Suggestions for tools - ATO, heater, algae scraper, etc.

[kyley]

Hi All, First, my keyboard is broken and wont type some caracters so excuse my spellin...
I'm trying to figure out what additional items I need for my new Red Sea Max 250 that's currently in the mail...

A. Wat pump sould I look for tat is reasonable and would work for pumpin 50 feet or so (to use wit te ATO and for water cycles)?

1. I'm interested in an ATO, but don't want to pay an arm and a leg... I was looking at the JBJ ATO System (like $80). Is it a an option or better ones?

2. Since I need to heat my fresh saltwater for water cycles to the temperature of the tank first, can someone suggest a heater I can use (I guess one with a thermostat that will get the water to the aquarium temperature for when I'm ready to add it)? Suggestions?

3. Also, isn't there a tool I need to circulate (mix) the fresh saltwater? What is it I need? Any suggestions?

4. Are the algae magnets worth getting? I was looking at the Algae Free Piranha Float Algae Magnet (like $36). I have no idea how these work, but I'd been told by someone that they are helpful. Should I get one of those or look at something else (or other algae magnets that I should consider)?

Thanks in advance for your recommendations,
--Kyle

[PRDubois]

First things first! Spend the $20 for a new keyboard

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Microsof...&skuId=8934718

[joeychitwood]

I like Ebo Jager heaters. An algae magnet is very useful, unless you plan on scaping by hand inside the tank. I'd suggest reading the stickies at the top of this forum for answers to all of your questions. Almost every topic a new reefer can think of is covered there.

[natedogwv1]

you might want to add a nano korilla to help circulate the water. im not sure how well the red sea is with circulation but korillas do a good job.

[phenom5]

Originally Posted by kyley

1. I'm interested in an ATO, but don't want to pay an arm and a leg... I was looking at the JBJ ATO System (like $80). Is it a an option or better ones?

I got my ATO setup from Autotopoff.com. I would highly recommend spending the extra money on the double switch controller.

Originally Posted by kyley

3. Also, isn't there a tool I need to circulate (mix) the fresh saltwater? What is it I need? Any suggestions?

Just about any powerhead will work.

Originally Posted by kyley

4. Are the algae magnets worth getting? I was looking at the Algae Free Piranha Float Algae Magnet (like $36). I have no idea how these work, but I'd been told by someone that they are helpful. Should I get one of those or look at something else (or other algae magnets that I should consider)?

Good to have IMO. I have a mag-float. Works well, and it makes keeping the glass clean a lot easier. I still have a few scrapers around, sometimes the algae magnets can't get the really stubborn/ hard stuff.

[Pawky]

Originally Posted by kyley

1. I'm interested in an ATO, but don't want to pay an arm and a leg... I was looking at the JBJ ATO System (like $80). Is it a an option or better ones?

I have a JBJ. I've had problems with the floats in the past. If I were going to do it over again I'd buy a Tunze.

Originally Posted by kyley

2. Since I need to heat my fresh saltwater for water cycles to the temperature of the tank first, can someone suggest a heater I can use (I guess one with a thermostat that will get the water to the aquarium temperature for when I'm ready to add it)? Suggestions?

Any cheap heater should work.

Originally Posted by kyley

3. Also, isn't there a tool I need to circulate (mix) the fresh saltwater? What is it I need? Any suggestions?

I use an old powerhead. I only do 5 gallon water changes so my powerhead usually brings the temperature of the water up.

Originally Posted by kyley

4. Are the algae magnets worth getting? I was looking at the Algae Free Piranha Float Algae Magnet (like $36). I have no idea how these work, but I'd been told by someone that they are helpful. Should I get one of those or look at something else (or other algae magnets that I should consider)?

I've had several types of algae magnets and wasn't happy until I bought a Magnavore. They are helpful but you will still have to do some scraping.

[kyley]

Hah - it's a laptop keyboard - I'll be calling HP about it today (typing from my desktop now).

Thanks for the recommendations on the Ebo Jager heater. I've also heard good things about the Visi-Therm Stealth heaters and will decide between those two (might switch it with the heater that came with the aquarium and use it for the fresh saltwater)...

As for the powerhead - is that just a submersible pump without any tubing connected? Would a cheap $20 pump be sufficient - i.e. an Eheim 300 Compact Pump (80 gph)?

Pawky, did you try the AlgaeFree Piranha? That's the other one I was looking at - a bit cheaper and floats.

Any suggestions for a pump to use for water changes? Thanks,
--Kyle

[DC_40gallon]

Scrappers - I bought a mag float and hated it. I bought a $1 ice scrapper from walmart and love it! Works quick, easy and simple.

Water circulation - Again I went to walmart and bought a $2.75 plastic ended turbine looking paint mixer for a drill. I use this to mix my salt and water and it again does an amazing job. I hooked it up to a drill and I can create a literal tornado in my 5 gallon bucket. Some people used a powerhead for 24 hours but I honestly find that with a quality salt (I use red sea coral pro) that with my paint mixer, I can have my salt 100% dissolved and my water is clear to the bottom in a matter of a few mixes and minutes.

Consider getting a heater too for your water change, heating the water when mixing salt makes the salt dissolve very quickly.

[Blownsvt]

I use a JBJ ATO and really like it.

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by kyley

As for the powerhead - is that just a submersible pump without any tubing connected? Would a cheap $20 pump be sufficient - i.e. an Eheim 300 Compact Pump (80 gph)? --Kyle

You could buy a Maxi-Jet 1200 for that purpose. Regarding a pump for water changes, I didn't catch how big your tank is or how large your water changes will be. I have a 55 gallon corner tank, and I simply siphon out 10% of the water into a bucket and pour new water back in, no pumps. If you have a larger tank, this won't work so well, but still can be done.