What is the most unexpected piece of equipment that made the most significant impact on your tank?

[X-37B]

How much improvement do you think you had with the addition? I'm considering one of three options at this point. My footprint is 48x39x25.

1.) Two 48" Photon V2s,
2.) One Photon and Two Orphek Natura Icons
3.) One Photon flanked with Two 48" T5s.

Currently I have one Photon and one Orphek. The build is next summer.........

I run 2 50's and 3 48" or4 uv/v bars on my 59×30×21.
Each or4 bar is equal to 2 t5's.
2 48" photons and 3 or4's of your choice would work well on your system and provide complete coverage.
Here is a look at mine.

 

[MrGisonni]

How much improvement do you think you had with the addition? I'm considering one of three options at this point. My footprint is 48x39x25.

1.) Two 48" Photon V2s,
2.) One Photon and Two Orphek Natura Icons
3.) One Photon flanked with Two 48" T5s.

Currently I have one Photon and one Orphek. The build is next summer.........

I was happy with my LEDs but wanted a bit more spread, shadow reduction, and a bit of softening. The T5 lighting with the LEDs is my favorite. T5's grow coral and compliment LEDs perfectly. I would recommend an adjustable hybrid setup all day

 

[lefkonj]

Patience..... I am usually not the most patient person but with this hobby you have to be. Don't chase numbers with changes, don't just grab something and throw it in, don't change settings for lights or flow without careful testing and consideration..... Patience.

 

[PharmrJohn]

I was happy with my LEDs but wanted a bit more spread, shadow reduction, and a bit of softening. The T5 lighting with the LEDs is my favorite. T5's grow coral and compliment LEDs perfectly. I would recommend an adjustable hybrid setup all day

What brand of fixture do you use?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Still rocking my 15 years old green turkey baster from a dollar store

I’ve got a red one I use every day!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I took a hiatus from "Salty Water" about 10 years ago so there were many "technological advances" in the industry in that time period. Some pretty dang helpful and some not-so-much.

For me and how I Reef:
The Roller Mat (RedSea 500) was brilliant. It keep the "filter fresh" while also removing the trapped junk from the water column as opposed to it sitting and "stewing" when I get lazy on Filter Sock Day.

WiFi devices (RedSea and GHL) it makes being away from the tank much easier and convenient in so many ways.

Adding "motion detecting LED Strip Lights" inside the cabinet and over the sump was a HUGE game changer. That's my FAV upgrade even though it's not "Reef Tank" specific. It's the same system I have installed in my Gun Safes and definitely a MUST HAVE!

Which led strips are you using?

 

[luis angel]

For me, these power strips are very convenient, you can even turn everything on and off even if you are not at home.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

For me, these power strips are very convenient, you can even turn everything on and off even if you are not at home.

I really need to get some of those! My wife's parents have them in their house and they are so convenient to have

 

[lbacha]

Single channel Pipettor's for testing and dosing. You just dial in the amount and you get repeatable amounts quickly and easily. These are amazing if you use hanna checkers and have made testing so much easier for me.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Single channel Pipettor's for testing and dosing. You just dial in the amount and you get repeatable amounts quickly and easily. These are amazing if you use hanna checkers and have made testing so much easier for me.

That is a smart idea!

 

[goosemans]

I would also say Diatom filters. I have been using them since the 60s and I don't think I would be in this hobby without one. Now I build them because the old Vortex's all corroded.





Those and my reverse undergravel filter that has been on my tank for about 52 years.

What does it do? Apologize if you’ve already answered

 

[Paul B]

It removes everything from the water up to one micron. It's also a strong pump which I use to stir up my gravel and blow detritus out of live rock. Sometimes I use it when I collect NSW as it is full of mud and chopped up seaweed.

 

[Aquariumaddictuk]

Zeolite reactor.
It could be argued you could achieve the ULNS parameters of the zeovit system with any carbon source & GFO, however the ability to send plumes of Bacterioplankton into the system has done wonders for sps & lps growth & PE.

 

[Subsea]

Calcium Reactor: Nature’s Way to Carbon Dose

With soft corals, ornamental seaweeds and diverse filter feeders including sea apples & sponges; the reactor provides bufferring, trace mineral addition and carbon dioxide, which becomes bicarbonate alkalinity that during photosynthesis combines the inorganic with the organic world to produce glucose, which is carbon for the reef.

 

[MrGisonni]

What brand of fixture do you use?

I also had to purchase a GHA Controller to balance and dim the T5s for the impact I wanted. The fixture is top quality, and ATI bulbs are known to be excellent

 

[BigAl07]

Which led strips are you using?

These work GREAT, are easy to install, and very cost effective:

TORCHSTAR LED Safe Lighting Kit, (6) 12 Inch Linkable Light Bars + Motion Sensor + UL Power Adapter, 900LM, Input 100-240V, for Under Cabinet Gun Safe Locker Closet Showcase, 5000K Daylight​

 

[bubbgee]

Avast Kalk Stirrer. I have been struggling with pH issues since I moved to my house being on a busy street in LA County. Finally, I can dial in my Kalk dosing to bring my pH to 8.3-- leading to growth I haven't seen since I restarted a reef tank in 2008.

Neptune Apex and Trident/NP. I know it's polarizing, but having NOT manually test parameters and control all my devices is a dream. Knowing what's going on in my tank allows me to make better decisions to make changes as needed.

 

[bubbgee]

Zeolite reactor.
It could be argued you could achieve the ULNS parameters of the zeovit system with any carbon source & GFO, however the ability to send plumes of Bacterioplankton into the system has done wonders for sps & lps growth & PE.

Which one are you using? I am just using zeolite in a bag in my sump's return chamber currently.

 

[Rshahnyc]

pump, wavemaker and heater for water changes. Easy salt mix, easy temp and the uphill pumping makes doing water changes easy

I bought this clear pipette baster thing that I use to feed my fish

Cabinet lights under the sump

The super expensive clear view lids I bought

Cheap aquamax reactor for my GFO

 

[Kodski]

I really need to get some of those! My wife's parents have them in their house and they are so convenient to have

I wouldn't ever have a tank without them. I love these ones personally. I run two on my tank. Having constant power and controllable outlets is nice, especially with trying to keep wire management clean. Also the app is easy to use and to set schedules/timers in. These are the whole reason I find very little use to spend the money on a controller like the Apex.