Single Best Piece of Equipment?

[ThatTennesseeBeardedGuy]

As a relatively young reefer what is y'alls favorite or best piece of equipment to purchase for the reef tank? My own personal question is, is something like the apex controller actually worth it?

 

[Hemmdog]

Apex, no. Investing in good lights and wavemakers, yes.

 

[Raptor777]

Tunze macro algae reactor. My tank is clean and grows macro algae like crazy
I agree no to Apex

 

[BiGGiePauls33]

Apex, no. Investing in good lights and wavemakers, yes.

Definitely lights and flow, like @Hemmdog mentioned above.

 

[Greybeard]

Hm. I like my apex. Coupled with the Trident, and DOS pumps, it's a real time saver.

Single best? Nope. Still, I'm happy with it.

The one bit of reefing gear I'll never be without again? Hanna Phosphate ULR.

 

[ThatTennesseeBeardedGuy]

Tunze macro algae reactor. My tank is clean and grows macro algae like crazy
I agree no to Apex

Would you say that a Chaeto reactor works better than a refugium with Chaeto?

 

[Jon Fishman]

As a relatively young reefer what is y'alls favorite or best piece of equipment to purchase for the reef tank? My own personal question is, is something like the apex controller actually worth it?

UV

Edit. Maybe my Avast Ozone reactor. That thing is dem teddies.....

 

[Peace River]

Lights, flow, and filtration.

 

[ThatTennesseeBeardedGuy]

Definitely lights and flow, like @Hemmdog mentioned above.

So far I am loving these Metal Halide/T5 combo, how much flow do you recommend?

 

[Terri Caton]

Duh to lights.
Flow is important depending on what coral you want to grow, if any.

Apex...meh

My new favorite is my Red Sea skimmer. Works SOOOOO well.

 

[S2G]

Depends on the tank size really. Rodi system is no.1 though.

 

[Raptor777]

Would you say that a Chaeto reactor works better than a refugium with Chaeto?

IMO yes growing bright green fluffy cheato loaded with pods and my tank knock on wood is very clean

 

[flyline]

I would have to say a good skimmer.... Terri I just bought a Red Sea skimmer can wait to start using it.. I saw one being used at a lfs and that thing looked great

 

[X-37B]

My tunze 9410 dc skimmer. A true set and forget skimmer.

 

[mfinn]

Probably one of the more overlooked pieces of equipment IMO is a good ATO.
Having a good ATO and a easy to fill reservoir is priceless.

 

[ThatTennesseeBeardedGuy]

IMO yes growing bright green fluffy cheato loaded with pods and my tank knock on wood is very clean

Okay, thanks I was already thinking of trying that, but now I may just go ahead and do it.

 

[45ZoaGarden]

No to apex? Pft some people just don’t know because they don’t HAVE or cannot afford. The apex makes life soooo much easier, especially when I’m away. The trident testing water etc everything is monitored. If there’s a problem, I just call my buddy or the lfs our to check on it. Granted, that wasn’t my favorite thing to buy. Probably enjoyed getting the tank and stand more because opening that crate made me feel like a kid on Christmas morning.

 

[45ZoaGarden]

And most important pieces of equipment are light, skimmer, and dosers. Don’t skimp in that area. And meh. The tunze mar isn’t worth it imo. Get a good fuge light and your cheato will grow just as well. I have the prime fuge and it grows better then my MAR. The PAX Bellum is a different story though. And 4x the price

 

[Raptor777]

No to apex? Pft some people just don’t know because they don’t HAVE or cannot afford. The apex makes life soooo much easier, especially when I’m away. The trident testing water etc everything is monitored. If there’s a problem, I just call my buddy or the lfs our to check on it. Granted, that wasn’t my favorite thing to buy. Probably enjoyed getting the tank and stand more because opening that crate made me feel like a kid on Christmas morning.

Not true at all, I have owned an Apex and wasn't all impressed and there is equipment way more important IMO

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

So I would do it more as a priority ranking

1- filtration ie: sump/skimmer (I like the Eshopps S series skimmers and the Nyos skimmers)
2 - lighting (Hydras or Radions)
3 - power heads (I'm a Gyre fan)
4 - controller (Apex) I disagree the Apex's aren't worth it, as I find mine makes it easier for me to be successful with my reef - note that it makes it easier but it doesn't do it for you. However, it doesn't matter if you have an Apex if it's controlling stuff that doesn't work