Christmas for a reefer questions (help)

[Dctrojan]

Well with christmas around the corner everyones been asking me what i would like for christmas, and all i can think of is tank supplies. I would like a more knowledgable opinion on a few things before I start writing down tank supplies.

I am somewhat new to the (marine) hobby (5 months) , so when i decided to go to my LFS to set up my system I was advised wrongly and I purchased several pieces of equipment which are up to par when compared to their competitors. Now I would like to upgrade and add several other things as well.

I am running a standard 55 gallon with both sps and lps , Im running a 30 gallon sump and a 25 gallon fuge. Im using the chinese leds and they seem to be growing everything great. ( im adding a rapidled actinics kit )

Ive bought a dc6000 return pump recently and a jabeo wavemaker which I havent set up yet. Im also using a reef angel plus controller to monitor my system. now with all that said, i think i can get to my questions now. :)

Im using a seaclone skimmer now, and the skimmer works somewhat OK i guess. i mean all my chemistries are great. but ive heard horror stories about these and I want to upgrade. What brand/features should i look for? I would like a overpower skimmer since i plan on upgrading to a 100+ gallon in the future.

What type of water tester should i get.
everyone talks about the "Hanna" checkers, what tests should i get? Ex:ALK,P

I want a PAR meter eventually, is there a brand thats better than the others?

ALso should i get some type of reactors or GFO, I mean right now everything is great in the tank but I want to be able to make my tank the best it can be.

Right now i Dose once a week with kent: Microvert, purpletec and chromaplex

Is there anything else that someone may recommend I look into? Im completely new to the saltwater world so any advice would help tremendously.

[fscmocsaj]

I feel like people get way to technical with their tanks. My friend has been running his tanks for over 2 years now it is a 125g and a 40b. Both are stocked and SPS. He runs them without a sump/fuge, controller, auto top, etc and even a protein skimmer. All his fish are very healthy and his corals grow like crazy! I run my tank with just a hydor slim skim protein skimmer only because my tank is fairly new. You don't need to buy all that expensive equipment. Put your money into getting the biggest system you can get to make your fish and corals happy! And use the rest of your money to buy other things for yourself and your family. There is my advice, I mean no hard feelings, just giving you my opinion. Good Luck!

[Gundo5000]

Just take your time and buy quality products from the get go. This hobby is not for those who always have to rush things. you will have a happier reef in the long run if you take your time and do your research!

[phillrodrigo]

Octopus skimmers seem to be liked my most. The in sump skimmers are probably bigger than your thinking so check measurements first. Its a hassle for me to even get the cup out. I have the nwb 150 on my 75. Its almost 2 feet tall. It needs a 12 chamber to sit in. Also if your water level is kinda high in the sump you will have.to bring the skimmer up usually. They should be in around 7inches of water. I have the Brs dual reactor its around $90 with a pump less without. Check out the spectrapure reactor also or any one that you can control each side if its a duel not all medias require the same flow.

[Quick_Ben]

The Hanna checkers are great. The Par meter is a luxury item that you really don't need. Use it once to kinda set your lights and then it'll sit on the shelf. Group ownership is the way to go ie. club? Lights are adjusted better by eye. Watch the corals, if they're happy go with a brightness that doesn't stress everything out.
I have the Hannas for Alk, Phos, Ca. Elos and Salifert for the other tests with mostly nitrate done steadily along with the Hanna tests. Absolutely necessary, nope. Nice? Sure. I will say the most important test item I have is the calibrated refractometer. The liquid 35ppt saline used to set the thing is worth the trouble. Nothing else will be as critical to the health and happiness of the tank. Finding out you were off by a mile while trying to do it properly really is frustrating. Of course, it can be monitored electronically but that's another story.

[Dctrojan]

The Hanna checkers are great. The Par meter is a luxury item that you really don't need. Use it once to kinda set your lights and then it'll sit on the shelf. Group ownership is the way to go ie. club? Lights are adjusted better by eye. Watch the corals, if they're happy go with a brightness that doesn't stress everything out.
I have the Hannas for Alk, Phos, Ca. Elos and Salifert for the other tests with mostly nitrate done steadily along with the Hanna tests. Absolutely necessary, nope. Nice? Sure. I will say the most important test item I have is the calibrated refractometer. The liquid 35ppt saline used to set the thing is worth the trouble. Nothing else will be as critical to the health and happiness of the tank. Finding out you were off by a mile while trying to do it properly really is frustrating. Of course, it can be monitored electronically but that's another story.

Thanks everyone for the quick replies. Im very interested in a refractometer at this point. Ive been using the swing arm type hydrometer and after reading a few posts about the VS of them ,well it has me worried. I agree whole heartly on the quality product , I was planning on this from the get go but when I took my tank to the fishstore to get drilled and they sold me on a hob overflow and starting a cycle on my tank .
Im young and in college so it would be worth the wild to get the best quality equipment especially the tester, so they can last as long as possible.

Ill also check the dimension on my sump before buying a new skimmer .

[Boston21]

Get some money and get rid of the Seablow's Skimmer. I bought a used one off of craigslist for $20 before I heard the horror stories of them doing nothing.... its now been turned into a mixing pump for salt. Thats all I can say.

[ucdcrew]

This is the first time I can honestly say that I want rocks for Christmas. LOL.

[Boston21]

This is the first time I can honestly say that I want rocks for Christmas. LOL.

LMAO. Right on.

[JAnwyl]

Go to your fish store window shop and take pictures with your phone, then go home and research those products.

[igot2gats]

What type of water tester should i get.
everyone talks about the "Hanna" checkers, what tests should i get? Ex:ALK,P



You can't go wrong with API & Sailfert. Both are good.