 55 tanks in the basement, one with a rusty iron stand. I used the stand to make a workbench. I may set them up as baitfish tanks for the winter, but right now they will probably house all they extra aquarium stuff I have.

I bought parts to make a kalk reactor, but may just stick with dosing kalk out of a 5 gallon bucket.