List your experiences with equipment and how you would rate it.

[zman1]

List your experiences with equipment and how you would rate it.
I will start with my list:
Recommend to others:
Icecap 440 and 660 ballast. reliable and runs cool to touch.
URI VHO bulbs
Dolphin 3000 (got during the change from 1.5" to 2" 3600 version). Wasn't happy about the note in the box about production change. However, has thus far been reliable.
Maxi-Jet PHs - only have had one go bad and expose 120V to tank and trip GFI, cord dry rot.
Penguin PHs - I think these are just as reliable as Maxi-jets. They were my oldest still working ones that ran at least 8 years - I took them out a few months ago and they are still good, sitting in a bucket of water. Just a little afraid of cord dry rot (or maybe wet rot -LOL)...
Salifert Test kits - Alk, CA, and N03
Lamotte test kit Alk
Emperor 400 filters - Just need normal maintenance
ASM G-4X skimmer
Mag 9.5 - was a main return pump at one time, now a salt mixing pump. Normal maintenance.
Mag 1 for PhosBan reactor - minimal maintenance.
Mag 5 and 7 for water change and top off.
ATO - JBJ
Kent float value - used with ATO - the best investment made, makes life so much easier.
Tom aqua lifter AW20
PFO DE Mini pendants
Pin Point pH controller
Sybon Refractometer
FSHOPPS external overflows
Rubbermaid Trash cans and AG tanks.
Okay to Marginal performance:
Red Sea wave maker - Loses it's setting on powerfailure.
Fuval 404 - Micro bubble generator.
Koralin CA reactor- Not sure if it a marginal product or my inabilities to adjust.
GE drinking RO watersystem. Added DI stage with tee -
Dual stage TDS HM digital - not sure about items that say they don't ever need to be calibrated
Filter for aqua lifter
PFO HQI dual mag ballast - gets pretty hot, only reason not on the recommended list
Lamotte test kit CA - for salt you have to dilute with RO.
Pin Point monitor - need an option AC power supply, not included. Batt. operated
Seatest test kit
Seio 820 and 1100. Had to replace an impeller on one of the 820s - good flow but haven't always restarted after powerfail. Need to vinegar soak them more that I would like.
Would not recommend:
Powersweep PHs
Won Pro Heat II - Had three go bad at the 1 year mark..
Seaclone 100 - save your money and add a few buck for better skimmer.

 

[copernicus45]

I agree with the Seios, mine built up calcium way to fast and even after cleaning it it eventualy broke.
I like Maxi jets, ASM skimmers, Mag Pumps,

 

[thegrog]

I agree with almost all the above. I have two Seio's in my tank for over a year and have never had a single problem with them. I guess I'll put my $0.02 in. Not a comprehensive list, just what I can think of off the top of my head
Here is a short list of what I have used and like/dislike:
Recommend highly:
ASM skimmers
AquaC skimmers
Maxijet (any)
Whisper HOT filters (been using a 10-year old one for years without a single problem)
MH bulbs: Hamilton, SM, and Ushio bulbs
Salt: Instant Ocean Reef crystals and Red Sea Coral Pro
Water: RO/DI

Mag drive pumps
SeaChem test kits
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals test kits
Koralith Ca reactor media
pHep pH meter by Hanna
Current PC bulbs
Marginal performance:
Quiet one pumps (stick after power outages, cords go bad)
Jebo lighting fixtures
ASM Ca Reactor media
CPR Aquafuge HOT refugium
CPR skimmers
Aqualine and Coralife MH bulbs (go bad early)
Coralife PC bulbs
ANY pH test kit that uses colors
Would NOT recommend:
Jebo PC bulbs
Rio powerheads
Prism skimmers
Lamotte test kits
Would not recommend to my worst enemy:
SeaClone skimmers
Power Sweep powerheads
Any "reef safe" ich or cyano treatment product
Green hair algae
Cyano
Domino damsels
Mantis shrimp
Tap water

 

[travis89]

I agree with whats been posted above. I will also add that salifert test kits are good.

 

[fishy7]

Highly recommend
Coralife Auqualight pro fixture
Aqua C skimmer

Reeflow sequence pumps
Iwaki pumps
icecap fans
won brothers heaters
No way in hell
Coralife power center

 

[azfishgal]

:cheer: OK, this thread has been VERY helpful! Thanks so much zman! Anyone else have an opinion? I'm taking notes as I read and it's helping me get my equipment list together for my 125 gallon tank! The only thing I have not received any info on yet is what bulbs to get for my light fixtures that came with my tank. I have no idea what brand they are, but they are 22" long (about) and I have three of them. I want to get the better lighting, but don't have the extra cash to do it. So what's good for FOWLR? Will any fluorescent do until I can upgrade, or will a certain one work with my fixtures and still allow me to have hearty coral/anemones?

