Reef help: What are items that make the hobby that much easier?

[Peace River]

Reef help: What are items that make the hobby that much easier?

Patience is a virtue in reefing (and other parts of life) and taking your time and not taking shortcuts is important, however sometimes there are things that we can do to make life easier without compromising our care for our reef. Whether it is by moving water using pumps instead of buckets; topping off the tank with an ATO, using an auto-water change system (AWC), or controlling light schedules, variable pump schedules, and more with an automated control system, there are many items that make the hobby a little easier. Is there any unique or unusual reef aid that you use? Please tell us about the ways that you get help with your reefing.

Photo by @Pezking182

Today’s question of the day (QOTD) idea and poll submitted by @John Bolden. If you have an idea for a future QOTD please send a PM to @Peace River.

 

[AydenLincoln]

All of the above!

 

[Mschmidt]

outside those listed, this has greatly aided my lps feeding game. I have the one-inch diameter.

Thinwall Rigid Tubing - .187 in. x 36 in.

This is a clear, rigid PVC tubing with thin walls that is used as a replacement uplift tube for undergravel filters, or to fabricate custom set-ups for aquariums and pools.

www.thatpetplace.com

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Honestly, all of them make the hobby easier!!

 

[doubleshot00]

Its the simple things for me that help me the most.

Hose tube holder for a bucket for a WC.
Cafeteria tray for fragging and moving corals around.
Turkey basters for blasting rocks, feeding fish and corals.

 

[EricR]

Personal opinion -- in order:
1. ATO by far -- I'd argue that top off is the only thing that you really just shouldn't flat out IGNORE for a few days. (Nice to not have to have someone deal with while on vacation)
2. Digital testers just 'cause I'm color-blind -- otherwise wouldn't rate so high to me.
3. Light schedules -- took this to mean at least some way to have lights come on/off by themselves.

 

[DannoOMG]

Well since people are talking up ATO's. I have a 25 gallon NUVO and for some reason I am struggling with keeping my salinity in check even though I put water in the AM and the PM.

Could someone recommend me a safe ATO that won't flood my tank as long as I clean the sensor weekly?

 

[rtparty]

Well since people are talking up ATO's. I have a 25 gallon NUVO and for some reason I am struggling with keeping my salinity in check even though I put water in the AM and the PM.

Could someone recommend me a safe ATO that won't flood my tank as long as I clean the sensor weekly?

Tunze 3155 is the best ATO on market

 

[cpschult]

Tunze 3155 is the best ATO on market

I use a tunze on my innovative marine 25. I literally never clean it

 

[DannoOMG]

Thanks. I ordered it and a reservoir. I think the lack of ATO is making my skimmer not able to skim properly. Cup keeps filling up with water too quickly.

But the salinity is the big thing. I keep hanging around 1.027-28 by the end of the week. I've had a enough of that.

 

[Buckster]

Having my ATO is great especially having a 180. I have a 5 gallon bucket that I have to refill at least once a week at times.

 

[Paul B]

Couldn't be in the hobby without some of these. These and my diatom filter.

 

[DannoOMG]

There. I switched the little dial to nano and it seems to be running. Hope my salinity will stay where I want it to and my skimmer will skim properly