SALTWATER AQUARIUM MUST HAVES

[Exotic_Reefer0]

Hey everyone! I'm new to the hobby, About 6 months in. What are some of your must have equipment? I'm not talking about feeding tongs and stuff haha. Like what cool gadgets were game changers in your aquarium?

 

[lolmatt]

Hey everyone! I'm new to the hobby, About 6 months in. What are some of your must have equipment? I'm not talking about feeding tongs and stuff haha. Like what cool gadgets were game changers in your aquarium?

Hanna checker for Alk and ulr phosphorus. Also a 1-10ml auto pipette. Both have made testing a joy! I also put some cheap lights inside my stand - nice to be able to see in there.

 

[LetItReef]

Ato and Dosing pump for me.

 

[MTBake]

Automatic top off. And dosing pumps.

Another good thing to have is a poking stick to flip over snails or to move objects without putting your hand in the tank.

 

[theMeat]

Ato, uv, kalkwasser, big fuge, giving up socks, decent magnet/glass cleaner

 

[Exotic_Reefer0]

Automatic top off. And dosing pumps.

Another good thing to have is a poking stick to flip over snails or to move objects without putting your hand in the tank.

Any recommendation on a good ato? And I've never actually heard of the dosing pump. I'm guessing they dose the reef for you? Haha

 

[lolmatt]

Any recommendation on a good ato? And I've never actually heard of the dosing pump. I'm guessing they dose the reef for you? Haha

I'm a big fan of my pressure-based ato from avast marine. I use an apex to control mine.

 

[MTBake]

Any recommendation on a good ato? And I've never actually heard of the dosing pump. I'm guessing they dose the reef for you? Haha

Here's a link to dosing pumps. They help with adding solutions to the tank. Alkalinity and calcium are most common.

Dosing Pumps

Bulk Reef Supply - Saltwater Aquarium Supplies for Reef Tanks

www.bulkreefsupply.com

I've been using this ato for about 2 years with no issues at all. Great little unit, imo.

Smart ATO Micro 120P - Auto Top Off System

Now Includes Siphon Break One of the smallest all-inclusive auto top off systems on the market today. The Micro ATO includes an optical water level sensor to keep an eye on the level within the sump with no moving parts. The optical sensor is very reliable, even in complete darkness, keeping a...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[lolmatt]

Here's a link to dosing pumps. They help with adding solutions to the tank. Alkalinity and calcium are most common.

Dosing Pumps

Bulk Reef Supply - Saltwater Aquarium Supplies for Reef Tanks

www.bulkreefsupply.com

I've been using this ato for about 2 years with no issues at all. Great little unit, imo.

Smart ATO Micro 120P - Auto Top Off System

Now Includes Siphon Break One of the smallest all-inclusive auto top off systems on the market today. The Micro ATO includes an optical water level sensor to keep an eye on the level within the sump with no moving parts. The optical sensor is very reliable, even in complete darkness, keeping a...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

The new kamoer dosing pumps look very promising, as well. Band day I love my smart ato, haven't had very good luck with it and ended up preferring my diy option. If you're looking for something cheaper check out the reef breeders ato.

 

[bsr2430]

I would recommend getting out while you can...
Once you get the hang of it, you’ll want to upgrade, which will cost a ton.
Listen to your wife/girlfriend complain about any purchase you make....
You’ll never have enough! You’ll always want more, wait until you start into buying coral... Thats when my wife says “seriously, it doesn’t even move”.

Point being, you’ll love it and hate it too!

For something I think is a good for a starter, a ATO!!! That’s a must! You must keep you levels in check. I run a SpectraPure LLC-UPLC-ATO-115 ATO, a little pricy but you can’t compare to it.

 

[Exotic_Reefer0]

I would recommend getting out while you can...
Once you get the hang of it, you’ll want to upgrade, which will cost a ton.
Listen to your wife/girlfriend complain about any purchase you make....
You’ll never have enough! You’ll always want more, wait until you start into buying coral... Thats when my wife says “seriously, it doesn’t even move”.

Point being, you’ll love it and hate it too!

For something I think is a good for a starter, a ATO!!! That’s a must! You must keep you levels in check. I run a SpectraPure LLC-UPLC-ATO-115 ATO, a little pricy but you can’t compare to it.

I'll check it out! And I think it's too late for getting out lol... my best buy so far was a gyro circulation pump I think, was like $110

 

[Exotic_Reefer0]

The new kamoer dosing pumps look very promising, as well. Band day I love my smart ato, haven't had very good luck with it and ended up preferring my diy option. If you're looking for something cheaper check out the reef breeders ato.

You guys dont get scared itll malfunction and overdose your aqaurium? lol

 

[bsr2430]

I'll check it out! And I think it's too late for getting out lol... my best buy so far was a gyro circulation pump I think, was like $110

That’s a great pump! Wait until you want to upgrade it to maybe a Ecotech MP10 or MP40,haha don’t even look at them!
If you want everything to start a tank! Come over to my place any you’ll get a better deal than anywhere else!hahahaha

Hope your a lifer then!
Glad you’re here mate!

 

[bsr2430]

You guys dont get scared itll malfunction and overdose your aqaurium? lol

You can run an Apex that can control this and set alarms off if something goes wrong.

 

[bsr2430]

Also, because you’re new, as long as you maintain water changes, you’ll be fine!

What’s your setup?

 

[vetteguy53081]

- DESIRE

- PATIENCE

- RO WATER

- MONEY

 

[LAReefer4Life]

Hey everyone! I'm new to the hobby, About 6 months in. What are some of your must have equipment? I'm not talking about feeding tongs and stuff haha. Like what cool gadgets were game changers in your aquarium?

Quarantine tank, neptune apex control, and DOS pumps

 

[Exotic_Reefer0]

Also, because you’re new, as long as you maintain water changes, you’ll be fine!

What’s your setup?

36 gallon bowfront
Ocean revive t247 light(picked up for $40 haha)
75 gallon xp canister filter(got for $50)
Jebao 90 gyro pump
Basic heater
Paid for 32 pounds of live rock lol, it's expensive
I started with all live sand as well.

I have a rodi buddy system but I'm still figuring that out, it was given to me for free! I've been buying my water from the local pet store

 

[Exotic_Reefer0]

Quarantine tank, neptune apex control, and DOS pumps

Second person to mention the Apex thing, might have to check it out

 

[Exotic_Reefer0]

- DESIRE

- PATIENCE

- RO WATER

- MONEY

Money is a must, learning that hahaha. Also finding used stuff is saving my wallet and patience is a hard one so far especially for corals. My first reaction is to move it or adjust something if something looks wrong, but so many people have been telling me to just relax and let it be