What not to buy: A DO NOT buy list for your reef.

[thirty5]

Basically anything from petland discounts. :lol2::lol2:

 

[fritz]

The remora line is ok but the EV line isn't worth it IME. The pumps required to make them perform use up so much electricity that you'd be better off with a beckett based skimmer. You're much better off, in this price range purchasing a needle wheel skimmer. If you don't mind the wattage that one of these take then consider a beckett skimmer.

 

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Support MR Vendors

For the new reefers, it's always good to support the vendors we have on here, because they will most likely tell you what works and what doesn't. Most importantly, they are local, you can visit them, and they support us here in MR whole-heartedly.

 

[jhale]

it was felt the glass vs acrylic silicone debate was distracting the thread, so those comments have been removed. if you like they can be moved to a new thread and the discussion continued there, let us know...

 

[DaddyReefer13]

Thanks Jhale. As intriguing as the glass vs. acrylic discussion is. I am greatful you filtered out that "noise" on this thread. Especially since, I am setting up my first reef tank and am looking of things to buy as we speak. This thread has so far helped me narrow down the pumps and a powerhead NOT to get.

Please keep the suggestions coming they are helping knowledge hungry members like myself.

Thanks all again for posting.

 

[JHOV2324]

As far as things not to buy ...

Crushed coral substrate. Do yourself a favor and either get sand or go BB.

Good One Elle.....i too went this route when i started..... :dead1:

 

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Do not buy this thinking it is a replacement for an RO/DI unit:

Tap Water Filter

 

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Please stay away from:

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

I would say all additives that promise the world. Stresszyme, Amquel, Amquel plus, any Marc weiss products, seachem prime. Also any medication that says it's reef/invert safe. They dont' work.

 

[jejton]

Yeah i asked the same question, Thats when i realised the store was just out to make a buck off of people that didn't know any better. They gave out bad advice (strip lights are enough for a reef), sold stupid things like the mojanos, and was just really overpriced on just about everything.

Thats almost funny. There's a guy on eBay who sells things like mojanos and aptaisa's. He just calls them by their other names - tulip anemones and such.

 

[jejton]

I owned and used a swing arm for 8 or so years and never had a problem. Sure while I thought my SG was 1.021 it may have been 1.024. Mike SLama Jama and I both bought refractometers around the same time and just for goofs compared our old swing arms against the refractometers. They had the exact same readings. I was very careful with my swingarm and made sure to wash it out in fresh water thoroughly every time I used it. I think if you calibrate a swing arm once and take good care of it, it should serve you fine.

However, if you don't own a hydrometer and you are going to buy one, for only about $35-$40 you can get a refractometer. If you already own a swing arm do yourself a favor and take it to someone with a refractometer so they can test it's accuracy. You may find that it reads up or down a few points. It's good to know if your swing arm's 1.024 is actually 1.019.

There was a study posted on RC sometime within the last year comparing some hydrometers and refractometers. The hydrometers for the most part did just fine if a.) they were calibrated and b.) they were cleaned and used properly. For most people, its not the accuracy of 1.025 vs 1.024 SG that counts but rather the stability and, correct me if I am wrong, but for most applications the margin of error on a swing arm hydrometer is not great enough to have such a detrimental effect. I had ( when I did my nano ) a floating hydrometer, swing arm and eventually a refractometer and had the easiest and most consistent readings with the swing arm hydrometer. You dont need a refractometer to test it against, just use some RO water. The SG of that should be 1.000.

 

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This is not a debate thread. Please keep it to suggestions and not long discussions.

:thanks:

 

[jejton]

ok sorry, feel free to delete my post mods

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

No deleting, Just suggesting

 

[jhale]

I think a decent explanation of why to buy something or not buy something is helpful.

 

[neeko08]

I have to disagree with the issue about Powersweeps.
Suggestion: please try cleaning the powersweep instead of forcing it to move when it stalls. ...Thats probably how it breaks.
I have two in my tank for 3 years now & it works perfectly fine.

 

[roncgizmo]

I have to disagree with the issue about Powersweeps.
Suggestion: please try cleaning the powersweep instead of forcing it to move when it stalls. ...Thats probably how it breaks.
I have two in my tank for 3 years now & it works perfectly fine.

Sorry Neeko, I tried... I had one a LONG time ago and I liked it...but then again I was very new to SW...well I tried another one about 2 years ago I thing it was the 228 or something (it was the biggest one they had) To make a long story short I took it back and bought ol faithful (Maxi-Jet 600) and it seemed like I got 4x the flow out of it for less money and it was rated at 100gph less (give or take) My beef with Power Sweep was not the sweep part but the power part. I also think that sweep part is awesome! and yes it would requirer a lot of cleaning etc. and if the pump worked a little better I think it would be well worth it. BTW, I did return it twice thinking I got a bad one and then got the 600 the 3rd time.

My.02

 

[fritz]

My beef is the same with the powersweep, yes if you soak them often they do oscillate as they should but the extra moving parts require extra cleaning not necessary in a standard powerhead such as a Maxijet. Also turning the gears require a good amount of the force and thus for the wattage they do not produce much GPH compared to traditional powerheads.

Also I agree with John, it was mentioned earlier in this thread that without anecdotal evidence of why someone should avoid a product, this thread would be useless. It also, in my opinion ads value for anecdotal experiences for each side. I may not like a product because it did not suit my needs, those may be entirely different from your needs.

 

[Psycho graphic]

Ok, now what is wrong with Stress Coat? The product does EXACTLY what it says it does. In fact this is the best dechlorinator (if indeed this is a word) made IMO.

This thread is beginning to be absolutely useless if you ask me.

 

[inkblue]

Dechlorinator = RO/DI