Items to Start Purchasing?

Bones12 · 02/14/2013, 10:25 AM

While I am in the process of finding the right setup, what could/should I buy ahead to get a jumpstart? So far I ordered Fenner's book, but would like to start buying some of the miscellaneous stuff as I can. I figure if its all spread out over a month or more, the wife won't realize exactly how expensive the hobby really is

. Things I can think of off hand are refractometer, RO/DI unit, 35g Brute trashcan on casters for storing/mixing my water, and test kits. Since I'm not dead set on tank size yet, I won't pick up anything equipment wise such as heaters, filtation, pumps....I figure that getting my RO/DI and mounting it up will "give me something to do" while waiting on the big stuff. I already know where it will go and how it will hook up so thats not an issue. Any other suggestions for what I could look for next?

TomTheWicked · 02/14/2013, 10:33 AM

Things I'd consider are:

1.) QT and associated equipment.
2.) Thermometer
3.) Rock/Sand (buy in 20lb increments, stop when you get enough for whatever size tank you decide)
4.) Small powerheads (for mixing station)
5.) Fish nets, acclimation tube, etc.

All I can think of at the moment...

Rognin · 02/14/2013, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomTheWicked

1.) QT and associated equipment.

This time ten.

Also:
-Basic Test kits for No3 and Ammonia. You'll need them to know when your first cycle is complete.

thebkramer · 02/14/2013, 10:47 AM

hmmmm....

also going with QT and equipment! very important!!
your salt mix.. you can get a big bucket or two or three lol
algae cleaning kit... mag float and Kent Algae Scraper (get extra razors too)
Salifert Test Kit.. refractometer.. Hannah Testers..
things to have just in case... like carbon, meds (not saying its a must) carbon lol
dry fish foods possibly... like New Life Spectrum Pellets (my fav) or wait til you have fish
ummmmm... Flashlight with red lens (so you can see the things that go bump in the night!! woo hoo!! lol)
air pump.. incase you lose power (if you don't plan on generator)
gravel vac (for cleaning sandbed during water changes)
also like above stated... dry rock and dry sand
Power Center like this one (doesn't have to be this one) or timer for lights or something a bit more complex !!!
LOTS of goodies you "could" get

maybe take a look too at Fish Supplies and make a list from there too. Then double check with us

(not saying you have to buy there.. but its a good place to look!)

Have Fun!! with it above all!!!!

acabgd · 02/14/2013, 10:50 AM

Small pumps and hoses for mixing station as well as additional thermometer (for mixed water). Start looking for bargains for stuff you know you will need - special offers on salt, LR or sand.

I also check eBay and CL every few days to see if there is any really high end equipment for sale for cheap. Being that you're not in a hurry you could really profit - I know I did

Rognin · 02/14/2013, 10:54 AM

If you want something that will keep filtration and powerheads going you could look into a UPS (un-interupted Power Supply) unit. It's like a surge protector with a battery. A 900w unit with power heads, skimmers and filters might give you about 24 hours of operation without electricty.

Saved me a world of trouble the week before last!

Bones12 · 02/14/2013, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomTheWicked

Things I'd consider are:

1.) QT and associated equipment.
2.) Thermometer
3.) Rock/Sand (buy in 20lb increments, stop when you get enough for whatever size tank you decide)
4.) Small powerheads (for mixing station)
5.) Fish nets, acclimation tube, etc.

All I can think of at the moment...

Since I had fw tanks I already have some stuff

Heres what I have so far:
-10g tank, might upgrade the qt size to a 29g though
-Aquaclear 110 hob and two smaller hob's
-Three large and one really large canister filters, probably sell these though to fund the new setup
- A few regular and a nice digital thermometer
-About 60lbs of nice lace rock
-several nets, extended algae scraper with various attachments for aquascaping
-Biggest Mag Float available plus a few smaller ones
-50ft Python wc vac and filler

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebkramer

hmmmm....

also going with QT and equipment! very important!!
your salt mix.. you can get a big bucket or two or three lol
algae cleaning kit... mag float and Kent Algae Scraper (get extra razors too)
Salifert Test Kit.. refractometer.. Hannah Testers..
things to have just in case... like carbon, meds (not saying its a must) carbon lol
dry fish foods possibly... like New Life Spectrum Pellets (my fav) or wait til you have fish
ummmmm... Flashlight with red lens (so you can see the things that go bump in the night!! woo hoo!! lol)
air pump.. incase you lose power (if you don't plan on generator)
gravel vac (for cleaning sandbed during water changes)
also like above stated... dry rock and dry sand

LOTS of goodies you "could" get

maybe take a look too at Fish Supplies and make a list from there too. Then double check with us

(not saying you have to buy there.. but its a good place to look!)

