things you bought that were useless

[chrisstie]

Jebo skimmer and lights. As soon as I saw the "omfg my house blew up because of these lights" thread.. out they went.

Thank you reefgeek and teklights, your quality lights are absolutely a+ and wonderful.. and I won't feel paranoid when I leave my house with the tank lights on <3

 

[TOURKID]

oh yeah the power sweep is a good one. clogged up
hydrometer
sand vacumme
pc lights
purple up
iodine
iodine test kit
any gel binder food


cant live without:
turkey baster

 

[seas_inside]

HYDROMETER

 

[corivus]

I think the one biggest thing everyone has said is the hydrometer, I think mine so far has been the wood to build my first canopy (it was from hd and all warped)

 

[jerry11901]

Guys, what is wrong with your swing arm hydrometers? I have one, and it works fine.

 

[sarduci]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8506825#post8506825 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jerry11901
Guys, what is wrong with your swing arm hydrometers? I have one, and it works fine.

Test and dry your swing arm 20 times. I'll be you'll come up with a huge variance in what you get.

Test your SG with a refractometer 20 times, I'll bet you'll be the same 95+% of the time.

 

[nhlives]

Newbie question - Hydrometer?

Newbie question - Hydrometer?

I found this curious - no hydrometer. Can someone explain why you don't need one.

 

[tuckrule]

Only thing I can think of is you eventually get to a point where you know what you're salinity is. For instance I have marked off in my sump minimum and maximum levels I want my water at. I know my salinity will always be in a certain range if I stay between those lines. When I do water changes, I measure the salt which happens to be 3 cups. So my salinity is always the same. (supposedly) I still measure on occasion, but I know many that don't.

 

[nhlives]

refractometers

refractometers

Thanks for the reply - Are people generally using refractometers or is it a general rule that SG testing is needed infrequently. Sounds unlikely to me but I AM a newbie.

 

[TOURKID]

yes most people use refractometers. even 1 single air bubble can set a hydrometer bonkers. sg needs to be tested frequently for sure!!! but it gets to a point that you get used to where your water level needs to be in the tank. and how much salt to put in a 5 gallon bucket. but skimmers take out salt and testing, so its best to test frequently

 

[tuckrule]

I believe most people use refractometers. Take a poll and find out. It might be a budget thing as well. Refractometers sometimes can run on the pricier side.

 

[CoralFiend]

1st SCWD and then 2nd SCWD...

 

[ACBlinky]

- PC light fixtures
- Bio media
- Canister filters (from FW tanks, so they were useful for a while)
- Prizm skimmer
- Non RR tank
- Glass top
- Swingarm hydrometer
- The entire line of Kent additives (phyto, iodine, CoralVite, Sr & Mb, etc.), none of which I use any more

 

[demonsp]

Everything LFS added on to my 75 gal. Bio filter, heater, hydrometer, and thermostat. replaced them all. Of course before i know of this place.