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What`s your favorite reef gear?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by AJ, Nov 6, 2011.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Nov 6, 2011 #1
    AJ

    AJ Inactive User

    5,011
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    So everyone has different stuff running on their reef tank.  I'm interested to hear which pieces of reef gear are the ones that are you favorite.  Maybe it's just because you think it's cool, maybe it saves you a lot of time or gives you peace of mind.  Whatever the case, list your favorites.  Maybe your top 5 or so. I'll start
    [list type=decimal][*]Apex Aquacontroller - The brains behind my reef tank.  Without this, I couldn't do many of the things that I currently have my tank set up to do including different powerhead speeds at different times of days, alerts to my e-mail and smartphone, automatic response to pre-set conditions that could otherwise have detrimental effects (i.e. turn off lights if too water too hot, turn off skimmer if return pump is off, etc)  and basic tank parameters and control capabilities to my smartphone.[*]Vortech MP40s - Provide great flow with small in-tank footprint and lots of control options.  I also believe that they are better for coral growth and keep my tank inhabitants happier.  Integrated with the Apex WXM module to provide different types of flow at different times of day (i.e. less turbulent at night and more during the day, periods of full power to stir up detritus for export to sump, etc)
    [*]Avast Marine Skimmate locker with pressure switch - My skimmer drains into this skimmate locker and the pressure switch is hooked up to my Apex to tell me when it's full of skimmate, and turns off my skimmer to make sure that it doesn't produce any more.[*]Avast Marine Swabbie - Cuts down on my skimmer cleaning maintenance by using a squeegee to clean the skimmer neck 4 times a day.  With this, I only need to clean my skimmer about once every couple of months and I still maintain good skimmer performance.  On/off controlled by my Apex.[*]Calcium Reactor - Provides excellent stability in my calcium, alkalinity and magnesium levels with little maintenance.  I used to does 2-part, but I've found the calcium reactor to be less work and provide more stability.  CO2 on/off controlled by my Apex.[*]Easy Blade - The best thing that I've found for cleaning your tank glass[*]Phosphate and Alkalinity Hanna photometers - Accurate and easy (but I've heard the calcium tests are not that great yet...playing wait and see on that one).  Initial cost is a little more than other test kits, but reagents are about the same cost as other test kits.  The payback is really on the accuracy and time saved over other testing methods
    [*]LevelLoc Auto-Top off - Think about what a pain in the butt it would be if you didn't have an auto-top off...and I really love the fail-safes that the Level Loc has built into its design.  Too bad they are no longer made.  :-([*]Eheim Auto-feeders - I use these to feed both flake and pellet food every day.  If I miss a day feeding frozen, it's not a big deal since I know my tank is still getting fed.  The Eheim auto-feeders and easy to set up and reliable (don't get clogged) and reduce the amount of time I have to spend feeding my tank.
    [/list type=decimal]OK...so that's a few more than 5...guess I got carried away.  There are a few things that may have made my list, but I don't have them.  LED, Auto-water change system, and probably some other cool things that I don't even know about...but that's my list. 
    What's your list and why is each item so important to you?
    --AJ
     
  2. Nov 6, 2011 #2
    iaJim

    iaJim Inactive User

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    The Litermeter III I use for top off. You just never have to think about it. I have two satellite units for dosing 2 part that may soon become auto water changing pumps.
     
  3. Nov 6, 2011 #3
    Andy The Reef Guy

    Andy The Reef Guy Inactive User

    2,581
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    ALL of my Reef Octopus stuff (SKimmer/biopellet rxr/ca rxr)
    MP40's and 20's
    Tek Light T5 fixture on my frag tank!
     
  4. Nov 6, 2011 #4
    einsteins

    einsteins Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,162
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    Tunze powerheads... Simply the best in every way.

    Warner marine external skimmer

    Vertex controller (best controller concept, but if they deliver as advertised)

    My homemade water control panel

    Einsteins
     
  5. Nov 6, 2011 #5
    mthomp

    mthomp Inactive User

    3,985
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    not really a gadget but the best things I have for my reef is my LFS and club
     
  6. Nov 6, 2011 #6
    Foo

    Foo Well-Known ReefKeeper

    524
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    Litermeter III is my top. 5+ years running strong
    Vortech MP40-flow baby
    Algae Free Hammerhead Float - also 5+ years old and works like new still after a few pad replacements
    Two-Little Fishies Magnet seaweed clip- never falls
    Reefkeeper Lite- simple for my basic needs for lights and temp

    All have help me relax a bit more.
     
