Acessories Needed?

Aurora D. · 10/12/2008, 06:00 PM

I was budgeting my reef trying to come up with a list of everything I needed for my biocube w/ 70w sunpod, not including coral and fish. Please tell me anything I might have missed:

Aquaclear 110 Fuge
Heater
Sand
Buckets
Net
Mag-Float
RO-DI
Powerhead
Salt
Additives for later on i.e Kent Marine (Please Tell me which ones you find necessary)
Food/Phytoplankton (Again for later on)
Liverock

Ok, thats all. The additives and food won't be bought until needed but I still wan't to add them. Thanks, and please add on if you think I missed something

Purple Haze · 10/12/2008, 06:12 PM

Turkey baster
Long tongs
Long scraper

Aurora D. · 10/12/2008, 08:50 PM

Ok, thanks!!

PaulieWalnuts · 10/12/2008, 09:02 PM

yeah purple is right...a turkey baster is a must have.

Salamander · 10/12/2008, 09:19 PM

Razor blades
Tank polish
Vinyl tubing for water changes etc.
Small fan for tank cooling
Super glue gel and Aquamend epoxy for coral fragging.

Regarding additives: You don't need most of the crap that you see for sale. Kalkwasser (or Try Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime), a calcium booster (DIY recipes in Chemistry Forum) and baking soda to maintain Alk are pretty much the basics of what you need.

Aurora D. · 10/12/2008, 10:10 PM

Ok, thank you all. How about iodine in the form of lugols solution, is that necessary? BTW is reef crystals a good salt?

Bri Guy · 10/13/2008, 10:15 AM

reef crystals is a good brand of salt

add.....

Test kits (Alk, Ca for sure, Ammonia if you want to check the cycle, and Nitrate, Phosphate, and Mg down the road)
Refractometer and $5 calibration solution
Thermometer

Aurora D. · 10/13/2008, 06:06 PM

Should I really get a refractometer, they seem like such an expense when a box salinity checker (Don't know what they're called, but you probably can figure it out) would seem to suffice. BTW Does anybody know a cheap at least 20gpd RO/DI unit that does a fairly good job? Thanks!!

scapes · 10/13/2008, 06:52 PM

yes, get a refractometer

BuddhaKiss · 10/13/2008, 11:37 PM

Although I wouldn't consider a refractometer a "must have" over a swing arm hydrometer, you will most likely get a refractometer eventually anyway. Might as well spend the extra $30-40 and get it now.

JustinReef · 10/13/2008, 11:48 PM

Moonlights?

Depending on what you end up keeping in it, I have found carbon to be a huge help with nano type all in one tanks. Just something you may want to start using near the beginning.

PaulieWalnuts · 10/13/2008, 11:55 PM

also make a monthly budget plan...it might sound stupid but that way it keeps you on track with the must have stuff and a maintenance plan is also something good to have and get used to for a successful tank.

not saying you can't budget money or anything i just find it nice and a cool way to make sure you don't forget to buy something you need.

Aurora D. · 10/14/2008, 06:43 AM

Ok, I may buy a refractometer, and nice tip PaulieWalnuts. I am still looking for a fairly good RO/DI unit however that can yield at least 20 gpd.

DLANDINO · 10/14/2008, 07:13 AM

1 gallon of white vinegar for cleaning the glass and equipment, outside of the tank of course.

Aurora D. · 10/14/2008, 05:36 PM

Ok, thank you all for your support. Hopefully I can get all this for under $300. I'm about to budget so cross your fingers!!!

PaulieWalnuts · 10/14/2008, 05:38 PM

yeah all i know is i am WAY over my budget on my build lol good luck on yours!

Aurora D. · 10/14/2008, 06:01 PM

Thanks, but I may actually not be in quite as tight of a situation as I think. As it turns out I may have to wait until we get carpet this March to set it up, with the added cycle time thrown in I should have a little more money than I thought for extras and coral etc. But the wait is certainly making me get very ansy. Oh well, all godd things come in time. Thanks again for everyone's info and support, I appreciate. If anybody still has something to add that would definetely be appreciated also.

