Do I really need to buy?

[jazzywashbuckler]

Guys I have the basics but I been told if I don't get this stuff my tanks gonna die

[gobytron]

Originally Posted by jazzywashbuckler

Guys I have the basics but I been told if I don't get this stuff my tanks gonna die

LOL...do they work at an LFS by chance?

you need to get used to people in this hobby having a rabid need to spend money.

I've never come across a group of people that were so anxious to spend as much as they can whenever they can. (hello PFO Solaris)

Out of all of that, I would say an ATO is probably borderline necessary for a reef tank (especially with Calgary's dry, hot 2 months of summer), everything else really just makes it easier and you feel cooler.

You can accumulate all of those items slowly as you go and find a need for them personally. You can find all of those item regularly used, well cared for and much cheaper than new.

[jazzywashbuckler]

Lol them LFS guy eh . I mean what maintenance is a must every month, because people are saying u need to does this dose that, add this add that. This is a very confusing hobby lol.

[jazzywashbuckler]

Are hang on overflows safe?

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by jazzywashbuckler

Are hang on overflows safe?

Mostly

[gobytron]

Originally Posted by jazzywashbuckler

Are hang on overflows safe?

Good ones are.

Lifereef are the cream of the crop.

DO NOT get a cpr or anything that relies on a pump to restart siphon.

With proper design, set up and flow, hang on overflows are just as reliable as drilled aquarium overflows are.

[The Codfather]

Originally Posted by jazzywashbuckler

Are hang on overflows safe?

I used one for years, this however requires a maintainance schedule. If it fails, a potentially bad thing can happen.

[Animal-Chin]

If all you are going to have is fish and some soft coral you don't need any type of dosing or reacting at all. Out of that list the only thin I wouldn't live without is and auto top off. They are $100 and you don't have to worry about evaporation. My 125 gallon tank goes through 2 gallons of water a day, I don't want to have to worry about that. I go away a lot too, its nice to put down 15 gallons of fresh water and take off and not have to worry.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by Animal-Chin

If all you are going to have is fish and some soft coral you don't need any type of dosing or reacting at all. Out of that list the only thin I wouldn't live without is and auto top off. They are $100 and you don't have to worry about evaporation. My 125 gallon tank goes through 2 gallons of water a day, I don't want to have to worry about that. I go away a lot too, its nice to put down 15 gallons of fresh water and take off and not have to worry.

I would argue that , coraline algae if enough of it can drop a dKH a day or more it consumes as much as hard corals do , and alot of people run carbon or gfo in a softie tank while yes you can certainly be more sparse on it you still don't want nutrient problems , a fowlr should be treated the same as a reef it's needs are pretty much identical

[Ginu]

Also I totally forgot to add, but the most important factor is what are you looking to stock the tank with?

Fish and rock only?
Softie tank
LPS tank
Mixed reef
SPS tank

Depending on what you stock the tank with, you will need a very constant level of stability, especially for SPS