Best Purchase Ever!

[railch]

We all spend waaayyyy too much on our reef tanks, so I'm curious - what is your "best" or "favorite" purchase ever (excluding livestock)? Kalk reactor, skimmer, controller, powerhead(s), closed loop, etc?

I've finally gotten my tank where it needs to be and will soon be able to "splurge" on the fun stuff and I thought it would probably help a lot of other people in similar situations.

I suppose my best purchase right now has been a mag 12 to replace a quietone 9000. It is MUCH more quite than the quietone (ironically) and takes up a lot less space in the sump!

[rustybucket145]

Definately a DIY skimmer based on a deltec and euroreef design. Dropped about $100 on parts and pump.... Comparable deltec skimmer is $900....

:D Money well spent!! :D

[Travis L. Stevens]

My entire tank. I live for deals, and I wouldn't be reefing without them.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=875880

[RichConley]

maximods.


completely changed my outlook on reefing.

[weaselslucks]

my tetra tech HOB filter for my 40 gallon. It has a built in heater,which helps since i don't have a sump to hide things in, and even has a nice wave action from on of the outlet tubes

[leeweber85]

Aquacontroller, auto top offs, MJ mods,

[cowboyswife]

...

[nosferatu51]

Gotta be either my auto top off (god that saves me trouble all the time) or my newish Koralias.

[edwing206]

My korallia 4's and my ozonizer I got for 100 bucks when its worth over 200 and it came with the probe which is 60 bucks.

[GMAX]

wavebox corals have not quit smiling!

[GSMguy]

Tunze osmolator, aquacontroller jr.

[Snowboarda42]

fan across the top of the tank.

It cools like no ones business

[kaihonu82]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10559023#post10559023 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Snowboarda42
fan across the top of the tank.

It cools like no ones business


+1! all for $5 too!

[kev apsley]

Vortech

[vessxpress1]

Hands down my Tunze Osmolator with the Ca dispenser.

Keeps the water level and params stable, pH up and eliminates a daily chore that I hate, and that a tank sitter would have to take care of while I was gone. Now I fill a bucket and walk away for 5 days.

Runner up: My American DJ power center. No more unplugging for water changes.

[AZDesertRat]

Spectrapure MaxCap RO/DI system. Water is the single largest ingredient in your reef system so provide the best.

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10559558#post10559558 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AZDesertRat
Spectrapure MaxCap RO/DI system. Water is the single largest ingredient in your reef system so provide the best.


AzDesertRat, I dont think I've ever met someone who loves their job (water purification, treatment) as much as you do.

I truly envy you.

[The Yellow Longnose]

my 2 sexy shrimps. god i love them..

[Just Jim]

got to go with the auto top off. It's by far the best piece of equipment out there...

[Roy G. Biv]

ACIII Pro + Probes + DC-8's close to $1,000. High tech reefing!

Live Feed
http://www.rowelab.com/AquaController/rc_PMolan_sig.png

[sirjohn]

My 2 Vortechs.

Not seeing 4 ugly powerheads, rubber feet, plastic frames, and black cables in my tank = PRICELESS.

[Nano Chris]

I would have to say my whole setup, can't really choose, but looking at my beautiful tank every day = Priceless

[Fig]

Litermeter III for kalk/top-off

[mr_o98]

Kent maxxima Hi-S
and
My tank (whole set-up). I got a great deal from a fellow reefer.

[RicGio]

The Ranco controller I wired to my two canopy fans. Maintains my water temp dead on no overcooling/over evaporation. Only $40 new on Ebay.

[Boomstick]

Interesting that nobody has listed their box of crap...... seemed to cause quite a stir a little while back.....

[jnc914]

My H&S skimmer and Ozotech ozonizer hands down the best purchases made.

[LobsterOfJustice]

1. Tunze osmolator topoff. Eliminates the most basic daily chore.
2. Calcium Reactor. "Set it and forget it", no dosing, rock solid params.
3. Ranco Dual stage temp controller. Turns heaters on when the water is too cool, turns fans on when its too hot. Also provides a great backup for heaters sticking on.

[TCU Reefer]

Wet/dry vac :(

[skeeter-doc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10563070#post10563070 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TCU Reefer
Wet/dry vac :(

too true!




go horned frogs!

[xtm]

Arctica Chiller of course! without it, my tank would be TOAST in the middle of hot Southern California summer

[seapug]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10562221#post10562221 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Boomstick
Interesting that nobody has listed their box of crap...... seemed to cause quite a stir a little while back.....

HA! I guess the joy of a getting 3 year old Maxim magazine, cichlid food, and a 5 watt incandescent reptile bulb from 1987 wears off quick.

I'd say my best purchase is my 48" Outer Orbit light fixture.

[reefgeeker]

i got a 35 Gal custom built tank, and a 24" Aqualight pro/HQI Compact FL w/ Lunars light fixture all for $250.00!!!

