SALTWATER AQUARIUM MUST HAVES

RayDRoot · Feb 10, 2020

Apex controler

ZoWhat · Feb 10, 2020

I would say a tank... bc no one like wet fish flopping on the floor

bsr2430 · Feb 10, 2020

36G bowfront!!! That was my first tank! Remember one thing! Don’t cut the plastic piece at the top of the tank, the one in the middle where it connects to both sides... trust me, DON’T CUT IT!hahaha let’s just say I was very young then... had to end up giving it away for free.

Apex will set you back a pretty penny...
Seems your setup for right now!
You running any Carbon yet? It will make your water look very clear!
Also any GFO? Or phosphate remover?

Where do you live at? Maybe I can help if you live close.

Galail52 · Feb 10, 2020

Having an RODI unit at home instead of going to the store for water is a must IMO. As is an ATO. I have a JBJ ATO and it works great, especially for the price.

bsr2430 · Feb 10, 2020

skimjim said:
I would say a tank... bc no one like wet fish flopping on the floor

Don’t forgot to add a screen for that tank... they’ll still flop out.hahaha

Csteele · Feb 10, 2020

Cruzsam00000 said:
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

Not sure what size your tank is but I have a 10g Nano and this works perfect. And very cheap. Just need to buy a Smart Water bottle to fit it!

WuyouChy Auto Top Off Water Filler Aquarium Mini ATO System Fish Tortoise Tank Water Level Controller No Wiring Float Valve

Exotic_Reefer0 · Feb 10, 2020

Csteele said:
Not sure what size your tank is but I have a 10g Nano and this works perfect. And very cheap. Just need to buy a Smart Water bottle to fit it!

WuyouChy Auto Top Off Water Filler Aquarium Mini ATO System Fish Tortoise Tank Water Level Controller No Wiring Float Valve

I was actually considering giving this one a try until I was ready to get an electric topoff! How often do you have to fill it for your 10g?

Exotic_Reefer0 · Feb 10, 2020

bsr2430 said:
36G bowfront!!! That was my first tank! Remember one thing! Don’t cut the plastic piece at the top of the tank, the one in the middle where it connects to both sides... trust me, DON’T CUT IT!hahaha let’s just say I was very young then... had to end up giving it away for free.

Apex will set you back a pretty penny...
Seems your setup for right now!
You running any Carbon yet? It will make your water look very clear!
Also any GFO? Or phosphate remover?

Where do you live at? Maybe I can help if you live close.

Mine actually doesnt have the plastic bar haha. And its rimless! But I have a cover on it I'm not running carbon but I do have it on my freshwater tank! I dont have the phosphate remover or gfo haha. And I'm in Pennsylvania!

Csteele · Feb 10, 2020

Cruzsam00000 said:
I was actually considering giving this one a try until I was ready to get an electric topoff! How often do you have to fill it for your 10g?

I usually fill the top off roughly every 3-4 days. It’s a 1.5 liter water bottle

Exotic_Reefer0 · Feb 10, 2020

Csteele said:
I usually fill the top off roughly every 3-4 days. It’s a 1.5 liter water bottle

Does it fit any regular water bottle or larger bottles?

Leslie Tabor · Feb 10, 2020

My Tunze ATO and a cheap pump with the python tubing for water changes! Not lifting 5 gal buckets=priceless!

Csteele · Feb 10, 2020

Cruzsam00000 said:
Does it fit any regular water bottle or larger bottles?

I know Avian and Smart Water bottles fit. Not sure of any others. Avian is the biggest I found at 1.5 liters. But it can fit up to a 2 liter water bottle if you can find one that fits.

bsr2430 · Feb 11, 2020

Csteele said:
I usually fill the top off roughly every 3-4 days. It’s a 1.5 liter water bottle

At least when you need a drink, you don’t need to go far!

Cruzsam00000 said:
Mine actually doesnt have the plastic bar haha. And its rimless! But I have a cover on it I'm not running carbon but I do have it on my freshwater tank! I dont have the phosphate remover or gfo haha. And I'm in Pennsylvania!

Dang, I’m down here in Virginia! I was going to pass a few things along if you didn’t have them for free and try and help with this build!

Greg Goby · Feb 11, 2020

I just wanted to second the awesome WuyouChy Auto top off. I've had one for my 8 gallon sump for about six months now and it is flawless. You could buy as many as you need and just get extra or larger bottles to accommodate more RO water on backup.

I see alot of discussions on the best ATO systems and even though I don't have any experience with the fancy ones I do know that typically simpler is better and this thing hits that on the nose! Two pieces of airline tubing and an Evian water bottle and you're good to go!

Exotic_Reefer0 · Feb 11, 2020

Greg Goby said:
I just wanted to second the awesome WuyouChy Auto top off. I've had one for my 8 gallon sump for about six months now and it is flawless. You could buy as many as you need and just get extra or larger bottles to accommodate more RO water on backup.

I see alot of discussions on the best ATO systems and even though I don't have any experience with the fancy ones I do know that typically simpler is better and this thing hits that on the nose! Two pieces of airline tubing and an Evian water bottle and you're good to go!

Thanks for the response! I've been researching hard for a good ato, and literally every single one has reviews talking about malfunctioning or overfilling. Its stressful putting you money into something that literally every single one has similar reviews. Simpler may be better lol. I'll find out eventually though

Exotic_Reefer0 · Feb 11, 2020

bsr2430 said:
At least when you need a drink, you don’t need to go far!
Dang, I’m down here in Virginia! I was going to pass a few things along if you didn’t have them for free and try and help with this build!

Ahhhhhh that would have been awesome! I'll have to keep you updated on how everything goes

Csteele · Feb 11, 2020

Cruzsam00000 said:
Ahhhhhh that would have been awesome! I'll have to keep you updated on how everything goes

I’m from PA!

Exotic_Reefer0 · Feb 11, 2020

Csteele said:
I’m from PA!

Haha nice! Do you have a spot where you buy your corals from or is it online?

Layll318 · Feb 11, 2020

bsr2430 said:
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.

Arthacker87 · Feb 11, 2020

MTBake said:
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.

"My stick is better than bacon"- Yoda