JuJuMan16
Member
I thought it would be useful for others if I listed some things that are not necessarily made for reef keeping, yet I use in the hobby and consider essential. The items can be easily picked up on a trip to the grocery store, Walmart, etc. Please note that this is solely based on my experience and you should research my list before doing what I do…
1. Vinegar
This is without a doubt one of the must haves at my house at all times. I dose vinegar daily on my tanks as a source of organic carbon with a doser. It helps me control phosphates and nitrates to my desired levels, I have seen significant changes in coral growth and overall tank health.
I add kalkwasser to the RO water in my ATO reservoir. Before I add the kalk to the water, I mix the kalk with vinegar. There are several benefits to this, also look them up, they are listed in an article by Randy.
Vinegar can also be used to clean equipment. Just be careful with leaving rubber gaskets and O-rings soaking in vinegar for long periods of time.
I always have a use for the vinegar containers once it runs out. You can use them for mixing chemicals, dosing containers, etc.
2. Baking soda
Baking soda can be used to raise alkalinity. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/ Use that along with the reef chemistry calculator.
You can use baking soda as a super glue accelerator, or to give your super glue more volume and consistency. I use a mix of super glue and baking soda on certain frags. I use it to fill gaps, to add volume to the glue for it to hold better, etc.
3. Super glue, both gel and liquid.
Gel can be used to fix frags to rocks, applied outside and quickly set to rock underwater. I prefer this over the putty that makes the skimmer go nuts. Used for frags, repairs, etc. Applications are endless. I prefer multiple small tubes from the dollar store versus large bottles that dry up and become useless. Wasting a great amount.
4. Safety razors
I shave with safety razors. After 1 or two uses instead of throwing them out, I tested them in the aquarium and they do not rust. They will eventually, but they go start losing their edge or get replaced by one I shaved with before they show signs of rust. Granted, the razors designed for scrapers that you buy at the hardware store are pretty cheap, less likely to cut you and easier to handle, but rust instantly. The benefit of safety razors is that you get multiple uses out of them before they show any signs of rust. If you only need to cut something soft, or simple scraping, safety razors will last you a while. For me it’s a no brainer since they are going to get thrown away regardless, and cost me pennies per blade.
This was just a quick write up. If I can think of more items I will add them later. Do you have your own list of things that are not necessarily made for reef keeping, yet you use very often and makes your life easier? Interested on your thoughts.
1. Vinegar
This is without a doubt one of the must haves at my house at all times. I dose vinegar daily on my tanks as a source of organic carbon with a doser. It helps me control phosphates and nitrates to my desired levels, I have seen significant changes in coral growth and overall tank health.
I add kalkwasser to the RO water in my ATO reservoir. Before I add the kalk to the water, I mix the kalk with vinegar. There are several benefits to this, also look them up, they are listed in an article by Randy.
Vinegar can also be used to clean equipment. Just be careful with leaving rubber gaskets and O-rings soaking in vinegar for long periods of time.
I always have a use for the vinegar containers once it runs out. You can use them for mixing chemicals, dosing containers, etc.
2. Baking soda
Baking soda can be used to raise alkalinity. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/ Use that along with the reef chemistry calculator.
You can use baking soda as a super glue accelerator, or to give your super glue more volume and consistency. I use a mix of super glue and baking soda on certain frags. I use it to fill gaps, to add volume to the glue for it to hold better, etc.
3. Super glue, both gel and liquid.
Gel can be used to fix frags to rocks, applied outside and quickly set to rock underwater. I prefer this over the putty that makes the skimmer go nuts. Used for frags, repairs, etc. Applications are endless. I prefer multiple small tubes from the dollar store versus large bottles that dry up and become useless. Wasting a great amount.
4. Safety razors
I shave with safety razors. After 1 or two uses instead of throwing them out, I tested them in the aquarium and they do not rust. They will eventually, but they go start losing their edge or get replaced by one I shaved with before they show signs of rust. Granted, the razors designed for scrapers that you buy at the hardware store are pretty cheap, less likely to cut you and easier to handle, but rust instantly. The benefit of safety razors is that you get multiple uses out of them before they show any signs of rust. If you only need to cut something soft, or simple scraping, safety razors will last you a while. For me it’s a no brainer since they are going to get thrown away regardless, and cost me pennies per blade.
This was just a quick write up. If I can think of more items I will add them later. Do you have your own list of things that are not necessarily made for reef keeping, yet you use very often and makes your life easier? Interested on your thoughts.
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