What is the best equipment purchase you have made?

[jimsflies]

What is your best/favorite piece of equipment you have purchased for your reef and why?


For me I think it is the Tunze Osmolator. I purchased it 6 years ago...does it's job perfectly and has had very few issues...the one's its had (pump replacement, and plastic clip on the emergency float switch) were easily replaced.

[demonclownfish]

seasquirt feeder. super easy to use, extendable, feeder point at the end for large things like krill/silversides/squid for lionfish and such. is measured on the side so you know how much your adding. best feeder ever!

[medwards]

For me it was my aquaticlife 48" 4bulb t5 fixture. Ive had it a year, and love it. One cord, built in timer, doesnt get any easier than that.

[Manoj's Reef]

I would say my RKL .

[Crow]

http://akamai.f3images.com/IMD/600/ES00877/ES00877_1.jpg
Item: Coralife Deep Six Hydrometer!
Reason: it tells me what my salinity is at!

[schminksbro]

GEO 618 Calcium Reactor.

[Mike]

Vertex Alpha 300 skimmer - it is a beast!

[Bella127]

What is your best/favorite piece of equipment you have purchased for your reef and why?


For me I think it is the Tunze Osmolator. I purchased it 6 years ago...does it's job perfectly and has had very few issues...the one's its had (pump replacement, and plastic clip on the emergency float switch) were easily replaced.

Well here is my list since I can't come up with just ONE
1. Tunze osmolator (auto top off/ ease of use and quality of product. Double sensor is very nice
2.MP40wES upgrade/ It is just super bada$$. My clowns are now dancing
3.Bubble King skimmer (mini 160)/ Steady , no issues, red dragon pump ,easy to dial in, quality product.
4.Milwaukee refractometer ATC / must have for any reefer
5. Reefkeeper lite level 3 / Set it and forget it
6. Inland band saw purchased from www.reefsolutions4u.com , a sponsor here on CR. It makes fragging a breeze.

[rmalone]

Bar none its my ATB medium cone skimmer. I bought it used from Stunreefer and it works perfect, I would say the same for the ATB flowstar return pump . MP40/10 pumps are my second place pick and perhaps the RKL a distant third place.

[youngtimothy]

reef keeper lite with my doseing pumps for alk and cal, and my ATO! not sure why I didnt get them sooner!!

[Rabidgoose]

Toss up between the Tunze Osmolator and the Typhoon III RO/DI

[handlevandal]

You folks are way more sophisticated at reefing than I am. The first thing I thought of was the Python hose and attachments that I use for water changes. Cost me about $25 four or five years ago and every time I use it I remember what hauling the buckets was like and how much easier it is since I bought the Python.

[MUCHO REEF]

What is your best/favorite piece of equipment you have purchased for your reef and why?


For me I think it is the Tunze Osmolator. I purchased it 6 years ago...does it's job perfectly and has had very few issues...the one's its had (pump replacement, and plastic clip on the emergency float switch) were easily replaced.

Sorry to be so corny, but my Phoenix 250 watt 14 k's along with my supplements are awesome. I don't have any automation to speak of so the bulbs are my favorites.

Mucho Reef

[softiegirl]

+1 mucho! the only new "gear" i've bought this yr are my 14 k phoenix bulbs.... love em!!!

[Sir Patrick]

I have to say my refractometer too!

I now know exactly what my salinity is- no dobt about it!!

I sure do love my blue glow frag rack though!!!

[jimsflies]

There is no requirement for a fancy answer on this thread...simple equipment is fine.

I was torn between the osmolator and turkey baster being the best purchased equipment. I'm still using the original turkey baster I bought 8 years ago for feeding, removing detritus, dips, etc.

[MUCHO REEF]

It's funny, I use my TB all the time as well, even in my fug for removing DT.

[jimsflies]

TB works good for sucking up nudis as well ...not that I ever have that problem. ;)

[taziam10797]

Tunzie wave maker. I love the motion it gives the tank.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Tough choice - Lots of things I'd hate to do without. While I love my LEDs, Vortechs and Dosing/ATO pumps, If I had to choose only one - It would have to be the Apex.

It not only makes maintaining and monitoring my tanks much simpler (including not have to worry about whats going on when traveling), but also allows me to create a more stable environment for my livestock.

That said - don't try and take away my turkey baster either ;)

[RedfordReefer]

I'd have to say that the most essential/best equipment I've purchased is my tank.
Without it, my fish would just fall to the ground, and my water would ruin my carpet.

:D

Seriously though, I don't know what is the best. I really run a stripped down tank. No real extra equipment. Skimmer is real nice, I am loving it.

[handlevandal]

My turkey baster(s) got a workout a couple of weeks ago when I was removing red slime for days on end, and they're holdovers from the freshwater days.

[Myteemouse]

1: RKL (temp control makes me sleep easy..
2: SWC 250 Skimmer is bad a$%
3: 2x Pc 100 DJ strips These things make water changes and maintenance soooo much easier, I don't have to chase wires to unplug stuff
4: Lumenbright reflectors well they are sweet and throw light to the point I have to put my encrusting monti's on the bottom of the tank 20" deep so they wont get "BURNT"

[BriGuy31+]

I would have to say my Tunze Osmolator as well. Manual top offs twice a day stink, and I'm happy not to that anymore.

[Bella127]

Anyone got any pics of their magical turkey basters. I bought the super long and skinny one for spot feeding but the inlet is way too small for certain foods. I may have to go to the dollar store and pick one up.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Anyone got any pics of their magical turkey basters. I bought the super long and skinny one for spot feeding but the inlet is way too small for certain foods. I may have to go to the dollar store and pick one up.

I probably have the same (Kent Sea Squirt (http://www.aquacave.com/seasquirt-feeding-tubebr-by-kent-marine-1006.html).) I used a Dremel to remove the tip, enlarging the opening - Works well now :)

[stevo4535]

Vortech MP10 with battery back up

The flexibility that that pump gives me is just awesome. I look back to the days when I was using Maxijets and they just seem so archaic.

[jimsflies]

Anyone got any pics of their magical turkey basters. I bought the super long and skinny one for spot feeding but the inlet is way too small for certain foods. I may have to go to the dollar store and pick one up.

If I recall, mine came from Meijers from the cooking utensil aisle. ~$2.00 LOL

[fawkes]

My Reefkeeper lite is the most functional - especially in this variable weather.

My protein Skimmer is probably the most necessary.

I could get by without my refractometer, but I wouldn't want to.

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I just know I just know, before this is over, I'm gonna need a whole lot of serious therapy! Look at my eye twitching.