If you arent familiar w/ this setup it has 2 I believe 21" combo PC light fixtures and a 150 Metal halide in the middle. It also has two lunar lights for nightime viewing.

I would have to say i was pumped when I saw these two items for sale, by the way they were used from my LFS. The tank is now set up on a custom stand, I upgraded from my previous tank a 29gal.

[jjmcat]

5$ The biggest lobo I have ever seen.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y212/jjmcat/2007_0709Image0017.jpg

The best piece of equipment id say would be my dosing pump for my auto top off.It was free so I dont know if that counts.

[justinl]

i find it interesting that only two posts have mentioned any LIVEstock as the best purchase (excluding the "the entire tank" posts). :) you freakin equipment junkies.

by far, my favourite purchase was my G. smithii mantis shrimp.

jarrod, that was FIVE bucks?!! wth.

[melev]

My first fish - a True Percula that is now 10 years old.

My Euro-reef 12-2, the workhorse of my system

My RO/DI system that put me on the right path years ago when all I could grow was GHA. :o

My own hosting plan so I could set up a little website to document my thoughts. ;)

[awestruck]

My 36" Tek t5 lights w/individual reflectors. It was the first time I could buy decent t5s; and, I bought them from an awesome seller here on RC.

[jjmcat]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10563934#post10563934 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by justinl
i find it interesting that only two posts have mentioned any LIVEstock as the best purchase (excluding the "the entire tank" posts). :) you freakin equipment junkies.

by far, my favourite purchase was my G. smithii mantis shrimp.

jarrod, that was FIVE bucks?!! wth.

The lfs was going out of busines so I bought all his corals and LR.I spent less then 150 bucks.The rock was like 2 pounds for a dollar.

[jjmcat]

My own hosting plan so I could set up a little website to document my thoughts. ;) [/B][/QUOTE]


Thats one of my favorites as well:)

[hulley]

I cant believe I just spent $345 on a powerhead but my Vortech is worth every penny! I just got it and I'm gonna buy another one next week! I plan on having 4 in my 180g! By far the coolest thing I've purchased for my tank!

[fishdoc11]

Tunze Osmolator

[skeeter-doc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10563934#post10563934 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by justinl
i find it interesting that only two posts have mentioned any LIVEstock as the best purchase (excluding the "the entire tank" posts). :) you freakin equipment junkies.

READ HERE:


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10557178#post10557178 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by railch
We all spend waaayyyy too much on our reef tanks, so I'm curious - what is your "best" or "favorite" purchase ever (excluding livestock)?

I read the excluding livestock, THAT'S why most people are putting what EQUIPMENT they think is their best purchase.

[pgammon]

Oceans Motions and my Reefkeeper.

[gws3]

Vortech / ATO

[hyperfocal]

After about a year of twice-weekly trips to the LFS for water, I'd have to pick my RO/DI system. It's far from the most fun or interesting thing, but bang per unit buck is huge.

[xtm]

Now that I think about it, I think one of the best "purchase" I've ever made is RC's premium membership. No more "Banging on the search button rapidly only makes it less likely that you will get in." messages! No more waking up on 3AM just to do a search.. lol :D Since I spend tremendous amount of time researching here, I think this is a very good purchase, plus it supports RC!

[Fish Filet]

360gallon custom starphire tank with stand, canopy, and outer orbit light fixture all of $1,000.00

[InLimbo87]

Hands down my RO/DI unit.

[reefkoi]

My ph controller for my calcium reactor. The best $100 I have spent, the thing makes my alk and calcium rock steady and I would never run a reactor without one now.

[BrokeColoReefer]

Most important piece : Aquacontroller 3
Close second, my 5 250w HQI's
another close second, LiterMeter 3's
third, Tunzes on a controller ( i think i would rather have a closed loop)
4th, calcium reactor. Im thinking of going to dosing two part...

[davocean]

My "wow, I couldn't have done better" purchases were my tunze nano's(w/ mods) and Eheim1262 return.
Honorable mention;
Sequence dart, Current USA outer orbit.

[Larry Waughon]

ReefKeeper 2 controller

[barandiaran]

since i have many friends with reef tanks, one of whom recently tore down his 175 since he was leaving town, i have gotten basically an entire setup of used equipment at probably 1/8 cost of buying everything new. throw in a used 58 gal that i got with a stand included for $150 at a lfs, and viola! i have a reef in the making on a college student's budget :D when the time for corals comes, i will be able to get cheap (or free) frags from my friends. lesson here: make friends with reefers!

[shibumi]

My RO/DI system ... No more picking water at the store .. you got to love it..... and my back loves it too. :D

[ricsreef]

sump/refug.

[Darkstar04]

My automatic top off system has been fabulous for convenience.

And deciding to get some decent lights on my tank to make the first jump from FOWLR to reef made all the difference...