When starting a new build what is the must have?

[cdness]

After the tank, you need water... With that said the most important is an RODI unit. You cannot put your trust in others to provide you with good water. If you do this, get a handheld TDS meter and see what their water is at...

Nest look into your plan. What method of nutrient export are you wanting to go with? Skimmer, large fuge, turf scrubber, etc...

 

[StikHedRon]

Besides the basics that everyone has listed. I would highly invest in a water change station. This would be very critical in a new build I was doing. Everyone knows that you need lights, skimmer, ATO, controller, power heads, heater, media reactors, test kits, etc. etc. etc.

 

[sqcube4me]

money so you can buy everything you need .. n make a note to yourself .. never ever start a build right before x mas . seems like it takes forever to get done ..

rodi unit would be top of the list

 

[FlyinBryan]

When I fire up a new tank I like to use live rock rubble from an established tank (my own or someone else's) especially water. For my 90 I dumped my water change from my well established 150g right into it to start the cycle and getting up and running. Even a few pieces of LR. Also, sump with a really deep DSB!!

I personally wouldn't get a tank controller out of the gate for a new tank especially a new reef guy (if/when it tests everything I.e. Mg, Ca, dkh, phos, nitrates etc then I'll spend the $$$). Just IMHO!!

 

[trido]

A lot of good advice on here.

Skimmer - Get a skimmer that can handle double your water volume. It will save you money down the road when you want to increase your water volume or add a frag tank to your system. Paying more than I needed to 4 years ago saved me about $500 now since I don't need to upgrade my whole skimmer. (just a new pump and taller collection cup).

Lighting - Get more than you need. You might think now "I won't ever keep SPS, they aren't that great" then Boom! You now love SPS but your light sucks. (didn't happen to me, but it did to a friend who didn't take my advice.) LED is the future and I would have went LED if it wasn't rediulously priced when I built my tank.

Sump - Baffles are over rated and limit you when you want to change your stupid sump design. If you invest in a good skimmer like everyone advises, then you wont have a micro bubble issue. Of course, the bigger the better with the sump.

Heathers - Get 3x small heaters as opposed to one large heater. That way, if one takes a dump, it won't destroy your tank. I use the Ehiem Jiagers with no problems.

Note: If you can afford it. Get an apex. They rock.

I think this post says about most of it.

In an earlier post someone wrote a chiller as a must. I live in Seattle and a chiller is far from a must, especially with LED's

 

[mrcoffee2]

I am only 4 months into reefing. The thing I wish I invested more in was the hydrometer.

Also I think cable management plays a huge factor.

 

[Reeferdude1888]

Decide what type of reef your going to have I.e sps ,lps ,soft or a mixture of both and also what fish would go with your reef and size of your system I.e just a display tank or dt with sump once you decide this then you can decide what equipment you may or may not need and last of all but the most important "Patience" good luck with your reef .