Whats your favorite 3 pieces of equipment?

[seagirl]

We have such a variety and selection for our equipment, i was wondering what 3 pieces of equipment you like the best. Now i know we all need lights, so i won't count them, but what else do you like? My 3 are-

1. Neptune AC Jr, -great way to automate everything i need, and keeps tank more stable than i could do by myself

2. Oceanus ATO. - Boy did i get tired of carrying buckets everyday. Now the level in the sump is always the same and i have failsafes if water goes too high or too low, great piece of mind for me.

3. Sump/Fuge- i guess i'll count it as equipment. too many benifits to name(i'm sure you know them all anyways)

[DeltecRules]

2 x Tunze 6000 Streams with 2 x single controllers

Deltec AP600 Protein Skimmer

Sander 50 mg Ozone Generator

:rollface:

[millepora]

Flow

Calcium reactor

Skimmer

[aninjaatemyshoe]

1. ACJr - so many possibilities...
2. Automated Light Mover
3. My newly modded AE recirc 135 skimmer with OR 2700 (mostly because it is my first successful skimmer mod)

[kodyboy]

tunze 9010 skimmer
aquactinics T5 x 5 39 watt light fixture
wavysea unit
MJ mod 1200
aerofoamer 630 skimmer

[seagirl]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10187877#post10187877 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aninjaatemyshoe
1. ACJr - so many possibilities...
2. Automated Light Mover
3. My newly modded AE recirc 135 skimmer with OR 2700 (mostly because it is my first successful skimmer mod)

is the light mover a diy?

[aninjaatemyshoe]

No, it is a unit used in hydroponics: http://www.lightrail3.com/

[Justin James]

Euro Reef RS 250 skimmer

Hydor Koralia #4 powerheads

I know you said not to count lights but I love my Luminarc lll mini stealth DE pendents. They are like no other.

[Jim_S]

My Euro-Reef RC180

Tunze TS24 set

Ranco dual stage.....

[Musho3210]

Tank
Stand
Reef Crystals Salt

[mr.maroonsalty]

The one's that give me the most enjoyment though they are really accessories are 1.magnifying glass 2.flashlight 3. occasionally my camera

[Andrew]

1) Tunze 6060
2) Tunze 6045
3) Tunze 6025

:D I don't really have much equipment yet since I'm the stage of switching over to a different tank and only have one fish.

[old salty]

Mag Float glass cleaner (I get instant results when I use it.)

Light timers - If I had to plug and unplug the lights every day, I'd go bananas.

Thermometer - tells me what I need to know, no moving parts, no power consumed, really easy to clean, about $3 to replace if need be.

[seagirl]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10188923#post10188923 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mr.maroonsalty
The one's that give me the most enjoyment though they are really accessories are 1.magnifying glass 2.flashlight 3. occasionally my camera
that's an interesting answer. i have never tried a magnifying glass, but i will now:D

[KEstep]

Reefkeeper 2
Vortechs
Lumenarc Reflectors

[dmack]

AC Jr
Tunze Osmolator
moded octopus nw200 skimmer

[luke33]

Koralia #4
Skimmers
IC T5's

[jmait769]

Tunze Osmolator :thumbsup:
AC Jr :thumbsup:
ReefTek Kalk Stirrer :thumbsup:

In that order!

[lilchris]

jmait769- How do you like the ReefTek Kalk Stirrer? I am in the market for one and the ReefTek is in my top 3 to buy. Some feedback will be helpful.

[hahnmeister]

Tunze TS24 kit (2x6100's w/ shrouds from 6200s for wider flow, and a multi controller).

Light Mover (Gualala Robotics Light Rail 3.5)

Deltec Calcium Reactor

[EBOLII]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10187877#post10187877 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aninjaatemyshoe

2. Automated Light Mover


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10190680#post10190680 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
Light Mover (Gualala Robotics Light Rail 3.5)


I read about it and like the idea. Can you post some images of your setup as reference?

[hahnmeister]

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k278/wetworx101/lightmover3.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k278/wetworx101/lightmover2.jpg
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k278/wetworx101/lightmover1.jpg

[hahnmeister]

Its still being set up... but its going to allow me to light my 120XL with a single halide, rather than the 'usual' two. Its dead silent, and goes through a complete cycle every 4 minutes (1 minute to travel, 1 minute delay at each end). To fill in the dead spots, as well as suppliment the main halide, I will use a few rows of T5 bulbs. That way, the whole tank will be lit for viewing... the halide will simply provide 'peak amounts'. Its a very natural solution... others that use these are very pleased. Im just geeked that w/o the fixed light source(s), the coverage of corals will be great. It also allows me to run the pendant about 2" away from the water surface, as the normal spread that you try to get from raising the pendant isnt needed... the mover provides it for you.