LulusMoogle · 10/14/2008, 06:22 PM

I just set up my biocube about a week and a half ago. I bought all of my things over a period of two months while we were building the stand. If you have a low-paying job, this definitely makes a difference.

The suspense is unbearable. But it's worth it.

Also, I wouldn't suggest razor blades with a BC. The tank is acrylic, so the blades would scratch it easily. Make sure that all the tank cleaning stuff you buy is for acrylic tanks. Not glass.

Otherwise, you look good to go! Make a budget, as PaulieWalnuts suggested. It really does make a huge difference.

Good luck!

Aurora D. · 10/15/2008, 07:39 AM

It's Acrylic? I hope it won't get cloudy.

Aurora D. · 10/15/2008, 07:10 PM

Sfter some reserach I found out biocubes are glass, not acrylic.

LockeOak · 10/15/2008, 08:20 PM

I'm not sure where you're located but find out if there's a local club. They're the best source for used equipment, particularly the type of stuff you're talking about.

Also:
Paper towels
Old toothbrush
Extra powerhead to help out with water changes
Light timers

Aurora D. · 10/16/2008, 06:12 AM

Ok, thanks LockeOak!!

10/12/2008, 06:00 PM	#1
Aurora D. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 325	Acessories Needed? I was budgeting my reef trying to come up with a list of everything I needed for my biocube w/ 70w sunpod, not including coral and fish. Please tell me anything I might have missed: Aquaclear 110 Fuge Heater Sand Buckets Net Mag-Float RO-DI Powerhead Salt Additives for later on i.e Kent Marine (Please Tell me which ones you find necessary) Food/Phytoplankton (Again for later on) Liverock Ok, thats all. The additives and food won't be bought until needed but I still wan't to add them. Thanks, and please add on if you think I missed something __________________ Cats, Gardens, and Reefs... OH MY!!

10/12/2008, 08:50 PM	#3
Aurora D. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 325	Ok, thanks!! __________________ Cats, Gardens, and Reefs... OH MY!!

10/12/2008, 09:19 PM	#5
Salamander Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Flagstaff, Arizona Posts: 2,103	Razor blades Tank polish Vinyl tubing for water changes etc. Small fan for tank cooling Super glue gel and Aquamend epoxy for coral fragging. Regarding additives: You don't need most of the crap that you see for sale. Kalkwasser (or Try Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime), a calcium booster (DIY recipes in Chemistry Forum) and baking soda to maintain Alk are pretty much the basics of what you need. __________________ I feel more like myself now than I did before. Current Tank Info: 120g mixed reef, 2 x 250W DE MH, 2 x 54w T5, MSX 200 SKimmer, 2 Koralia 4's, 40g fuge/sump, QT

10/12/2008, 10:10 PM	#6
Aurora D. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 325	Ok, thank you all. How about iodine in the form of lugols solution, is that necessary? BTW is reef crystals a good salt? __________________ Cats, Gardens, and Reefs... OH MY!!

10/13/2008, 10:15 AM	#7
Bri Guy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Appleton, Wisconsin Posts: 2,995	reef crystals is a good brand of salt add..... Test kits (Alk, Ca for sure, Ammonia if you want to check the cycle, and Nitrate, Phosphate, and Mg down the road) Refractometer and $5 calibration solution Thermometer __________________ For my birthday i got a humidifier and a de-humidifier... I put them in the same room and let them fight it out. (Steven Wright) Current Tank Info: 40BR w/ 250w 14K Phoenix + 192w PC, 10g fuge w/ 55w PC, 10g sump, Eheim 1250 return w/ SCWD, ASM Mini G skimmer, Gravity fed ATO, Kalk doser, 1/10 HP chiller, 1 Vortec + 3MJs, all on an AC Jr. - Born on date 8-06 Pics in gallery! + 55g FOWLR w/ macro

10/12/2008, 06:12 PM	#2
Purple Haze Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: TX Posts: 1,156	Turkey baster Long tongs Long scraper

10/12/2008, 09:02 PM	#4
PaulieWalnuts Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: charlotte, nc Posts: 1,381	yeah purple is right...a turkey baster is a must have.

