What is the most unexpected piece of equipment that made the most significant impact on your tank?

VintageReefer

10K Club member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 16, 2023
Messages
14,287
Reaction score
26,465
Location
USA
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Not sure if it qualifies, because it isn’t really “tank equipment”, but it is a piece of equipment that I use regularly for the hobby.

A diamond disk for my Dremel.

I mean, sure - I could say A&C skimmer that beats the hell out of the competition, or the UVA in the ReeFis that somehow are able to produce those MH-only colors but with LEDs. But the diamond disk somehow left far more impact than all the others, making it far easier to cut large amounts of frags or tough corals, which I tend to do regularly enough for it to make a difference.
Can you post a link to the one you like? I’m in the market
 

DanyL

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 13, 2023
Messages
1,561
Reaction score
1,877
Location
Middle East
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Can you post a link to the one you like? I’m in the market
Sure. It’s the official one, which so far lasts me around 2 years of heavy use (hundreds of frags)


Only thing important to remember is to rinse it with RODI water after use because otherwise it’ll eventually corrode. I also use a small brush to remove small particles and coral slime.
 

coatesy UK

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 24, 2024
Messages
8
Reaction score
3
Location
united kingdom
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Sometimes, when looking at new equipment, I wonder, "How much impact will that make on my tank?" Usually, the equipment we think won't make the most impact ends up being the best piece of equipment we have. I am wondering what one piece of equipment you have you thought wouldn't make a huge difference but ended up being a great addition.
I bought 4 of those Ocean Sea waves by Ocean Sea products ,wow the random water flow in my reef is the next level
 

MarineandReef Jaron

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 9, 2022
Messages
673
Reaction score
653
Location
Tempe Arizona
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I would say my mixing station setup.

For years I tried all kinds of things to eliminate water changes to no avail. I eventually learned that nothing can replace water changes and it is better to make them as easy as possible rather than try to eliminate them.
 

Delatedlotus

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 16, 2019
Messages
427
Reaction score
220
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
The Diatom Filter.....is my take.

It is by far the best intavation ever introduced to both freshwater and saltwater eco-systems ever! All reefers will someday turn back the clock and recognizes the sevier potential placed forward with this being the ultimate tool.... Very, very, large reef systems do in fact use Diatomaceous Earth in there filter systems.

The ole Vortex Diatom was way ahead of its time, and a lot of people recognized it back then. It was for just a very small home tanks up to say 500 gallons+, using the proven Diatom filtering capacity. The couple that manufactured it where getting pretty old and the motors and switch's wouldn't pass UL rating. You could get shocked quit a bit and pretty frinkantly...lol. It's so, so, sad but they closed down and no family member to take over. You can make one I have made a lot of them and I mean a lot! Polyester non- woven cloth holds back DE so easy to sew up a bag and your off and running. It is so, so, easy! Some people make it so hard.. lol... yes I just laugh and don't say much. Goggle and READ about the Diatom Filters and Diamouse Earth for filtering saltwater you will be amazed.. Reef On Brothers
 
Last edited:

Paul B

10K Club member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 3, 2010
Messages
19,126
Reaction score
66,284
Location
Long Island NY
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I would also say Diatom filters. I have been using them since the 60s and I don't think I would be in this hobby without one. Now I build them because the old Vortex's all corroded. :anguished-face:





Those and my reverse undergravel filter that has been on my tank for about 52 years. :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:
 

DanyL

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 13, 2023
Messages
1,561
Reaction score
1,877
Location
Middle East
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
The Diatom Filter.....

It is by far the best intavation ever introduced to both freshwater and saltwater eco-systems ever! All reefers will someday turn back the clock and recognizes the sevier potential placed forward with this the ultimate tool.... Very, very, large reef systems do in fact use Diatomaceous Earth in there filter systems.

The ole Vortex Diatom was way ahead of its time, and a lot of people recognized it back then. It was for just a very small home tanks up to say 500 gallons+, using the proven Diatom filtering capacity. The couple that manufactured it were getting pretty old and the motors and switch's wouldn't pass UL rating. You could get shocked quit a bit and pretty frinkantly...lol. It's so, so, sad but they closed down and no family member to take over. You can make one I have made a lot of them and I mean a lot! Polyester non- woven cloth holds back DE so easy to sew up a bag and your off and running. Goggle about the Diatom Filters. Some people make it so hard.. lol. It is so, so, easy! Read about the Diamouse Earth for filtering saltwater you will be amazed.. Reef On Brothers
Honestly, this is something that I wanted to try ever since @Paul B made his thread about it, going through the process of building a new one from scratch.

