Recommended Supplies

[droidus]

I have a Coralife led biocube 32G. I am using the default "dual-action filter" that comes with it. Besides a red sea marine test kit, thermometer, and 2 heaters, what would you recommend? I would like to have two clown fish, a cleaner shrimp, and some coral. I was looking at this: http://kb.marinedepot.com/article.aspx?id=11015 and what overwhelmed with the amount of testing device I will need to buy. Are they all required? I would prefer digital kits, where best suited as I am color blind. :)
I am also looking at purchasing the following:

• https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073713G5F/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A25CMFQWS6RFG5&psc=1 (HoneForest Water Quality Tester, Accurate and Reliable, TDS Meter, EC Meter & Temperature Meter 3 in 1, 0-9990ppm, Ideal Water Test Meter for Drinking Water, Aquariums, etc.)
  
• https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AZ1SMC2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=AJVNN18KC6GJH&psc=1 (Professional Automatic Temperature Compensation Salinity Refractometer for Aquariums, Marine Monitoring, Saltwater Testing...Dual Sacle: 0-100ppt & 1.000-1.070 Specific Gravity)
  
• https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DOG63OY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1 (Aquatic Life RO Buddie Reverse Osmosis Systems)
  
• https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B50UPE0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3RL0O5SVLKWDZ&psc=1 (inTank Aquarium and Pond Value Pack - Bonded Blue & White Poly Filter Floss Pads 600-square-inches)

And not sure with salt, which is the better option:
https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Ocea...31523&sr=1-1&keywords=Ocean+reef+crystal+salt or https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Ocea...31523&sr=1-2&keywords=Ocean+reef+crystal+salt.

Some other considerations?:

• 1-2 power heads
• Base rock
• Reef rock, to get my tank going
• Quarantine tank (5 gallon bucket, sponge filter, heater, and hiding places)
• Protein skimmer

Any help is much appreciated! :)

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

Welcome to R2R @droidus :)

What you test varies by hobbyist. Some test nothing more than salinity and temperature. Others test what is sometimes called the big three (magnesium, calcium and carbonate alkalinity). Others test more, like mentioned in the Marine Depot article.

There are a few basics you should definitely have. You need a quality salinity monitor, as well as a reliable thermometer. I would also have an ammonia, nitrite and nitrate test kit on hand for the cycle. I skipped the nitrite test kit, but I've been doing this for over a decade, so I didn't need to measure nitrite to know when the cycle was complete. You should have calcium, magnesium and alkalinity tests, but those are not critical until the tank gets up and running and you get some corals. Though they may not be critical, they are likely always useful, so if you can afford to get them up front, I would. It's not the end of the world if you don't though.

In terms of salt mix, I use plain Instant Ocean. If you are choosing between Reef Crystals and Instant Ocean, I would go Instant Ocean. Plain IO has relatively high levels of minerals as it is (1,400ppm+ magnesium, 10+ dKh alkalinity and 425ppm+ calcium). Additionally, Reef Crystals has additional organic compounds that are purported to be beneficial, but can foul the water over time if you pre-mix it too far in advance.

In terms of equipment, it's far to difficult to objectively say what a tank needs. There are many different ways to skin that particular cat. Your list looks good so far though. Definitely do some reading and let us know if you have any specific questions about any pieces of equipment :)

 

[Dilan Patel]

Hey man I don't know much about this tank but if you want to keep a reef tank here are some considerations.

Testing:
Salinity(refractometer)
Nitrate,Ammonia,Nitrite,P.H.(I like Salifert but red sea is good too)
Calcium,Alk:(hannah checker which is digital)
Magnesium(salifert easy to see color change)

Powerhead: Most important part besides chemistry is water movement: If you want to splurge go for a powerhead which is adjustable so once your corals grow you can up the flow ;) dont cheap out very important piece)

Rock: I have set up both a tank with dry rock and one with liverock. For me I liked the benefits of dry rock due to the no pests but each rock should be cycled to remove any organics/bad things in the rock. better to have more than enough than not enough. Dry rock I used Bio spira and it worked/ use some pods as well but later on.

Quarentine tank: I would go to petco and pick up a tank from a $ per gallon sale. I just bought a 20L to replace my 10G and glad I did so much more room. Get a heater and PVCfor hiding, and some sort iof filtration

Protein skimmer: I don't know how big you can fit but Tunze makes a small one, and I saw a glass one with an air bubble stone on the bottom which seemed to work good. Go to MileHighReefer on youtube he did a review of it for his tank :)

I use Instant Ocean regular due to it being cheap and havent changed for over 13 years :)

I think I covered most things if any questions arrise Dm or post some more. :) congrats on the new tank!

 

[chefjpaul]

The most vital piece of equipment IMO is a grear RODI.

Look ar BRS or Spectrapure brands.

 

[Scurvy]

Welcome! A couple of things I would recommend to think about. Consider your long term goals when thinking about purchases. It can help you avoid buying things two and three times as you progress in the hobby.

Choose a salt you can find locally so when the inevitable emergency comes up and you’re out you can get some quickly without waiting on a shipment.

The QT bucket will work short term but you’ll be better off with a small tank you can visually see into to observe the fish.

RODI water will save you headaches. I think the kit you posted was RO only. Look for an RODI that has a built in TDS meter.

Take your time sourcing/piecing things together. If it takes a few extra months to get everything you want/need thats okay. Its easier/cheaper long term to do it right the first time rather than rushing with things you may not really want and will inevitably upgrade (buying things twice).

Look for a local club to join. Its a great way to meet other reefers, find good deals on used equipment and corals.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Welcome to R2R @droidus!

We have the 32 Biocube as well. I ended up ditching the stock filters and use a poly-filter, it fits nicley without having to trim it. The stock filters seem to plug up to fast for me. Also using chemi-pure elite in the second chamber with some chaeto. For flow I put in the Icecap 1k, been using it for a couple of months now and like it so far.

 

[droidus]

I'm amazed by the helpfulness and the quick response on this forum! ^_^

For attaching a RODI system to my faucet, I was not able to locate a thread. Is there any way to get this to work?

 

[droidus]

Look for an RODI that has a built in TDS meter.

Would you be able to recommend one?

 

[Dilan Patel]

Brs has a good RODI filter. What I did was plumb mine underneath my sink

 

[Scurvy]

Most RODI kits will come with the needed adapters to connect to your faucet. You’ll unscrew the existing aerator and add a new one.

Loads of options out there for RODI but Bulk Reefs kits are great.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/4-stage-value-plus-ro-di-system-bulk-reef-supply.html

You could also choose any system or add the DI canisters to the RO you’ve already found and add your own in line tds meter like one of these.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/dual-inline-tds-meter-dm-1-hm-digital.html

 

[droidus]

Is a 4-stage RODI system enough for a 32 gallon tank, if I do water changes weekly/biweekly? Also, how many GPD's should I be looking for?

EDIT: Do I need to test my water to find out how many stages I need? Or is it safe to go with the 4 stage models?

 

[hdsoftail1065]

I just picked up the BRS 75 4 stage gpd which should be fine for weekly changes for your unit.

 

[Scurvy]

4 stage should be fine unless you know you have bad water or heavy metals wherever you are. With a 75 gpd unit I make 5 gallons in 48-50 minutes. Production will depend on the water pressure through the filter. If you haven’t found the BRS TV series yet here’s a video about water. I’d highly recommend pretty much everything they post and start with the 52 weeks of reefing series. There’s loads of great info in them. I’m sure there’s others relating to water too.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vide...r-psi-for-reverse-osmosis-system-performance/