TOP 10 Inventions for Modern Reef Keeping?

revhtree · Sep 20, 2012

Let's make a nice list out of the TOP 10 Inventions for Modern Reef Keeping!

Let us know what you think has to be in the top 10 list!

So what say ye?

mrs sexycorals · Sep 20, 2012

The easy blade is one of my favorite. =)

revhtree · Sep 20, 2012

I have to say the Auto Top Off!

Reefing8EZ · Sep 20, 2012

revhtree said:
I have to say the Auto Top Off!

+1, a must have..

AZDesertRat · Sep 20, 2012

1. RO/DI
2. Propeller type powerheads
3. ATO systems
4. high intensity lighting of all forms but especially LED
5. synthetic sea salt mixes

All these things have made our reef systems more reliable, healthier and easier to manage.

gcarroll · Sep 20, 2012

Calcium Reactor
Protein Skimmer
Kalk Reactor
Balanced 2-part additives
refugiums

WesF · Sep 20, 2012

Protein Skimmer
ATO
Automation/Controllers
Controllable Propeller powerheads.

Craig Borowski · Sep 20, 2012

Wow, cool question. I love the history behind aquariums in general. It's amazing how far reef aquariums have progressed in just a few decades. Heck back in the '80s it was still common for a reef tank to have mainly coral skeletons which were removed and bleached periodically to keep that pristine white look.

1. Protein skimmers
2. The use of Live Rock
3. Propeller-based circulation devices
4. ATOs
5. High powered lighting (be it MH, T5/T8 or LED)
6. Calcium reactors
7. Affordable RODI units for home use
8. Carbon/bacteria dosing methods
9. Specialty foods for hard-to-keep corals (oyster eggs etc.)
10. Artificial salt mixes

Decalf · Sep 20, 2012

1. The wet/dry filter
2. The Protein Skimmer
3. The Heater

chort55 · Sep 20, 2012

Surprised vodka and beer arent on the list yet lol vodka for the fish, and beer for the friends with frags in hand when they come over lol

Coraloliseffect · Sep 20, 2012

Discovery of natural Eco systems. Live rock and pods. Out w the under gravel.

Dowtish · Sep 20, 2012

Skimmer
ATO
Built in digital timers for lights
RODI
Dosing pumps
Calcium Reactors
Heaters
Ecotech Pumps
EcoBak polymer Bio-Pellets
Fluidized Reactors

Pkunk35 · Sep 20, 2012

Absolutely protein skimmer.

cdness · Sep 20, 2012

Well since the question revolved around modern I would say I'll focus on the newer inventions that are currently affecting the modernization of the hobby:

1. LED Lighting is reef capable spectrum
2. DC pumps which are now used in everything from propeller pumps to skimmer pumps
3. Controllers and controller features - dimming for LEDs, wireless pump control, wireless notification, web access for equipment control
4. Specific breeding setups to further advance the captive breeding of reef fish, this includes the development of new foods to feed the babies as they mature

Poseidon · Sep 20, 2012

Skimmer
Circulation Pumps
FOOD! Fish food was severely limited in the 80's and 90's, flakes were about it. (Frozen Brine)
Kalk/Ca Additives
LIGHTING- From Sodium Vapor to Metal Halide to all forms of Fluorescent, to todays LEDs.
OUT with the undergravel filters...

returnofsid · Sep 20, 2012

Silicone!

NanaReefer · Sep 20, 2012

Hello!!! Test Kits!

SPSjunky · Sep 20, 2012

I know it says modern but all i keep thinking of is synthetic sea salt......

kmaintl · Sep 20, 2012

1. Protein skimmers, so glad we moved away from wooden air stones and undergravel filters to...
today's specialized impeller pumps and acrylic cylinders & cones
2. Lighting, so glad we moved away from incandescent/T12/power compact fluorescent/T8 to MH/T5/LED
3. Quality synthetic sea salt mixes with complete trace elements, minerals & buffers
4. Quality Foods, flakes, pellets and frozen
5. Sand, so glad we got away from dolomite, silica, & crush coral to aragonite
6. Timers, so glad we got away from the mechanical on/off timers to the aquacontrollers
7. ATO
8. Wavemaker powerheads
9. Dosing pumps
10. Denitrators, both sulphur reachtors and carbon/bacteria reactors