Community Help for New Aquarists: Input Needed!

Quality salt, RO/DI unit. Those two added superior quality to my tank.

Fuge. Mine is packed and slurps up nitrate and phosphate like there's no tomorrow.

 

Close observation of your inhabitants. Refugium, best addition to my tank.

 

It looks like we've got a solid list of things. I've taken the liberty of combining similar items. Below is the first cut at the list. Please take a look and provide any feedback.

In no particular order:

Protein Skimmer
RO/DI Water
1-2 lbs Live Rock/Gallon
Sand Bed
Sump w/ 6-10x Tank Turnover/Hour
Flow Rate in Tank
Patience - No Impulse Buys, Take it Slow
Research and Ask Questions
Auto Top Off
Water Changes
Kalkwasser/Additive Drip
Strong Lighting (Reef Only)
Hydrometer/Refractometer
Quarantine Tank
Liquid Test Kits/Periodic Testing
Refugium
Clean Up Crew (CUC)


Any that I missed?

 

In light of all the horrible issues with heaters lately, I almost think a temperature alarm (relatively a cheaper intervention) would have saved a couple of hobbyist a lot money, frustration and heart ache. Not considered a most, but if I was running a heater I sure would look into it.

Another life saver is battery operated air pump.

 

I know equipment has come a long way and is super important. But I can't stress enough actually UNDERSTANDING "the cycle". specifically the breakdown of ammonia,nitrites, nitrates. how it works and what order.

I don't know if that falls under research or not.

and another is fish and or coral compatibility

 

Working at a mom n pop LFS I feel these are the best ones that have nothing to do with equipment, but really expectations:

Expect to lose some fish and coral in the beginning (it happens to everyone so don't get discouraged)
Clownfish don't need a nem to live
Nems don't need clownfish to live
The cast of Finding Nemo will not coexist in one tank
If disaster strikes, stop, relax, think it out
Salt does not evaporate

I go through those with people on a daily basis. Especially the Nemo stuff and salt not evaporating. You would think it would be common knowledge, but its not.

 

Here is one thing that has not been mentioned. It is not absolutely required to have a successful reef tank. But it will make sure that you do not have an "oh crap" moment.

- Making sure your tank will not overflow in case of power outage.

 

Only mentioned briefly but ill add a

-heater
-thermometer

Also...

-Liquid test kits
-Protein skimmer
-Some kind of flow
-Lights (to an extent. Dont need them during initial cycle IMO. Also just starting your first tank the stock lights would be fine. My opinion is not to jump right into a variety of corals as soon as the cycle is over.
-Research, research, research

 

I added in the missed items so the latest list is:

Protein Skimmer
RO/DI Water
1-2 lbs Live Rock/Gallon
Sand Bed
Sump w/ 6-10x Tank Turnover/Hour
Flow Rate in Tank
Patience - No Impulse Buys, Take it Slow
Research and Ask Questions
Auto Top Off
Water Changes
Kalkwasser/Additive Drip
Strong Lighting (Reef Only)
Hydrometer/Refractometer
Quarantine Tank
Liquid Test Kits/Periodic Testing
Refugium
Clean Up Crew (CUC)
Quality Heater
Grounding Probe
Thermometer
Battery Operated Air Pump (for emergencies)
Validate Aquarium Doesn't Overflow During Power Outage

Any more?

 

Acclimation