  7. Nov 6, 2011 #7
    Sponge Marshalltown, IA

    Sponge Expert Reefkeeper Vendor

    3,347
    Marshalltown, IA
    Ratings:
    +233 / 1 / -0
    MP 40's W ES- flow, settings, footprint, customer service
    LifeReef Skimmer- skimmate, reliability, easy empty and minimal maintenance, customer service
    Mag drive pumps- reliability, only 1 moving part
    Tunze 3155 ATO- reliability, set it & forget it basically
    Majano Wand- reliable, no more majanos and aiptasia
     
  8. Nov 6, 2011 #8
    iaJim

    iaJim Inactive User

    775
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    I should add that I love my Tunze equipment largely because Roger Vitko offers the best support in the world. I have four 6055 power heads, a Silent return pump, a Tunze skimmer, and a Tunze pump running my bio-pellet reactor. All work great!

    Also love my AI LED lighting.

    I just ordered a Majano Wand. I'm hoping it works on Anthelia.
     
  9. Nov 6, 2011 #9
    Troy

    Troy Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,025
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    AI LED light- Love the thunderstorm mode at night with every other light out, but now trying to figure out a way to get the noise to go with the flash of light
    CPR Nano reactor- For bio pellets
    MP10
    AC3
    JBJ ATO

    Also would like to say that since MACNA when I got my LED light all my corals wheather it be LPS,SPS, or softies is extending farther and a 100% color improvement.
    I am very happy right now.
     
  10. Nov 7, 2011 #10
    Nemesis

    Nemesis Well-Known ReefKeeper

    471
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    AI nano - small powerful and uses only 35 watts(big plus on the power bill.
    ACIII- Keeps everything running right
    ATO- saves me a ton of time and maintenance
    Aeroforce cpr skimmer- This thing skims like a monster on my tank.
    Mp10-This is the best thing for any aquarium. The different programs are great.

    All this for a tank thats only 7.5 gallons in display but with the 5 gallon sump and aeroforce puts volume at 13.5-14 gallons.
     
  11. Nov 7, 2011 #11
    AJ

    AJ Inactive User

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    Bill,
    So the Vertex controller released now or still waiting in anxious anticipation after seeing it at MACNA?  It looked really cook and certainly looked to take things up to the next level.  Could you tell us more about your water control panel...what does it do?
    --AJ
     
  12. Nov 7, 2011 #12
    AJ

    AJ Inactive User

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    Do you use your Litermeter for ATO or Auto water changes?  Either way, I've heard nothing but positive things about them.  And the Algae Free scrapers are the best!
    --AJ
     
  13. Nov 7, 2011 #13
    Foo

    Foo Well-Known ReefKeeper

    524
    Ratings:
    +4 / 0 / -0
    Just for ATO. (kalk)
     
  14. Nov 7, 2011 #14
    NeonBender

    NeonBender

    94
    Ratings:
    +4 / 0 / -0
    My piano bench, because I can sit on it two feet from my tank and watch, and watch, and watch.

     
  15. Nov 7, 2011 #15
    JB Marion

    JB Veteran Reefkeeper

    5,146
    Marion
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0
    Apex
    DIY LED's
    ATO
    Reliable Pumps (whatever the brand)
     
  16. Nov 7, 2011 #16
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

    8,015
    La Porte City, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,014 / 6 / -0
    refractometer
     
  17. Nov 7, 2011 #17
    einsteins

    einsteins Experienced Reefkeeper

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    i am still waiting....Vertex is saying release after the first of the year. i have decided to wait for it and spend the time preping all the other equipment.I have managed to get myself #1 on the list for one as soon as they  are available.
    as for the water panel.....it automates all aspects of my ro/di water and where it goes.I will take a pic for you and post it in a few minutes.
     
  18. Nov 7, 2011 #18
    einsteins

    einsteins Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,162
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    Here is my water control panel
    It uses selenoids to control all aspects of distributing ro/di water wherever and whenever you need it




    Built it back when i used kalwasser but dont use that any longer.




    i added indicator lights so i know when a selenoid id activated.
    Thanks for looking
    eins









    [​IMG]
     
  19. Nov 7, 2011 #19
    B-Rad

    B-Rad Inactive User

    999
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    +0 / 0 / -0
    1. Reefkeeper Elite, controls my lights, skimmer (via skimmate catch tank), PH (via stirr plate and kalk dose pump), cooling fan, and soon to control my auto feed system.
    2. Custom built Modular Skimmer.
    3. Custom built ATO.
    4. 6 Stage RO/DI.
    5. MP40's.
    6. Portal, I love looking at my tank with it!
    7. Soon my custom LED system.
     
  20. Nov 8, 2011 #20
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

    6,044
    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
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    what controls the solenoids? Just float switches? Or are those something you have hooked to a controller somehow?
     
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