Have Fun!! with it above all!!!!

Never thought of the flashlight with colored lense! I plan on getting a small gas generator since we do get occasional ice storms, but will also have a battery backup in case it goes out while we are not home. I love drsfostersmith.com, use to always order from them. Going to keep my eyes out for sales on salt, also going to start picking up some more dry rock/base rock as I find it. I've noticed quite a few ads on craigslist for dry rock and some of it looks pretty nice.........Thanks All

Bones12 · 02/14/2013, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acabgd

Small pumps and hoses for mixing station as well as additional thermometer (for mixed water). Start looking for bargains for stuff you know you will need - special offers on salt, LR or sand.

I also check eBay and CL every few days to see if there is any really high end equipment for sale for cheap. Being that you're not in a hurry you could really profit - I know I did

I check ebay and craigslist religiously lol, they make great reading material when I'm in the "office" lol!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rognin

If you want something that will keep filtration and powerheads going you could look into a UPS (un-interupted Power Supply) unit. It's like a surge protector with a battery. A 900w unit with power heads, skimmers and filters might give you about 24 hours of operation without electricty.

Saved me a world of trouble the week before last!

The UPS is definitely on the list to buy.

Reeferz412 · 02/14/2013, 01:16 PM

1.) Test Kits (PH, Phosphates, Nitrites, Ammonia, Nitrates, Alk, Ca, Mg)
2.) RODI Unit and TDS Meter
3.) Mixing Pump for your salt mix trash can or buckets.
4.) QT Tank and some pieces of PVC for hiding spots.
5.) Some nice heaters (Jager is good)

Now since you are trying to find the right setup, perhaps you can kill a few birds with one stone. If you are looking on CL or ebay, perhaps it can be a big deal with multiple pieces of equipment like mixing cans, protein skimmer, pumps, etc etc.

Slystone · 02/14/2013, 01:39 PM

Heater controller.
GFCI outlets.

igot2gats · 02/14/2013, 02:30 PM

algae scubber: either a magnet or a scraper

Bones12 · 02/15/2013, 11:08 AM

Thanks again all, starting off small kind of takes the sting away lol! Forgot to put it in my list but I already have a nice portable bank of outlets protected under GFCI. I thought about switching the standard outlet in the family room to a GFCI, but don't really want it affecting the other outlets downline! Any suggestions on a decent UPS that is reliable but affordable?

02/14/2013, 10:25 AM	#1
Bones12 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Upstate Sc Posts: 68	Items to Start Purchasing? While I am in the process of finding the right setup, what could/should I buy ahead to get a jumpstart? So far I ordered Fenner's book, but would like to start buying some of the miscellaneous stuff as I can. I figure if its all spread out over a month or more, the wife won't realize exactly how expensive the hobby really is. Things I can think of off hand are refractometer, RO/DI unit, 35g Brute trashcan on casters for storing/mixing my water, and test kits. Since I'm not dead set on tank size yet, I won't pick up anything equipment wise such as heaters, filtation, pumps....I figure that getting my RO/DI and mounting it up will "give me something to do" while waiting on the big stuff. I already know where it will go and how it will hook up so thats not an issue. Any other suggestions for what I could look for next?

