I have a JBJ 10 gallon ATO tank, what should I get for it?

[DD Corals]

I recently got a JBJ 10-gallon AIO tank for my birthday and was wondering what I need to buy to start up a reef tank with it. I am looking to buy several things.

Turbo start (since I'm in college and would like to put fish in right away)
Sicce 1.0 pump
Screen mesh lid
API Saltwater Master Kit
Refractometer
Duetto Dual Sensor (autotop off)
Plastic scraper
Ai Prime 16hd Light

Things I don't know what to get
Sand (what type)
Bio blocks/skimmer
Heater
Not sure if I need a powerhead

I am unsure whether I should get a nano skimmer or just get bio blocks to put in the chamber designated for the skimmer.
I also plan to get a new pump because I've read that the pump that comes with it can be a bit noisy.

 

[fishski13]

Just to let you know you probably got the JBJ AIO (all in one) and not the ATO (auto top off)

So even with turbo start you won't be able to add fish in immediately, will still have to wait a little bit.

I would scratch the API test kit and go with something like Aquaforest or Salifert as the API test kits are very unreliable and often given false results the main reason why they are so cheap. You will need and want a better test kit especially for nitrate, phosphate and further alk, calcium, and mag if you want to keep coral.

The return pump should give your enough flow throughout the tank without the need for a wavemaker in a 10 gallon cube.

Sand is most likely going to be personal choice. I would say the easiest one to go with is the special grade caribsea so you dont get it blown around with the flow as it is the thickest grain size. I like the Aquaforest bio sand too but that might be tricky as it is much smaller grain.

For this size 10 a protein skimmer is not really needed. I run a 10 gallon with no skimmer and nutrients levels are fine. Just have to watch feeding and do either weekly or bi weekly water changes depending on parameters.

For a heater I would get an eheim jager with an inkbird controller to give you the extra security with it as heaters are probably the most prone to malfunction in an aquarium

 

[DD Corals]

Just to let you know you probably got the JBJ AIO (all in one) and not the ATO (auto top off)

So even with turbo start you won't be able to add fish in immediately, will still have to wait a little bit.

I would scratch the API test kit and go with something like Aquaforest or Salifert as the API test kits are very unreliable and often given false results the main reason why they are so cheap. You will need and want a better test kit especially for nitrate, phosphate and further alk, calcium, and mag if you want to keep coral.

The return pump should give your enough flow throughout the tank without the need for a wavemaker in a 10 gallon cube.

Sand is most likely going to be personal choice. I would say the easiest one to go with is the special grade caribsea so you dont get it blown around with the flow as it is the thickest grain size. I like the Aquaforest bio sand too but that might be tricky as it is much smaller grain.

For this size 10 a protein skimmer is not really needed. I run a 10 gallon with no skimmer and nutrients levels are fine. Just have to watch feeding and do either weekly or bi weekly water changes depending on parameters.

For a heater I would get an eheim jager with an inkbird controller to give you the extra security with it as heaters are probably the most prone to malfunction in an aquarium

Thanks I will switch the test kits to salifert and get rid of the wavemaker.

 

[Piscans]

I recently got a JBJ 10-gallon AIO tank for my birthday and was wondering what I need to buy to start up a reef tank with it. I am looking to buy several things.

Turbo start (since I'm in college and would like to put fish in right away)
Sicce 1.0 pump
Screen mesh lid
API Saltwater Master Kit
Refractometer
Duetto Dual Sensor (autotop off)
Plastic scraper
Ai Prime 16hd Light

Things I don't know what to get
Sand (what type)
Bio blocks/skimmer
Heater
Not sure if I need a powerhead

I am unsure whether I should get a nano skimmer or just get bio blocks to put in the chamber designated for the skimmer.
I also plan to get a new pump because I've read that the pump that comes with it can be a bit noisy.

my revised version of your list:

turbo start is good
Sicce 1.0 pump (this works)
Screen mesh lid (useful)
API Saltwater Master Kit (this is junk)
Refractometer (yes)
Duetto Dual Sensor (autotop off)
Plastic scraper (just use a credit card)
Ai Prime 16hd Light (more than needed, nicrew hyperreef, aquaknight, & smatfarm are all good options)

Things I don't know what to get
Sand (what type) (20 lb fiji pink)
Bio blocks/skimmer (not needed, bio blocks can be used)
Heater (aqueon 100w preset)
Not sure if I need a powerhead (any small powerhead with a magnet will work.


addition: 5-10 lb gulf live rock, full of critters & biodiversity. w/ a 10 lb order, its unlikley you will get anything that's very bad. live rock will help insta cycle your tank also.