What is the single best purchase you have made in Reefing?

[Snoopy 67]

2 used Tunze 6100 pumps bought too many years ago - still running.
Then a Litremeter used for top off many moons ago.

 

[Bato367]

I have a refractometer and two different swing arm hydrometers . The second one just came in the mail to see if it lined up with either two. All read differently with the same tank. I have to calibrate my refractometer almost every use. I don't know what to trust anymore. HAHAHA

I'll trust my NIST certified Hanna over my cheap amazon refractometer any day.

 

[Bato367]

To answer your original question, for me its my powerbar. My tank set up is very low tech and beginner compared to others but this powerbar makes switching things off and on a dream. View attachment 2554917

I want to get one of these as well. Pulling plugs and then remembering to plug it back in is a pain.

 

[Bato367]

@revhtree Should this thread be in the 'Reef Chemistry' forum? It might get more exposure elsewhere.

Ya, I put here because my original post was dealing with salinity but now, you're probably right. Better off somewhere else.

 

[Screwgunner]

I would have to say my 110 pounds of liverock.

 

[atoll]

Possibly myTurbo Aquatics waterfall ATS.But for VFM my Oxydator.

 

[rmorris_14]

I'll trust my NIST certified Hanna over my cheap amazon refractometer any day.

I think I will have trust issue no matter what.... I guess thats more about me though HAHAHA

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

masterflex pumps.. i sold off 6 that i have had in use for over 10 years and made over $10K, most aquarim gear depreciateds.

 

[rtparty]

The ring on my wife's finger...I get to buy a lot of stuff because of those brownie points!

HAHA I am just playing around but seriously....

Going back to halides is definitely up there. It made me really enjoy the hobby and stop chasing the LED holy grail that doesn't exist.

 

[Surskit]

There's a lot of equipment that has been useful, like splashing out and getting a nicer heater rather than just buying a cheap one, but I think the number one best thing is a conch snail. Having only 20 gallons it does a very, very sizeable job at cleaning the sandbed just about every day, plus it's just one of my favorite little critters to watch move around.

 

[Dakota_reef]

By far, for me, its' my Apex Controller. While it's expensive (what in this hobby isn't) I've never felt more comfortable about my tank. Being able to control outlets with water level sensors, float switches, etc. And I will instantly know if something is off (PH, temp, salinity, etc).

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

After doing this hobby over thirty years, Hands down my tunze ATO. First fifteen I did it by hand.

 

[The_Skrimp]

a simple Kamoer X1 doser and All For Reef. My parameters have never been so stable. Things are really coloring up and looking happy.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Furniture grade fish tank stands and hoods.
Back in the day I had a carpenter from CL come and re do my stands and hoods. Wow what a difference.
Nice to not have light spill and have your tanks look how you want.
D

 

[mdb_talon]

was STILL only at 1.020! I calibrated the Hanna twice with the cal fluid and verified it! After cal it read the calibration fluid at 35 ppt. Spot on.

So, lesson learned, I cannot trust those refractometers.

The Hannah Salinity checker is the single best pu

What convinces you that the calibrated hannah is more accurate than the calibrated refractometer?

 

[MillennialReefer]

I would say the Tunze 6040 Nano. I set it on the wave mode and now my tank has almost a natural wave going on. IMO this replaced the need for multiple powerheads in the tank. Although I still have a small 550 gph powerhead. But I used to have a total of 4 powerheads.

 

[Doctorgori]

Kessil 350 & 360 still going strong

 

[Bato367]

What convinces you that the calibrated hannah is more accurate than the calibrated refractometer?

It closer matches how much salt is added to give 35ppt. For mix to read 35ppt with the refractometer I would use several less cups of salt which didn’t match mixing directions.

Since adjusting salinity, all critters look much better.

 

[JGT]

This will sound very simplistic but for me 18” curved tip forceps and 30” Maxspect coral grabber. Can’t tell you how many times these tools have saved me from having to put my hands/arm in the tank to place corals, grab knocked over corals/rocks, stir the sand, grab fireworms/crabs/mantis for removal. Absolutely indispensable.

 

[rmorris_14]

I want to get one of these as well. Pulling plugs and then remembering to plug it back in is a pain.

It makes me feel super high tech lol