 

[copernicus45]

If you are going to have a FOWLR tank then you could use any light, but if you want corals then i would upgrade the lighting to a T5 Fixture or MH.

 

[zman1]

Thought I would revive this thread and update a few items
+ = add
- = moved
List your experiences with equipment and how you would rate it.
Recommend to others:
+ Giessemann MegaChrome Coral DE 250W - $$ -really like the color
+ Ushio 10,000K DE 250W - Good bulb were my first MH bulbs
Icecap 440 and 660 ballast. reliable and runs cool to touch.
URI VHO bulbs
Maxi-Jet PHs - only had one go bad and expose 120V to tank and trip GFI, cord dry rot.
Penguin PHs - I think these are just as reliable as Maxi-jets. Oldest still working ones that ran at least 8 years
Salifert Test kits - Alk, CA, and N03
Lamotte test kit Alk
+Lamotte test kit NO3
Emperor 400 filters - Just need normal maintenance
ASM G-4X skimmer
Mag 9.5 - Normal maintenance.
Mag 1 for PhosBan reactor - minimal maintenance.
Mag 5 and 7 for water change and top off.
ATO - JBJ - the best investment made, makes life so much easier.
Tom aqua lifter AW20
PFO DE Mini pendants
Pin Point pH controller
Sybon Refractometer
FSHOPPS external overflows
Rubbermaid Trashcans and AG tanks.
+ARO Electronic MH 250W ballast - cool enough to hold - only have had it 3 months
+Low cost DE pendant
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/265741/help-me-pick-a-ballast#post_2097236
Okay to Marginal performance:
+ Ushio 20,000K DE 250W - Not a bad bulb just didn't like the color- replaced at 6 months with the MegaChrome
+ New Wave 48 T5 HO 432W 8 bulb - Puts off way too much heat. Took it off after a few months on my 75 and put the VHOs back on. They are on the same link above.
+AquaMedic SP3000 Dosing pump - It makes a gear popping noise if it stops and starts under a compression point. I think it will eventually strip gears.
Red Sea wave maker - Loses it's setting on powerfailure.
Fuval 404 - Micro bubble generator.
Koralin CA reactor- Not sure if it a marginal product or my inabilities to adjust.
GE drinking RO watersystem. Added DI stage with tee -
Dual stage TDS HM digital - not sure about items that say they don't ever need to be calibrated
Filter for aqua lifter
PFO HQI dual mag ballast - gets pretty hot, only reason not on the recommended list.
Lamotte test kit CA - for salt you have to dilute with RO.
Pin Point monitor - need an option AC power supply, not included. Batt. operated
Seatest test kit
Seio 820 and 1100. Had to replace an impeller on one of the 820s - good flow but haven't always restarted after powerfail. Need to vinegar soak them more than I would like.
Would not recommend:
- Dolphin 3000/3600 Main pump seal started leaking. It was easy enough to replace and cost $25 - bought 8-05, replaced seal 5-07 and have another backup seal on hand.
- Kent float value - used with ATO - I had to replace it, started leaking. I did replace it with another Kent float valve -LOL
Powersweep PHs
Won Pro Heat II - Had three go bad at the 1 year mark..
Seaclone 100 - save your money and add a few buck for better skimmer.

 

[azfishgal]

Originally Posted by azfishgal
:cheer: OK, this thread has been VERY helpful! Thanks so much zman! Anyone else have an opinion? I'm taking notes as I read and it's helping me get my equipment list together for my 125 gallon tank! The only thing I have not received any info on yet is what bulbs to get for my light fixtures that came with my tank. I have no idea what brand they are, but they are 22" long (about) and I have three of them. I want to get the better lighting, but don't have the extra cash to do it. So what's good for FOWLR? Will any fluorescent do until I can upgrade, or will a certain one work with my fixtures and still allow me to have hearty coral/anemones?
WOW! I've certainly come a long ways since this post.

I now have two 250W MHs 14K with Luminarc Reflectors. What was I thinking when I said FOWLR?!

Let's see......I have 15 corals and 1 anemone now!

 

[zman1]

azfishgal
Goals are reevaluated and modified all the time in this hobby.
Go ahead and add equipment that you have been thus for pleased having. Also, equipment that didn't perform to your expectation. This could be reevaluated and modified over time too.

 

[azfishgal]

Well, I don't have a long list as I like to keep things basic. Either that or I've just run out of cash.

