Your top 5 "must have" products
- Thread starter GregJames
- Start date
..... After being in the hobby for a very long time I'd not be without a good refractometer, a QT setup for fish, RODI system, a spare heater, and an ATO.
ZeeSparrow
New member
RODI
Refractometer
ATO
Test kits
QT
Refractometer
ATO
Test kits
QT
It's really hard to limit to just 5 things for a reef tank, and since we are talking saltwater here I'd assume a refractometer is a given, but I'd say a good light, definitely a couple QT tanks with spare filters, heaters, etc. Water test kits, RODI, and I always use vitamin supplements when feeding my fish. A good, varied diet is key to happy, healthy fish in my opinion and I'm a supporter of seachem, absolutely love their products. So whenever I feed I add a capful of vitality and a capful of garlic guard and let the food soak for 5 minutes. Also when I feed it's a combination of seachem flakes, brine, and small bits of seaweed. Occasionally I'll add a few pieces of krill, and I alternate between brine and mysis. I also put 2 strip of seaweed attached to a clip in my tank every other day. If you're looking for 5 pieces of equipment not to go without I'd say protein skimmer, ato, circulation pumps, light, rodi.
To recap:
Good HO light
RODI
Test kits
QT system
Food Supplements
To recap:
Good HO light
RODI
Test kits
QT system
Food Supplements
Your top 5 "must have" products
Awesome.
So far the only thing I'm lacking is the RODI. I live in a townhouse so having a "fish room" or area to accumulate water isn't practical. I've seen one on bulk reef supply that you can hook up to a sink and store away when not in use, so I may try that.
Currently I visit our LFS twice a week for water, but I always end up buy extra stuff once I walk in.. [emoji849]
Awesome.
So far the only thing I'm lacking is the RODI. I live in a townhouse so having a "fish room" or area to accumulate water isn't practical. I've seen one on bulk reef supply that you can hook up to a sink and store away when not in use, so I may try that.
Currently I visit our LFS twice a week for water, but I always end up buy extra stuff once I walk in.. [emoji849]
Psychomantix
New member
5 must have products for a "reef tank" are:
1. tank
2. water
3. salt
4. light
5. coral
1. tank
2. water
3. salt
4. light
5. coral
kmbyrnes
New member
That RO/DI will pay for itself pretty quickly then.
If you are hitting the LFS twice a week, you need to get your own.
It is the single best time, money, and back saving item you can get for your tank.
Even without a fish room you may be able to install it under a bathroom sink. A 4 stage unit is pretty compact and only takes about an hour to plumb and mount.
username in use
Sciencing Daily
Almost everything is variable in what will work. The only truly hard and fast "Must Have's" are:
1: Patience
2: Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
3: Ability to mentally overcome devastating setbacks
4: An appreciation for the natural characteristics of the creatures you are keeping and a desire to provide them with the optimal (not minimal) environment.
5: Patience
1: Patience
2: Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
3: Ability to mentally overcome devastating setbacks
4: An appreciation for the natural characteristics of the creatures you are keeping and a desire to provide them with the optimal (not minimal) environment.
5: Patience
This guy gets it....
JammyBirch
Aquaria Engineering
Totally agree although none of these are products...
My list:
1. RODI
2. Refractometer
3. Quality Return Pump
4. Quality Light
5. Hanna ALK checker
H2OCulture
New member
Hey Greg!
I'm a townhouse reefer as well, and trust me, an RODI setup is worth it. Most people don't realize this, but they plug into a washing machine water outlet just fine. Get a hose faucet adapter that allows you to plug in two hoses, a cheap mechanical sprinkler timer, and you've got a rocking RODI hookup for $10 in parts. Sure as hell beats drilling the sink.
I'm a townhouse reefer as well, and trust me, an RODI setup is worth it. Most people don't realize this, but they plug into a washing machine water outlet just fine. Get a hose faucet adapter that allows you to plug in two hoses, a cheap mechanical sprinkler timer, and you've got a rocking RODI hookup for $10 in parts. Sure as hell beats drilling the sink.
JohnnyHildo
Member
couldn't agree more.
after 30 years of being able to use tap water with freshwater fish it seemed like a no brainer to install my own water filtration system. the unit itself, some flexline, a splitter a valve and one hour are all you need.
i live in a condo myself so i know very well how space is a valuable thing but consider that you have to store those pails of water you get from the lfs anyway.
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