What is the best equipment purchase you have ever made?

[Bblinks]

I want to know what kind of equipment was the best purchase you have made and why? For me it is going to be my bubble king. I absolutely love this thing, between the craftsmanship and performance, it is hands down the best skimmer I ever had. Collection cup is so easy to remove and clean. Two words: simply and effective.

[BlueTang<3]

Any royal exclusive products. Red dragon pump and skimmer. The ati powermodule is right up there also.

[lastlight]

Three-way tie!

- Tunze Osmolator
- Ranco temperature controller
- Profilux Doser

Stability and peace-of-mind.

[Bblinks]

Any royal exclusive products. Red dragon pump and skimmer. The ati powermodule is right up there also.

Oh yeah, forgot my red dragon pump, very quiet also a good purchase. I like to also add my tunze auto top off.

[banditpowdercoat]

My SWC Skimmer!

[es355lucille]

#1 Tunze Osmolator (auto top off)
#2 GHL Dosing Pump

[cale262]

My Reef controllers...

[The Grizz]

For me ATM it would have to be my new Reef Octopus RPS-3000 skimmer. It was super easy to set-up, dial in and was pulling crud out within a few hours.

[PoonTang]

My SWC Skimmer!

+1
and my Apex

[Lance]

- Sfiligoi Infinity XR4
- MR-3 skimmer
- Reeflo Barracuda

[The Grizz]

A close second is my Profilux 2 ex controller, only because I don't have a couple probes I want and don't have every thing I DO have hooked up yet.

[cwatkins]

-Tunze Osmolator
-Neptune Apex Controller

Both have served me well and are excellent products.

Although I guess #1 could be replaced by #2...

[whatcaneyedo]

Neptune Controller.

[zum14]

Apex for sure.

[christyf5]

RO/DI unit
euroeef skimmers
dosing pump
lumenarc reflectors

each of these has made a monumental change for the better in my tank(s) over the years

[Parker]

I'd have to go with the Apex as well.

[abcha0s]

Some of the obvious "bests" have already been mentioned.

For me, the LiterMeter III paristaltic pumps which are used on my continuous water change, have really added value to my time spent with my tank. Less work for me = good :smile:

[Aquattro]

I'd have to go with the Apex as well.

Yup, gotta agree on that. Also, the single best thing I ever did was plumb my top -off to my water supply. Not manually filling jugs (like I've done for 10 years) is the single best thing ever!

[abcha0s]

I guess I also have to add the HRV we had installed. Before the HRV, the humidity was wrecking our house and my wife was really not happy. After the HRV, humidity is a none issue.

[cale262]

I guess I also have to add the HRV we had installed. Before the HRV, the humidity was wrecking our house and my wife was really not happy. After the HRV, humidity is a none issue.



+1 on the HRV,...Now my wife says it's to dry in the house.:lol:

[Parker]

Yup, gotta agree on that. Also, the single best thing I ever did was plumb my top -off to my water supply. Not manually filling jugs (like I've done for 10 years) is the single best thing ever!


I just finished plumbing my auto top-off in yesterday so I haven’t reaped the benefits from it yet. I'm sure it will be on my list in a few short days.

[marie]

My bubbleking skimmer is hands down the best purchase. Not once in the last 3 yrs have I wanted to throw it off the deck....and that's saying something, I frustrate easily apparently :lol:

[Skimmerking]

Yup, gotta agree on that. Also, the single best thing I ever did was plumb my top -off to my water supply. Not manually filling jugs (like I've done for 10 years) is the single best thing ever!


Yup I have been running my top off off my RO/DI line since 2002 and love it. regular checking of the float switch is the key.


My DELTEC AP 702 Skimmer.

[phreezee]

Easyblade - with my big tank, saves me hours of work.
Ozonizer - if I had started with it I would have save hundreds in UV and QT equipment. Plus crystal clear water!
ATO system - plain old float valve.

[christyf5]

Easyblade - with my big tank, saves me hours of work.


