Essential equipment

[jimmy n]

If you were to start over today, which pieces of equipment would you consider absolutely essential in running a successful reef tank? I would like to exclude the obvious such as tank, lights, heater, water.

Which gadgets are not replaceable in your setup?

[phenom5]

1. ATO
2. Auto Dosing pumps
3. Controller

Non-negotiable, must-haves in my book.

[Donkeykong]

ATO, everything else is really dependent on size and purpose of tank. For instance I wouldn't do a reef without a skimmer, but I would do a fish only without one.

[origreefer]

1. Ozone with ORP controller
2. Bio Pellet reactor

No two pieces of equipment have done better for my water quality than these.

[JustGoingFishng]

UV Sterilizer, Timer to turn off pumps/powerheads during feeding

[pmrossetti]

Test kits, siphon hoses, gloves

[radobahn]

Originally Posted by phenom5

1. ATO
2. Auto Dosing pumps
3. Controller

Non-negotiable, must-haves in my book.

This^^

These three items have made everything so much easier for me..

[JustGoingFishng]

Oh, and one of these or a different brand. I've found that leaks aren't a matter of "if" but a matter of "when".

[Reef or Die]

ATO makes life easier and the tank more enjoyable..
A battery powered air stone for peace of mind just in case power goes out..
A turkey baster for blowing off corals and rocks..
Having a blower fan on a controller turn on when the temp gets to hot is another must have for summers.

[tchi]

ATO changed my life

[tdhnry]

Originally Posted by origreefer

1. Ozone with ORP controller
2. Bio Pellet reactor

No two pieces of equipment have done better for my water quality than these.

Do you think Ozone is still considered an essential?

I remember when I first got in the hobby many decades ago all the best tank ran Ozone. Not so much today. I understand its purpose and all but with better skimmers and carbon it seems not as popular.

I have Red Sea AquaZone in my closet for years that I've never set up. I'm planning on including it in my new Reef Savvy build that I'm working on.

Between the Ozone and the starfire glass I'm expecting clarity like crazy.

[origreefer]

Originally Posted by tdhnry

Do you think Ozone is still considered an essential?

I remember when I first got in the hobby many decades ago all the best tank ran Ozone. Not so much today. I understand its purpose and all but with better skimmers and carbon it seems not as popular.

I have Red Sea AquaZone in my closet for years that I've never set up. I'm planning on including it in my new Reef Savvy build that I'm working on.

Between the Ozone and the starfire glass I'm expecting clarity like crazy.

I've been using Ozone since 1990. What it offers for me is stability. Ozone is used to clean air, pools, spas, and sanitize just about everything. Used with a controller, the system remains stable, you know when the 5 year old dumps a whole bottle of food in the tank, or when a powerhead sucks in a snail, or a snail or animal dies. Ozone prevents the slippery slope from occurring. It has NO negative effect and provides crystal clear water as well. The best skimmer is no match. I use to inject into the skimmer but a couple of years ago went to a Avast O3 reactor.

[tdhnry]

Originally Posted by origreefer

1. Ozone with ORP controller
2. Bio Pellet reactor

No two pieces of equipment have done better for my water quality than these.

Originally Posted by origreefer

I've been using Ozone since 1990. What it offers for me is stability. Ozone is used to clean air, pools, spas, and sanitize just about everything. Used with a controller, the system remains stable, you know when the 5 year old dumps a whole bottle of food in the tank, or when a powerhead sucks in a snail, or a snail or animal dies. Ozone prevents the slippery slope from occurring. It has NO negative effect and provides crystal clear water as well. The best skimmer is no match. I use to inject into the skimmer but a couple of years ago went to a Avast O3 reactor.

Thanks for the input.

Now I'm adding it to my list of essentials!

[Bpb]

Ato. I'd manage without my wave makers, bio pellets, gfo reactor, apex ect. But nothing benefits my tank more than the stability provided by the ATo. Second place are quality tests for salinity, calcium, alk, and magnesium

[rounder45]

RO/DI unit.

[callsign4223]

Originally Posted by rounder45

RO/DI unit.

+1
Conveinence is key.

[ThreeMoneyJ]

Another vote for an ATO.

[animalkingdom]

well i definitely think powerheads are a must unless you run a closed loop.
Next would be RODI and I really love my ATO and skimmer