Starting list, what am I missing?

[NancyFish]

Okay, tell me what I’m still missing on the list for a solid start. Or eases day to day maintenance.

65g tank & stand
2 storm clowns
Live sand & rock & turbo 900
RO/DI & Trash cans & salt
API salt / reef test & Refractometer
Python siphon & pond pump
QT with copper & prazipro
Overflow
Reefmat
Return pump
Heaters
ATO
Sump
Needs media, maybe chaeto?
Assuming I need a wave maker
Unsure about what coral lights
Planning first frags at RAP expo

 

[Olefreebe]

Dr Tim's ammonia and Dr Tim's one and only bacteria?

 

[RabidDragon]

Test kits: ultra low Nitrate, Phosphate, Calcium
wouldn't need chaeto until your nitrates and phos start to climb...
would strongly recommend holding off on obtaining frags until the tank is >6 months old. add live phyto and pod prior to coral.

 

[NancyFish]

Dr Tim's ammonia and Dr Tim's one and only bacteria?

I forgot about the ammonia, I did just the bacteria in the QT and I think it was a bit much for the first fish. Fishless here on out

 

[TokenReefer]

That should keep you busy for a while Good starting list. Can I ask, what API salt would you be using? They make a salt for fresh water as far as I know

 

[NancyFish]

Test kits: ultra low Nitrate, Phosphate, Calcium
wouldn't need chaeto until your nitrates and phos start to climb...
would strongly recommend holding off on obtaining frags until the tank is >6 months old. add live phyto and pod prior to coral.

How soon can you add the phyto and pod? I think I read somewhere to wait a month or to before copepods. Thanks for the other advice too!

 

[xDMike]

I would get the wave maker before you add any corals, and maybe spring for a better test kit than the API kit if you can. The API will work fine for cycling the tank though.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

API salt / reef test

A lot of people would probably recommend switching the API tests for Salifert, Red Sea, or Hanna tests

Heaters

A controller for heaters/chillers is generally recommended - Inkbird and Ranco are the two most commom that I've seen; Inkbird is the cheaper option.

Assuming I need a wave maker
Unsure about what coral lights

Yeah, a wavemaker or two would be good.

Lots of options on lights - I'd just say to decide what corals you want to keep (softies, LPS, SPS, etc.) and if you want a more white or more blue look for the tank; that should help with some of the decision making here.

Dr Tim's ammonia and Dr Tim's one and only bacteria?

The live sand (I'm not sure if OP is using live rock or not) and Fritz TurboStart 900 would do the job of bottle bacteria - so no need for the Dr. Tim's bacteria; if they use enough of the Fritz and add/start feeding the fish immediately, they don't need to add ammonia either:

For what it's worth to you, Dr. Reef did a study on bottle-bac for insta-cycling a tank a while back. They found Fritz Turbo Start 900 was the best, and Biospira and Dr. Tim’s were runners up.

Dr. Reef said:
Few years ago I conducted a massive study here on r2r. It's called bacteria in bottle myth or fact.
We studied 9 or 10 different brands.
Fritz turbostart 900 wins in every way possible.
Bio Spira and Dr Tim one and only are runner ups.
Rest I found might be hetrotrophic ammonia sludge removers.
We use instant cycles in our qt tanks in between bleaching tanks.
Never had any issues. I use fritz turbstart 900.
Bleach the tank. Air dry for 24 hrs rinse and reset. Fill up the tank and use 2 to 3 times the amount recommended and release fish.
Algae is normal phase of every tank cycle that likely can't be avoided.

 

[NancyFish]

That should keep you busy for a while Good starting list. Can I ask, what API salt would you be using? They make a salt for fresh water as far as I know

sorry I meant their salt water and reef test. It’s like two different test kits. The salt I think we have the purple ocean instant. I’m thinking the rest could be added down the line, but honestly want to stop researching for awhile because I keep adding to the list lol

 

[NancyFish]

I would get the wave maker before you add any corals, and maybe spring for a better test kit than the API kit if you can. The API will work fine for cycling the tank though.

Are the other test kits similar in function just more reliable? We have the Hanna for copper, definitely a price difference.

Do you think one wave maker would be good enough? I saw the prices on those all over the place too so I haven’t researched them yet

 

[xDMike]

Are the other test kits similar in function just more reliable? We have the Hanna for copper, definitely a price difference.

Do you think one wave maker would be good enough? I saw the prices on those all over the place too so I haven’t researched them yet

The other test kits usually give better/more consistent results, but the API ammonia and nitrite kits work great for cycling.
For the wave maker one could be enough depending on what type you buy and what corals you plan on keeping.

 

[liddojunior]

I think if you wanted to be easier and on budget. Go for AIO aquarium.

And start off with buying water from your LFS

Sure it’s cheaper to make your own RODI and saltwater. You can break up the entire up front cost

You won’t need more than a 50 W heater.

Don’t jump with so many tech gear if it’s your first tank.

Just be keep it simple. Filter floss or sock. And a return pump and heater. Room for a bag of carbon.

And get a wavemaker and a simple light that can be controlled Bluetooth in one app. I think the Ai blade grow and the Nero 5 would be enough.

I would focus on initial priorities to be water testing kits. Use the red sea and salifort kits. And learning how to manage your water chemistry without extra gear before jumping into getting the gear.

 

[EliMelly]

Okay, tell me what I’m still missing on the list for a solid start. Or eases day to day maintenance.

65g tank & stand
2 storm clowns
Live sand & rock & turbo 900
RO/DI & Trash cans & salt
API salt / reef test & Refractometer
Python siphon & pond pump
QT with copper & prazipro
Overflow
Reefmat
Return pump
Heaters
ATO
Sump
Needs media, maybe chaeto?
Assuming I need a wave maker
Unsure about what coral lights
Planning first frags at RAP expo

Live rock will help.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Reliable test kits
quality salt mix
RODI unit and RODI water
Optional - controller
Reliable flow pump(s)
Sufficient lighting
Live rock and sand