10/13/2008, 06:06 PM	#8
Aurora D. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 325	Should I really get a refractometer, they seem like such an expense when a box salinity checker (Don't know what they're called, but you probably can figure it out) would seem to suffice. BTW Does anybody know a cheap at least 20gpd RO/DI unit that does a fairly good job? Thanks!! __________________ Cats, Gardens, and Reefs... OH MY!!

10/13/2008, 06:52 PM	#9
scapes Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Millbrook, AL Posts: 2,520	yes, get a refractometer

10/13/2008, 11:37 PM	#10
BuddhaKiss Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Northern Va Posts: 1,068	Although I wouldn't consider a refractometer a "must have" over a swing arm hydrometer, you will most likely get a refractometer eventually anyway. Might as well spend the extra $30-40 and get it now.

10/13/2008, 11:48 PM	#11
JustinReef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,715	Moonlights? Depending on what you end up keeping in it, I have found carbon to be a huge help with nano type all in one tanks. Just something you may want to start using near the beginning.

10/13/2008, 11:55 PM	#12
PaulieWalnuts Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: charlotte, nc Posts: 1,381	also make a monthly budget plan...it might sound stupid but that way it keeps you on track with the must have stuff and a maintenance plan is also something good to have and get used to for a successful tank. not saying you can't budget money or anything i just find it nice and a cool way to make sure you don't forget to buy something you need.

10/14/2008, 06:43 AM	#13
Aurora D. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 325	Ok, I may buy a refractometer, and nice tip PaulieWalnuts. I am still looking for a fairly good RO/DI unit however that can yield at least 20 gpd. __________________ Cats, Gardens, and Reefs... OH MY!!

10/14/2008, 07:13 AM	#14
DLANDINO D.L. Heritage Rings Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Clinton, CT USA Posts: 5,610	1 gallon of white vinegar for cleaning the glass and equipment, outside of the tank of course. __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: JBJ 8 Nano mixed

10/14/2008, 05:36 PM	#15
Aurora D. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 325	Ok, thank you all for your support. Hopefully I can get all this for under $300. I'm about to budget so cross your fingers!!! __________________ Cats, Gardens, and Reefs... OH MY!!

10/14/2008, 05:38 PM	#16
PaulieWalnuts Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: charlotte, nc Posts: 1,381	yeah all i know is i am WAY over my budget on my build lol good luck on yours!

10/14/2008, 06:01 PM	#17
Aurora D. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 325	Thanks, but I may actually not be in quite as tight of a situation as I think. As it turns out I may have to wait until we get carpet this March to set it up, with the added cycle time thrown in I should have a little more money than I thought for extras and coral etc. But the wait is certainly making me get very ansy. Oh well, all godd things come in time. Thanks again for everyone's info and support, I appreciate. If anybody still has something to add that would definetely be appreciated also. __________________ Cats, Gardens, and Reefs... OH MY!!

10/14/2008, 06:22 PM	#18
LulusMoogle Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 370	I just set up my biocube about a week and a half ago. I bought all of my things over a period of two months while we were building the stand. If you have a low-paying job, this definitely makes a difference. The suspense is unbearable. But it's worth it. Also, I wouldn't suggest razor blades with a BC. The tank is acrylic, so the blades would scratch it easily. Make sure that all the tank cleaning stuff you buy is for acrylic tanks. Not glass. Otherwise, you look good to go! Make a budget, as PaulieWalnuts suggested. It really does make a huge difference. Good luck!

10/15/2008, 07:39 AM	#19
Aurora D. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 325	It's Acrylic? I hope it won't get cloudy. __________________ Cats, Gardens, and Reefs... OH MY!!

10/15/2008, 07:10 PM	#20
Aurora D. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 325	Sfter some reserach I found out biocubes are glass, not acrylic. __________________ Cats, Gardens, and Reefs... OH MY!!

10/15/2008, 08:20 PM	#21
LockeOak Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 839	I'm not sure where you're located but find out if there's a local club. They're the best source for used equipment, particularly the type of stuff you're talking about. Also: Paper towels Old toothbrush Extra powerhead to help out with water changes Light timers

10/16/2008, 06:12 AM	#22
Aurora D. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 325	Ok, thanks LockeOak!! __________________ Cats, Gardens, and Reefs... OH MY!!