What piece of Equipment would I have bought if I knew how important it was in the beginning.

[Bryn]

Hopefully some long time Reefers will chime in here, even if they agree with other posters about the equipment, giving us an indication of what equipment we should have bought when we setup that tank. In over twenty years of playing in water I should have done this sooner.

For me, I wish I had started with an ATO, especially in an AIO (All In One) tank. I run an AIO with the lid off, and it is incredible how often that ATO is operating during the day, and how salinity will swing during the day without the ATO on an AIO. Salinity is very important to keep stable. All my independent tanks now have ATO on them, and I have seen a dramatic response, in the absence of my laziness.

What was your piece of equipment?

Cheers

 

[hmmmmm]

No competition, auto water changes. I think almost every problem i had with the first few tanks could have been avoided with awc. Have apex pumps now but even a standalone litermeter or similar would do the trick.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

I think this is the most obvious one but I should have had a bigger tank. I started with an innovative marine 20 in August, but then switched to an IM40 by New Years. Then I had the 40 gallon for 2.5 years.

When I set up the 20 gallon I had previously only had a 10g freshwater tank so 20 seemed huge. But it doesn’t take long to run out of space or swimming room.

 

[footgal]

An ATO and the glass cleaner... I mean wow a magnet with a scrapey thing saved me so much effort...

 

[Bryn]

No competition, auto water changes. I think almost every problem i had with the first few tanks could have been avoided with awc. Have apex pumps now but even a standalone litermeter or similar would do the trick.

I'm looking at this myself. A little complicated for the new reefer but doable, and shows how important stability is, leading to long term success, and staying in Reefing, as well as removing stress of other issues popping up.

 

[Bryn]

I think this is the most obvious one but I should have had a bigger tank. I started with an innovative marine 20 in August, but then switched to an IM40 by New Years. Then I had the 40 gallon for 2.5 years.

When I set up the 20 gallon I had previously only had a 10g freshwater tank so 20 seemed huge. But it doesn’t take long to run out of space or swimming room.

I agree, go as large as you can. I would almost say, if you have a 40G or larger, plumb it now for a Sump, even if you cap it off.

 

[Gernader]

Mine would be the ATO! I got tired of pouring water every single day for a year long, then I got fed up and decided to buy an ato. I definitely do not regret it.

FYI, there was a thread similar to this from revhtree!

QUESTION OF THE DAY - What's the best piece of equipment you have purchased for your reef?

Please share. Whats is the one item you bought for your reef that was a game changer in one way or another? For me I have to saymy Hanna Alk Checker is the best thing I have bought for the reef. It has allowed me to dial in and keep alk stable. A total game changer in keeping my corals happy. A...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[hart24601]

I would have gotten a smaller tank. Started off a couple decades ago with over 100g but I would have been better off with an all in one or a 40b. Less overwhelming and less money.

 

[Bryn]

Mine would be the ATO! I got tired of pouring water every single day for a year long, then I got fed up and decided to buy an ato. I definitely do not regret it.

FYI, there was a thread similar to this from revhtree!

QUESTION OF THE DAY - What's the best piece of equipment you have purchased for your reef?

Please share. Whats is the one item you bought for your reef that was a game changer in one way or another? For me I have to saymy Hanna Alk Checker is the best thing I have bought for the reef. It has allowed me to dial in and keep alk stable. A total game changer in keeping my corals happy. A...

www.reef2reef.com

Thanks @Gernader I just reinvented the wheel...;Facepalm Missed that, but that is a great post. Everyone, welcome to post here, or jump over to the other post.

Thanks.

 

[fish farmer]

dosing pump.

 

[Arabyps]

A larger tank. With more water volume, the less risk in major shifts in parameters and habitat. I started with a 54 gallon corner unit and now have a 170 gallon peninsula.

 

[Potatohead]

T5 lighting

 

[John08007]

The ato and dosing pumps are my pics for a mixed reef. Once you get your 2 part dialed in it removes the constant worry if you remembered to add cal, alk. The apex is like the cherry on top, allows me to tinker and continue to automate daily chores

 

[Bryn]

dosing pump.

Which ones have you looked at, or thought of using?

 

[Bryn]

I would have gotten a smaller tank. Started off a couple decades ago with over 100g but I would have been better off with an all in one or a 40b. Less overwhelming and less money.

Thank you for that reply. I would have thought bigger, but did not stop to think of what you mentioned. Thanks.

 

[BighohoReef]

Out of the gate a good wavemaker. Using a Maxspect gyre now, was the best thing to help cycle the tank and keep detritus from building up... which it still does today. It's a vital part of our tanks, it's why the wavemaker and my heaters are on backup up batteries.

 

[John08007]

Which ones have you looked at, or thought of using?

I have used one of the cheap $60-80 ones on amazon for several years with no problems.

 

[AZMSGT]

Honestly, the first thing I would redo, fix, correct or get right from the beginning would be the aquascape.

Understanding the chemistry and having the right test kits from day one is a big thing new folks should have right away.

 

[WvAquatics]

Definitely ato. This pouring a gallon and a half in a day sucks. But now my stand doesn't have room so I need to have one outside and kids will mess with it so it's a whole new planning to get one.

 

[Bryn]

Out of the gate a good wavemaker. Using a Maxspect gyre now, was the best thing to help cycle the tank and keep detritus from building up... which it still does today. It's a vital part of our tanks, it's why the wavemaker and my heaters are on backup up batteries.

I know I did not do it, but making your AquaScape detritus compatible. Thinking ahead to how you can move the detritus around so it is easier to clean, or moving into the water column to be filtered off.

EDIT: What I meant above, was do not have the rock so far back in the tank that you have dead spots/zones, have a good space so you can move a power head to the side and shoot a jet of water down the back and get the detritus out from behind, or setup the power heads to be able to use a circular motion of water. It also helps to have that space to clean, chase fish etc.