If You Could Only Get 1 Thing.

What if you could only have 1 accesory for your tank?

Consider that you have a complete and cycled tank (whatever type of tank) but only with what is REALLY necessary in, so no dosing system, only necessary pumps, no frag racks, etc. And lets consider only the very basic equipment so no 500$ lights or Vortech pumps.

I have a friend going abroad and she can get me 1 accesory for my tank, but no more than that so it will fit on her luggage. I was stomped with this question and though it was fun.

What do you guys think?

I'm leaning towards a wave pump controler, but haven't settled yet, maybe a frag kit.

 

I love waves. If it was me, I’d ask for a smallish rock or shell. I have a thing.

 

If you don't have a way to control your pumps, I would highly suggest the controller. It was the first thing I upgraded after my initial build cost... a wavemaker broke not 4 months in. So the replacement was an upgrade that included a controller. I really enjoy the varied motion in the tank, and it creating an ebb and flow pattern is certainly better as it more closely mimics what you find on natural reefs.

Now, to answer your question about which one thing I would get to add to my current setup. Hmmm, are Hanna checkers cheaper overseas? Perhaps the friend could fit more than one of that small item. Yeah, you can do alright without Hanna checkers, but I still think I'd like it for phosphates. I'd also like a nice digital pH checker.

Things to speed up or be more accurate with the testing process would be great, especially if they aquarist is trying to see if they need to dose. It would be necessary to test often to see how fast calc/alk/mag are being used.

A quality digital pH checker can be used for other tanks as well, which is a bonus for someone who has an RO or RODI system and uses it to make water for freshwater tanks. It may sound like a bit much, but I have crazy hard tap water that's full of nitrates. Not good for any of my tanks, particularly since we like soft water fish.

 

A wave pump controller is one of the most useless things I can imagine... almost all modern powerheads have built in wave functions. Maybe ask for a Jebao PP-8 wavemaker if you need varied flow?

 

A wave pump controller is one of the most useless things I can imagine... almost all modern powerheads have built in wave functions. Maybe ask for a Jebao PP-8 wavemaker if you need varied flow?

I though of getting the controller so I could use the pump I already have, but I do like the suggestion.

 

I think it's worth mentioning my own experience. I had a couple of Hydor Koralia 425's when I first started the 20 gallon long tank. After some time here, I saw some good reports of Jebaos, and I did want better control of the flow rather than the constant flow I got from the Koralias. Hydor offered a controller for the Koralias, but it was more expensive than the Jebao SW-2 I had been looking at. Then, only about 3.5 months in one of the Koralias quit on me. So I gave up on Hydor, retired the working 425 to a backup, and put 2 Jebao SW-2's on the tank.

At the time, 2 x 425's cost us $30 each, but Hydor's controller (which we didn't get) was $80, for a potential total of $150. The SW-2's with controllers were $45 x 2, so significantly cheaper in comparison. Jebao certainly isn't top of the line, but I've been happy with mine for several months.

 

@BDRDrew what size is your tank again?

Personally, I would say lighting because it is arguably one of the more expensive pieces of equipment you will be using and is crucial for good coral growth. As long as it would fit in, I would go with that if lighting is outrageously priced in your area.

 

@BDRDrew what size is your tank again?

Personally, I would say lighting because it is arguably one of the more expensive pieces of equipment you will be using and is crucial for good coral growth. As long as it would fit in, I would go with that if lighting is outrageously priced in your area.

Its a 37G display and 20G sump. My only issue with lighting is the large upfront cost at least for the brands I know. And yes lighting is outrageously priced here an AI prime would cost upwards of 1800 BRL which is around 500 USD. And don't even get me started on Hydras or Maxpect Razor fixtures, I've seen does go for around 4000BRL (1100 USD) used depending on the model.

Do you have any recommendations as far as lights go? Cheaper would be better but I do want something good.