[aninjaatemyshoe]

Yep, I have my light mover for the same reasons, but on a bit shorter tank. They are a nice answer to alot of the problems with metal halides. Also, it is believed that a "pulsed" light source allows the corals to eliminate toxic free-radicals that build up during photosynthesis. In nature, this would be provided for by intermittent cloud cover.

[EBOLII]

I agree…..what an incredible concept! Perhaps one of the most impressive I have come across yet. Thank you for sharing I am always ready to collect modern technology being used in a innovative way. Fantastic

Any other ideas?

[sjm817]

Lets see...

CPR overflow
Remora Pro skimmer
SCWD

What I like best about them is I no longer own them!

[kodyboy]

sjm funny:)

[miwoodar]

DIY Euroreef RC135
DIY Maxi-Streams
DIY Swirler-Steins

[messina06]

those that have the reefkeeper II. I am thinking about purchasing one. Are they easy to install?

[seagirl]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10193715#post10193715 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
Lets see...

CPR overflow
Remora Pro skimmer
SCWD

What I like best about them is I no longer own them!
lol

[djohnston]

My water changing system, skimmer, and closed loop manifold.

[imtheonlylp]

i was thinking of this last night as i was playing with my setup, tinkering w/my skimmer and such....the best investment i have made since i started this hobby was the American DJ switch panel that i mounted in my cabinet; everything plugs in the back of it, the switches are lighted, super-easy to label with a label machine, and no more plug-in, unplug methods!! makes water changes, maintenance a breeze!!
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/31JRQ6B4KRL._SS500_.jpg

[geoxman]

float valve
sump fuge
10 inch fan from Walmart

[aninjaatemyshoe]

I just purchased what I think might make my top 3 mainly because I think I got one hell of a deal on it:

2MD Iwaki-20RLT (Japanese Motor)- basically a double sided Iwaki-20RLT, two inlets/outlets w/ twice the flow and pressure. Purchased for under half the cost of a regular Iwaki-20RLT.

[GSMguy]

tunze osmolator
Tunze nano stream
Neptune Ac jr

[EBOLII]

imtheonlylp I also like those

[ssbreef]

Skimmer
CA Reactor
Sea-swirls

[DeltecRules]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10187812#post10187812 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DeltecRules
2 x Tunze 6000 Streams with 2 x single controllers

Deltec AP600 Protein Skimmer

Sander 50 mg Ozone Generator

:rollface:

LOL Hopefully my 4th favorite piece of equipment will be the ATI powermodules when they finally come out!!:D

[slovan]

In no particular order, I like them all.

Spectrapure Liter Meter III
Deltec KM500 Kalkstirrer
Neptune Systems AquaController III

[ordy1]

Bosch Table Saw: Allowed me to build this hood:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p288/ordy_03/DSC01829.jpg

K2R Calcium reactor knock off that I got from ebay for fifty smackers:

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p288/ordy_03/DSC01857.jpg

AC JR. (Have it connected to an old laptop we had laying around.)

Ordy

[Doubledown]

My GEO products (Ca and Kalk Rxs) - customer service is excellent
New Euro Reef skimmers - customer service is excellent
My Dell computer - I've gathered a great deal of reef keeping knowledge right here from you guys.

A close 4th is the nice soft couch I bought so I am atleast comfortable sleeping on it after I tell the fiance that I brought home "just one more coral".

[EBOLII]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10193847#post10193847 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by miwoodar
DIY Euroreef RC135
DIY Maxi-Streams
DIY Swirler-Steins


mmmm can we see pictures?

[imtheonlylp]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10196269#post10196269 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ebolii
imtheonlylp I also like those
i know right? man this thing makes life SOOOO easy...and it mounted PERFECTLY in the cabinet under my tank...easily hidden, easily accessible..and no more wires going everywhere! lol

oh btw, i need to add one more thing of my favorite purchase:
my 75g tank and cabinet for $75
the ro/di unit i bought off ebay for like $100...had it for nearly 3 yrs now with NO problem whatsoever!! still puts out like a champ!!

[aninjaatemyshoe]

My 3 worst things I ever bought list:

1. My SeaClone Clone skimmer - basically an aerator for my tank because I'll be damned if it ever produced as much skimmate in a month as I can get in a day with my current skimmer.

2. Coralife 18W PC fixture - actually burned my finger touching it after it was on for a half hour, could fry an egg on it.

3. Rio return pump - works if you don't mind adding an extra 10 degrees of temperature to your tank.

[hahnmeister]

I second that... 3 worst things I ever bought:
1. JBJ PC light fixtures
2. Coralife PC light fixtures
3. MagDrive 12 and 18

[lilchris]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10201219#post10201219 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
I second that... 3 worst things I ever bought:
1. JBJ PC light fixtures
2. Coralife PC light fixtures
3. MagDrive 12 and 18

Why don't you like the Mag drive pumps?