+1 that thing is awesome! :)

[sphelps]

RD pump and BK skimmer purely for the low noise level. It's nice to have your tank and equipment in your living room without it making a single detectable sound.

[Madreefer]

BubbleKing Mini 180. Awesome skimmer but had to get on the cone skimmer phase. Sold the BK and got a Vertex Alpha Cone 250. Even better skimmer. And even though I did have some problems with 1 of my MP40's they are on my list just for the effect they have had on my tank.

[fishytime]

#1 and by a huge margin....Tunze osmolater
#2 Profilux dosing pump
#3 Bubble King mini 180 skimmer.

[Frankly Canadian]

I know their not equipment, but they sure out do any equipment I've purchased, and thats my two yellow headed sand sifting golbies (Ozzy & Harriot). Aside from them I would have to say my Coralife 125 Skimmer which I bought used for 60.00 but it still works great a year later.

[Northernseacorals]

Roomba and my hot sandwich maker lol:lol:

[globaldesigns]

I do love my:

1) 2 Vortech MP40W's
2) Hyder 1000 skimmer
3) hamilton Belize 5ft light fixture

[shrimpchips]

#1 and by a huge margin....Tunze osmolater
#2 Profilux dosing pump
#3 Bubble King mini 180 skimmer.

+ a million. And exactly those three.

Actually, my $7 2' grabber tongs are pretty sweet too. It's probably one of the most often used items on my tank.

[Bblinks]

I do love my:

1) 2 Vortech MP40W's
2) Hyder 1000 skimmer
3) hamilton Belize 5ft light fixture

I had a Hydor 1000, I had nothing but trouble with it, I didn't like the fact that I had to be a dentist just to pull the collector cup off. It was a pain in the butt. Do you have the original design or the 2nd gen? Dont take it the wrong way, it performed good, but ijust had some design flaws.

[tinman]

apex controller and tunze 6055 pumps

[Bblinks]

apex controller and tunze 6055 pumps

I love my apex.

[Zoaelite]

I do love my:

1) 2 Vortech MP40W's
2) Hyder 1000 skimmer
3) hamilton Belize 5ft light fixture

http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/8163/94964083.jpg (http://img847.imageshack.us/i/94964083.jpg/)

[freezetyle]

#1 and by a huge margin....Tunze osmolater
#2 Profilux dosing pump
#3 Bubble King mini 180 skimmer.

agreed but i have a bm mini 160. Iam ashamed to admit that my number 4 is a avast marine swabbie... that thing is the tits

[Bblinks]

http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/8163/94964083.jpg (http://img847.imageshack.us/i/94964083.jpg/)

:sad: omfg, I hope that wasn't you it happened to. This reminds me of an incident I had back in high school that involved a big container of salsa and me trying to shake it as hard as I can in the kitchen. Let's just say salsa won and I had to take a shower.:redface:

[Mandosh]

http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/8163/94964083.jpg (http://img847.imageshack.us/i/94964083.jpg/)

How? Is that the skimmer cup in the middle of your carpet?

[Zoaelite]

How? Is that the skimmer cup in the middle of your carpet?

Yes... yes that is haha.
The skimmer head fits reallllyy tightly into the neck, unless modified you need to use a great deal of force to remove it. I just used a little to much "great deal of force" and accidentally launched it half way across the room.

[OscarMeyer]

I have to admit my light has been one of the best purchases I've ever made!

#1 Vertex Illumina
#2 Vertex Alpha 170 cone
#3 mp40w

even tho i haven't even got a chance to use #2, and #3 still some of the best buys ive made!

[Jackie]

1. MP40W ES
2. KEY Aquarium LED

[reef-keeper]

I have to say so far my best buy would be my mini bubble king 180. But I still have more to get!

[abcha0s]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Hanna digital colorimeters. If you consider the things we hate doing most and the technological solutions to these problems, then a better test kit should be on the list.

I love my Hanna test kits!

[Bblinks]

I have to admit my light has been one of the best purchases I've ever made!

