What's The Must Have Equipment For Your Reef Tank?

[reeferkeeper420]

Oh i dont disagree tht there are many succesful tanks ran on tap. For me tho, i dont even want to risk it. I always see people with algae and nutrient problems, and you look at there water source and its tap. Its all personal opinion, its hard to pick just one. Lights skimmer powerheads rodi are all my top pieces of equipment that are neccesary IMO.

 

[Kyle1970]

In regards to this hobby, I think the most important single piece of equipment is lights. Almost everything else can be taken care of via manual labor. ATO is not necessary, just do it yourself, same with a controller, or skimmer, etc... there are ways around those things without them being 1000% necessary. Those things are items that make reefing easier, not necessary by any means.

But for corals, without proper lighting it is almost impossible to keep them alive or growing.

Now if you are just talking about a fowlr tank, then well shit, I dunno.

Good call. I have rethought my ATO answer. I think ATO seemed important to me because I have a lot of the other parts. That being said, it was not the first piece I purchased when setting up.
I think coral tanks have so many mechanical pieces that need to be running in sync to make the tank work.
FOWLR is another whole ballgame.
There are cold water tanks where heating them is not an issue.
There are tanks with 0 light requirements.
I would think most important would be water flow.

May be just a never ending discussion until the exact goals are explained for the tank....

 

[Nonuser]

Well the question was asked because I'm new to the saltwater hobby. But not new to the aquarium hobby.

I have read a lot of conflicting schools of thought on what's necessary to keep a reef tank. Goal is a sweet mixed reef.

I have a 20 gallon fusion all in one with the standard lights.

I have found that you can spend an extreme amount of money in this hobby. But I have the feeling that most of the extra equipment is just everyone's need to buy toys and follow the leader and get the next best thing that is going to impress the next guy.

But what is the truth ? What is really needed to successfully keep and maintain a mix reef.

 

[heath]

I hear what your saying,

 

[Nonuser]

I hear what your saying,

Yes,
I bought the all in one for the idea of having a clean crisp look. But that also requires not having tons of wires,cables and pvc running here there and everywhere.

I have been there and done that, I've had the fever of having to get a bigger and bigger tank or having to have multiple tanks so that I can keep every thing I desire.

Spending every dollar on equipment that I don't need or find out that the equipment I have purchased needs more maintenance than just simple water changes and if I don't maintain that equipment it will have a big effect on the aquariums chemistry.

 

[heath]

I agree, that's why I like the kiss theory.. my coral tank is going to be super simple.. water in water out, I'm getting to be a pro at cleaning tanks..
I have done the same thing, bought things that once it was all said and done, didn't need..