[aninjaatemyshoe]

Mag pumps aren't the best in terms of efficiency and lifespan. Also, you have to really increase the plumbing size from the outlet to avoid loosing pressure over just a couple of feet. For instance, my Mag 9.5 has a 3/4" outlet and needs at least 1.25" plumbing to get good flow.

[dirtyclownfish]

1. My Acura 1000 heater - Very precise thermostat
2. My Pro Clear Aquatics Systems sump- Quality piece of equipment
3. My Current USA Gamma UV sterilizer- Maintains crystal clear water

[pjf]

• Miller & Weber TM-9301 PerformaTherm non-mercury glass thermometer (http://www.hmalabsupply.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=271&category_id=c4010d0af4879b637fb5a209933a4e58&option=com_phpshop&Itemid=1)
• Medusa HC-150 Dual Stage Temperature Controller (http://www.sealifesupply.com/medusa.htm)
• Hach PO-19 Phosphorus Test Kit (http://www.hach.com/hc/search.product.details.invoker/PackagingCode=224800/NewLinkLabel=Phosphorus%2C+Orthophosphate+%28reactive%29+Test+Kit%2C+Model+PO-19%2C+Color+Disc%2C+100+tests/PREVIOUS_BREADCRUMB_ID=HC_SEARCH_KEYWORD/SESSIONID%7CAzRPVE01T0RRNE1DWm5kV1Z6ZEVwSFZrWlZNVEU0TWc9PUNUaw==%7C)

[hahnmeister]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10203537#post10203537 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lilchris
Why don't you like the Mag drive pumps?

Loud, Hot, and for some reason they always break on me or need new impellers every year. I have the body from a 1200, 1800, and one other in the basement that are dead. I had to buy impellers for them every year (shattered impeller blades kept happening on one, and the other just kept breaking). Its the oddest thing. I would keep replacing the impeller, and it would still be noisy and break again soon. And two of these were running in a freshwater pond skimmer box! I could hear them buzzing under 2' of water in a pond!

Then I bought an Oase and a Laguna and was done with it.

And, for a reef, I have an eheim 1050 thats been in service for 15 years+ straight. A year ago, it finally wore through its ceramic shaft... so I bought just a shaft, and its up and away again, silent as ever.

Sure, the eheims are more expensive... but their longevity, efficiency, and silence are well worth it. As a second for submergable pumps, I would have to say Oceanrunners. As a third, and I would make them a #1 if it wasnt for the fact they are pond pumps and dont have threaded inlet/outlets, the new generation of Hagen Laguna MAx-FLow or Power-Jet pumps is tops as well. I have never had a pump that can do 3000gph be so silent, cool, or low wattage... must be why Red Dragons are based on them.

As far as external, its ReefFlo, Velocity, and Pan World that I only use.

[foshizzle]

1)Modded Kangaroo dosing pump
2)MJ Mods
3)Lumenarc mini

[mr.maroonsalty]

Thanks to everyone here (and a limited budget) I've steared clear of bad equiptment :love1: less one, my Icecap case fan, not only expensive, but it lasted less than two years, even if the panaflos I have now need replacing they're near 1/4 the cost and don't sound like a plane throttling up.

[trueperc]

Didn't want ot high jack this thread, so I started another. I think this light rail idea is amazing.
People who have them are or are interested, please check out this thread

Thread link (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1151593)

[miwoodar]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10198914#post10198914 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ebolii
mmmm can we see pictures?

Sorry - I have a really bad photo record. Everything I did has been documented in other threads though.

MJ Mods - check out the MJ Mods thread that has a bazillion responses. I made mine out of PVC pipe, Octura props and the old style impeller over a year ago and have been very pleased. Of course you can buy premade units now. If you make them it is roughly $30 for the first and ~$5 for the second due to leftover materials.

Swirler-Stein - Another easy to find thread. It ocillates the MJ mods roughly 90 degrees 3 times a minute. ~$30 each.

RC 135 knockoff - Thread titled 'halp me with my DIY skimmer' or something along those lines. A search for 'halp' will bring it up in a jiffy. I made the cone out of acrylic using the oven (much easier to do than I thought it would be). I put the sheet in the oven at ~400 on a piece of foil. After it was soft I pulled it out then pushed down with the neck while supporting the outside of the funnel shape with the body of the skimmer. The pump is a Sedra 5000 (which I now know is slight overkill) and the collection cup was made from leftover acrylic. The body is 14.5" of 6" acrylic tube while the neck is ~8" of 3" acrylic tube. $175.