Recommend:
36" Aqualight T5 Series 10K/actinics - These are good lights if you are not sure what you want for your tank. They are only around $45 each and I had mine for 5 months with zoos, torch, frogspawn, GSP, and Xenia. They all did well.
250W 14K MHs (coralvue bulbs) with IceCap ballasts and Mini-Luminarc Reflectors - I LOVE these lights because I only need two to cover my 6' tank. (My corals did well under my old lighs, but they are doing even better under these lights.)
Mini Aqualight 9" 10K/Actinic Compact Lamp - this is great for my refuge, small and compact
ASM G2 Protein Skimmer - bought mine here on SWF and it's been doing great for the 6 months I've had it up and running.
Hydor Koralia Poweheads #3 (850 gph) - I love these for my 6' tank, nice wide flow. I did have two that stopped working (one was a #2 for mixing my salt) but Hydor was very good about replacing them for me as they have a 24 month guarantee.
Little Giant Pump Quarium #4 (875 gph) - this pump has worked great for my tank.
I think that's it. I did a lot of research before buying anything and so far I havn't been sorry on what I bought.

 

[zman1]

Originally Posted by zman1
Would not recommend:
- Dolphin 3000/3600 Main pump seal started leaking. It was easy enough to replace and cost $25 - bought 8-05, replaced seal 5-07 and have another backup seal on hand.

I misquoted the pump model. It was a 1.5" output 3600 I bought. The pump I got came with a letter that indcated a production run issue with the 1.5 pump housings, so I got the 2" upgrade. They now market the same pump as 3600/4000. If you use the 1.5" reducers that comes with it then it's 3600 or 4000 with 2"

 

[fishycpa]

Please don't shoot!...for this big bump

 

[forddna]

Thank you for this thread!!!!!!

 

[zman1]

Thought I would revive this thread and update. Anyone else have anything to add?
-- added data to the hardware
List your experiences with equipment and how you would rate it.
Recommend to others:
+ Giessemann MegaChrome Coral DE 250W - $$ -really like the color
+ Ushio 10,000K DE 250W - Good bulb were my first MH bulbs
Icecap 440 and 660 ballast. reliable and runs cool to touch.
URI VHO bulbs
Maxi-Jet PHs - only had one go bad and expose 120V to tank and trip GFI, cord dry rot.
Penguin PHs - I think these are just as reliable as Maxi-jets. Oldest still working ones that ran at least 8 years
Salifert Test kits - Alk, CA, and N03
Lamotte test kit Alk
Lamotte test kit NO3
Emperor 400 filters - Just need normal maintenance
ASM G-4X skimmer
Mag 9.5 - Normal maintenance.
Mag 1 for PhosBan reactor - minimal maintenance.
Mag 5 and 7 for water change and top off.
ATO - JBJ - the best investment made, makes life so much easier.
Tom aqua lifter AW20
PFO DE Mini pendants
Pin Point pH controller
Sybon Refractometer
FSHOPPS external overflows
Rubbermaid Trashcans and AG tanks.
ARO Electronic MH 250W ballast - cool enough to hold - 15 months
Low cost DE pendant
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/265741/help-me-pick-a-ballast#post_2097236
Okay to Marginal performance:
Ushio 20,000K DE 250W - Not a bad bulb just didn't like the color- replaced at 6 months with the MegaChrome
New Wave 48 T5 HO 432W 8 bulb - Puts off way too much heat. Took it off after a few months on my 75 and put the VHOs back on. They are on the same link above.
AquaMedic SP3000 Dosing pump - It makes a gear popping noise if it stops and starts under a compression point. I think it will eventually strip gears.
Red Sea wave maker - Loses it's setting on powerfailure.
Fuval 404 - Micro bubble generator.
Koralin CA reactor- Not sure if it a marginal product or my inabilities to adjust.
GE drinking RO watersystem. Added DI stage with tee
Dual stage TDS HM digital - not sure about items that say they don't ever need to be calibrated
Filter for aqua lifter
PFO HQI dual mag ballast - gets pretty hot, only reason not on the recommended list.
Lamotte test kit CA - for salt you have to dilute with RO.
Pin Point monitor - need an option AC power supply, not included. Batt. operated
Seatest test kit
Seio 820 and 1100. Had to replace an impeller on one of the 820s - good flow but haven't always restarted after powerfail. Need to vinegar soak them more than I would like.
Would not recommend:
--Dolphin 3600/4000 Main pump seal started leaking. It was easy enough to replace and cost $25 - bought 8-05, replaced seal 5-07 and have another backup seal on hand. - 2008 I need to replace the seal again.
-- Kent float value - used with ATO - I had to replace it, started leaking. I did replace it with another Kent float valve. 2008 this one now leaks.
Powersweep PHs
Won Pro Heat II - Had three go bad at the 1 year mark. JUNK
Seaclone 100 - save your money and add a few buck for better skimmer.