It really isn’t too difficult, but it does require some planning and free time to accomplish.
 

Mickey

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 9, 2016
Messages
492
Reaction score
314
Location
Cheshire, CT
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I would also say Diatom filters. I have been using them since the 60s and I don't think I would be in this hobby without one. Now I build them because the old Vortex's all corroded. :anguished-face:





Those and my reverse undergravel filter that has been on my tank for about 52 years. :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

Wow! Paul, you've made it pretty fancy since your thread last year. Any possibility of making the frame for me? I already have the rest of it.
 

Ziggy17

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 5, 2023
Messages
650
Reaction score
575
Location
West Kelowna
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
My trusty blackhead remover. It’s perfect for getting into the small cracks and holes in the rock to manually remove algae. I’ve attached it to the end of the syphon hose and it’s magic. IMG_2241.jpeg
 

PharmrJohn

The Dude Abides
View Badges
Joined
Mar 19, 2019
Messages
3,915
Reaction score
9,630
Location
Shelton, Washington
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
A new skimmer!! Never had a brand new skimmer, only used ones.
Same. Basically. Mine was a used no name skimmer to an E.T.S.S. 400 on a 90g.

Also, when I upgraded a no name light fixture for a TEK 8x54W T5 array. Coral finally started growing!
 

DanyL

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 13, 2023
Messages
1,561
Reaction score
1,877
Location
Middle East
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
My trusty blackhead remover. It’s perfect for getting into the small cracks and holes in the rock to manually remove algae. I’ve attached it to the end of the syphon hose and it’s magic. IMG_2241.jpeg
Another tool to be ordered.. right about now. Good idea!

I also like to add a cheap teeth scaler set as well as a cheap electronic one - they’re great purpose is the same, but they come with different shapes and sizes, and the electronic one allows to work in tight spaces, where you can’t really move much if at all.
 

BigAl07

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 20, 2007
Messages
477
Reaction score
507
Location
Waynesville, NC USA ~ Earth
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I took a hiatus from "Salty Water" about 10 years ago so there were many "technological advances" in the industry in that time period. Some pretty dang helpful and some not-so-much.

For me and how I Reef:
The Roller Mat (RedSea 500) was brilliant. It keep the "filter fresh" while also removing the trapped junk from the water column as opposed to it sitting and "stewing" when I get lazy on Filter Sock Day.

WiFi devices (RedSea and GHL) it makes being away from the tank much easier and convenient in so many ways.

Adding "motion detecting LED Strip Lights" inside the cabinet and over the sump was a HUGE game changer. That's my FAV upgrade even though it's not "Reef Tank" specific. It's the same system I have installed in my Gun Safes and definitely a MUST HAVE!
 

spsick

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 17, 2018
Messages
1,813
Reaction score
2,263
Location
Mpls, MN
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Upgrading my BRS 1.1ml dosers to a GHL 4 head. Calculating the timing on my BRS dosers on my Apex was such a pain and the GHL is a breeze to adjust.
 

PharmrJohn

The Dude Abides
View Badges
Joined
Mar 19, 2019
Messages
3,915
Reaction score
9,630
Location
Shelton, Washington
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
When I added more controllable wavemakers and added T5 bulbs to supplement my LEDs.
How much improvement do you think you had with the addition? I'm considering one of three options at this point. My footprint is 48x39x25.

1.) Two 48" Photon V2s,
2.) One Photon and Two Orphek Natura Icons
3.) One Photon flanked with Two 48" T5s.

Currently I have one Photon and one Orphek. The build is next summer.........
 

X-37B

Fight The Good Fight
View Badges
Joined
Sep 10, 2018
Messages
10,142
Reaction score
17,688
Location
The Outer Limits
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Sea Sweeps. I run 2 in my 59×30×21. Although old school they are all thats needed in my system for unlimited random flow.
In my old 120 I ran 6 powerheads to get proper flow.
They are worth a look if you have never heard of them.
20241129_110919.jpg
 
Last edited:

TOP 10 Trending Threads

DO YOU HAVE A KENYA TREE? SHOW IT OFF IN THE COMMENTS!

  • Yes, and I like it!

    Votes: 21 24.1%
  • Yes, but I don't like it...

    Votes: 6 6.9%
  • No, but I want one!

    Votes: 13 14.9%
  • No, and I don't want one.

    Votes: 44 50.6%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 3.4%
Back
Top