02/14/2013, 10:33 AM	#2
TomTheWicked Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Frednecksburg, VA Posts: 170	Things I'd consider are: 1.) QT and associated equipment. 2.) Thermometer 3.) Rock/Sand (buy in 20lb increments, stop when you get enough for whatever size tank you decide) 4.) Small powerheads (for mixing station) 5.) Fish nets, acclimation tube, etc. All I can think of at the moment... __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is" Current Tank Info: 40B w/20G sump, custom stand

02/14/2013, 10:47 AM	#4
thebkramer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 3,198	hmmmm.... also going with QT and equipment! very important!! your salt mix.. you can get a big bucket or two or three lol algae cleaning kit... mag float and Kent Algae Scraper (get extra razors too) Salifert Test Kit.. refractometer.. Hannah Testers.. things to have just in case... like carbon, meds (not saying its a must) carbon lol dry fish foods possibly... like New Life Spectrum Pellets (my fav) or wait til you have fish ummmmm... Flashlight with red lens (so you can see the things that go bump in the night!! woo hoo!! lol) air pump.. incase you lose power (if you don't plan on generator) gravel vac (for cleaning sandbed during water changes) also like above stated... dry rock and dry sand Power Center like this one (doesn't have to be this one) or timer for lights or something a bit more complex !!! LOTS of goodies you "could" get maybe take a look too at Fish Supplies and make a list from there too. Then double check with us (not saying you have to buy there.. but its a good place to look!) Have Fun!! with it above all!!!! __________________ Rhonda There is NO such things as Dumb Questions!! There are However.. Dumb Answers!!! ;) ____________ Current Tank Info: 55g reef....Current Orbit SunPaq Lights, HOB Eshopps, HOB AquaClear 110, 2-1400 Koralia Powerheads & 1 Nano Koralia, 40+ lbs LR, 2" LS Last edited by thebkramer; 02/14/2013 at 11:02 AM.

02/14/2013, 01:16 PM	#9
Reeferz412 Coral Hoarder Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,247	1.) Test Kits (PH, Phosphates, Nitrites, Ammonia, Nitrates, Alk, Ca, Mg) 2.) RODI Unit and TDS Meter 3.) Mixing Pump for your salt mix trash can or buckets. 4.) QT Tank and some pieces of PVC for hiding spots. 5.) Some nice heaters (Jager is good) Now since you are trying to find the right setup, perhaps you can kill a few birds with one stone. If you are looking on CL or ebay, perhaps it can be a big deal with multiple pieces of equipment like mixing cans, protein skimmer, pumps, etc etc. __________________ Alex FMAS Member Current Tank Info: 400 Gallons of frags... 30 gallon Deep Blue mixed reef ... 70 other tanks throughout south FL

02/14/2013, 01:39 PM	#10
Slystone Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: WI Posts: 258	Heater controller. GFCI outlets. __________________ Nemomma (><((('> 28 gal nano cube, Rapid LED Retrofit, 50# LR 40# LS 2 ocellaris, yellow watchman goby. Firefish, yellow accessor

02/14/2013, 10:50 AM	#5
acabgd Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Belgrade Posts: 1,086	Small pumps and hoses for mixing station as well as additional thermometer (for mixed water). Start looking for bargains for stuff you know you will need - special offers on salt, LR or sand. I also check eBay and CL every few days to see if there is any really high end equipment for sale for cheap. Being that you're not in a hurry you could really profit - I know I did

02/14/2013, 10:54 AM	#6
Rognin Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Quebec, Canada Posts: 387	If you want something that will keep filtration and powerheads going you could look into a UPS (un-interupted Power Supply) unit. It's like a surge protector with a battery. A 900w unit with power heads, skimmers and filters might give you about 24 hours of operation without electricty. Saved me a world of trouble the week before last!

02/14/2013, 02:30 PM	#11
igot2gats Deeeetroit Basketball! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 1,063	algae scubber: either a magnet or a scraper __________________ Jeff Stop being lazy, and use the search function. Seriously. Current Tank Info: 75g DT / 20g sump / 20g QT - Eheim 1250, Tunze Osmolator 3155, GHL Profilux 3, 2 Tunze 6095, Tunze Wavebox, Aqua Illumination Hydra LEDs

02/15/2013, 11:08 AM	#12
Bones12 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Upstate Sc Posts: 68	Thanks again all, starting off small kind of takes the sting away lol! Forgot to put it in my list but I already have a nice portable bank of outlets protected under GFCI. I thought about switching the standard outlet in the family room to a GFCI, but don't really want it affecting the other outlets downline! Any suggestions on a decent UPS that is reliable but affordable?