its the small things i need

[greg0385]

as some of you know i am working on a 150 setup. i have most of the bigger things, sump,skimmer,powerheads. its the small things i don't know what i need, heater, testkits, additives and etc. i need help from you all to make a list of the stuff i need to buy at the BRS group buy, or things i can look for on the forsale forum. any help would be great
thanks
greg

 

[pelagic7]

I have some baisc stuff for free or very cheap. Including some test kits and additives. Let me know if you want to take these from me.

 

[zef004]

From BRS I would order the 2part kit. If you want to save some $$$. I got extra jugs you can have. Now test kits there's alote out there to pick. Lamotte for no3, API for cal and kh. Also use hagen for cal to. For po4 I use Milwaukee meter. For heater I use 500w for 200gal can't remember the name. Starts with an F. Got to go plain about to take off.

 

[NeveSSL]

Refractometer is probably one of the most important "small" pieces of equipment you could get. RO/DI is up there, too, if you don't already have one.

Brandon

 

[greg0385]

well i got a RO/DI but i just order a TDS meter to see if i need to do a filter change. as far as the refractometer, i have the I/O hydrometer with the swing arm. i know i prob need to upgrade. what about carbon reactor? filter sock? what size/how many jager heaters?

 

[commonstranger]

I like the Salifert test kits for Ca and Alk. Go ahead and get a refractometer. The Hydrometer can cost you alot of money if it messes up trust me I learned the hard way. Filter socks will polish the water off nicely but change them out about once every week to week and a half. The BRS carbon reactor are nice but use the single chamber with a Maxi Jet 1200 if you use it on the dual your flow will really be cut down.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Ebo-Jager heaters are good in the 300W size and a Refractometer is a must as the Swing arm is very risky as they tend to be way off at times. Filter socks come in 4" and 7" sizes and in different lengths up to like 14" long. A good carbon reactor is the Duel BRS so you can run carbon/GFO if and when needed. Oh and 1 300 watter should be OK or 2 x 250W one in the tank and one in the sump. JMO
Bill

 

[poolkeeper1]

Filter Socks

Filter Socks

I like the Salifert test kits for Ca and Alk. Go ahead and get a refractometer. The Hydrometer can cost you alot of money if it messes up trust me I learned the hard way. Filter socks will polish the water off nicely but change them out about once every week to week and a half. The BRS carbon reactor are nice but use the single chamber with a Maxi Jet 1200 if you use it on the dual your flow will really be cut down.

I change my Socks out every 2-3 day's if left for a week and a half you are defeating the purpose of removing the dead matter before it turns to Nitrate and Phosphate and effects the water quality. You would be better off not using any and let your skimmer take out the un eaten food quickly as then to let it rot in a filter sock for 10 day's JMO
Bill

 

[Pickupman66]

I agree. get the refractometer. well worth the money. as for test kits. I DONT like the API ALK test kit. very hard to read the color shifts. the Saliftert is way better.

that said, I learned a lesson this year. test kits can have a large variance! my next test kit will be a Hanna meter for Alkalinity and Phosphate. for $50 each, and knowing i am getting an exact measurement.

 

[GT_Jacket]

+1 on the refractometer and Ebo-Jager heaters.

I would go with 2 heaters - mainly for the redundancy factor.

Hanna Checker for Alk / PO4. I like Elos for CA.

Salifert is usually fine for NO3, MG, etc.

I prefer to place my carbon in a media bag on a egg-crate shelf between one of my sumps bubble traps. Takes no space, does not need a pump, easy to clean/refresh, etc. I just flip the bag over each day.

I do run socks and change them ~5 days. I just started trying 25micron from 100micron and like them thus far. They clog after 2-3days so you are forced to change them. I prefer the felt type over the mesh type. Mesh is much easier to clean but only seems to catch the larger particles.

Brett

 

[greg0385]

okay so far i know i need a refract, and im going to need more then one heater, one for my tank/sump and one for the ATO, and one for the making new S/W. thinking bout the 300w for the tank and medium for the new S/W and then a smaller one for the ATO 20gallon portion of the sump. i like the idea of the test kits that you place in your sump with the suction cup and it reads for i think 3months? but i would also need one for manual testing inside/outside of the DT. going to need some salt, i have half of bucket of I/O but i think i want to go with the reef crystals. im thinking about the filter sock going felt but haven't decided what micron to go with yet. as far as the reactor i thinking about the dual and im sure i can build some type of manifold to power it with my main pump.

also going to need a cup of live sand or live rock from a good tank once i get everything finish in a month or so. still debating making the plunge in the leds or go Metal Halides or T-5's.
thanks for all the info and help so far
greg