#1 Vertex Illumina
#2 Vertex Alpha 170 cone
#3 mp40w

even tho i haven't even got a chance to use #2, and #3 still some of the best buys ive made!

WHAT WAS THE SIZE OF THE LIGHT YOU GOT? WHAT WAS THE REASON THAT YOU GOT THE VERTEX INSTEAD OF AI OR OTHERS. JUST CURIOUS. I AM ALSO IN THE MARKET FOR LEDS. I GUESS THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION IS WHAT KIND OF CORAL DO YOU KEEP?

THANKS

[es355lucille]

Ok, this is one of my purchases and I was thinking that it could just be one of those junker items that you buy and throw away.

I looked at all the LFS in Calgary and could not find this item. Maybe its a BRS exclusive? Let me tell you this thing is worth its weight in gold.

Yes its an algae scraper thats removed a years worth of coraline algae around the edges of my tank!! WOW!! I cleaned all of my glass today, better than I could ever do by hand before.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/easy-blade-algae-scrapers-black.html


If you don't have one! you should!!!

I also purchased a 10 pack of blades.

[fishytime]

Ok, this is one of my purchases and I was thinking that it could just be one of those junker items that you buy and throw away.

I looked at all the LFS in Calgary and could not find this item. Maybe its a BRS exclusive? Let me tell you this thing is worth its weight in gold.

Yes its an algae scraper thats removed a years worth of coraline algae around the edges of my tank!! WOW!! I cleaned all of my glass today, better than I could ever do by hand before.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/easy-blade-algae-scrapers-black.html


If you don't have one! you should!!!

I also purchased a 10 pack of blades.

Oh thats old news Brad:razz:....... we have had them at the store a few times.....they just sell out really fast.....

[es355lucille]

Hey I have checked multiple times and never seem them there Doug. Wow, should have had you order me one.....what a good tool!!!

Oh thats old news Brad:razz:....... we have had them at the store a few times.....they just sell out really fast.....

[cale262]

...A wet/dry shop vac...

[Money pit]

Turkey baster

[Zarstar]

Maxspect LED G2 110W no dimmer but the fluorescent fuana POP in the evening...

[Bblinks]

Wow. thats all I got to say, I bought one from JL aquatics for 10.95. This little scraper is amazing. If you have a large magfloat then you need to get yourself one of these. What a time saver. I can't believe I have been sticking my arm in the tank for hours on end to clean and scrap off all the coraline algae on the glass. When I started this thread this is exactly what I was looking to accomplish. Thanks for sharing this with me.

JL link http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/cl-mrzebl/Easy+Blade+Scraper+Attachment+for+Cleaning+Magnets .html
Ok, this is one of my purchases and I was thinking that it could just be one of those junker items that you buy and throw away.

I looked at all the LFS in Calgary and could not find this item. Maybe its a BRS exclusive? Let me tell you this thing is worth its weight in gold.

Yes its an algae scraper thats removed a years worth of coraline algae around the edges of my tank!! WOW!! I cleaned all of my glass today, better than I could ever do by hand before.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/easy-blade-algae-scrapers-black.html


If you don't have one! you should!!!

I also purchased a 10 pack of blades.

[gobytron]

ACJR...

A controller is like piece of mind...

After I got a controller set up, I really started to enjoy my tanks a lot more.

Now I just need to set up a system that automatically replenishes my ro resevoir...

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Chin Lee posted about this EasyBlade years ago on Canreef when it first came out. It is an awesome little tool.:biggrin:

Wow. thats all I got to say, I bought one from JL aquatics for 10.95. This little scraper is amazing. If you have a large magfloat then you need to get yourself one of these. What a time saver. I can't believe I have been sticking my arm in the tank for hours on end to clean and scrap off all the coraline algae on the glass. When I started this thread this is exactly what I was looking to accomplish. Thanks for sharing this with me.

JL link http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/cl-mrzebl/Easy+Blade+Scraper+Attachment+for+Cleaning+Magnets .html