What do I need to buy for reef tank?

[thang45]

Hello everyone,
I have purchased so far the following items:
90gal
250W HQI Light
Skimmer MSX200
Red Sea Salt 200gal
Koralia Water Circulation Pumps
I want to keep fish and corals, what else do I need to buy?
Sale associate told me to buy the following items, but I'm not sure if I need them or not.
Pro-Buffer dKH
Master Liquid Test Kit Saltwater
Reef Master Test Kit Liquid Test Kit
Reef Complete 250 ml
Reef Plus 250 ml
IO Hydrometer
PhytoPlex Phytoplankton
ZooPlex Invertebrate Foods
Can anyone recommend anything else I need to buy?
also need to create Refugium, what brand of mud do I need to buy?
Any help is greatly appreciated

 

[nycbob]

liverocks and sand u will need. u dont need mud for the fuge, just cheato. the lighting, u will need 2x250w hqi. a refractometer for sg.

 

[thang45]

Originally Posted by nycbob
http:///forum/post/2787774
liverocks and sand u will need. u dont need mud for the fuge, just cheato. the lighting, u will need 2x250w hqi. a refractometer for sg.
No mud, what is cheato?
I need refractometer? what is sg?
BTW, I forgot to mention that I have 2x250W HQI light.

 

[kevin34]

chaeto is a type of algae that helps removes nitrates. You can put it in your sump or refugium with a small light over it. You will need a refractometer and measure the sg which is the salinity level.

 

[thang45]

Originally Posted by Kevin34
http:///forum/post/2788732
chaeto is a type of algae that helps removes nitrates. You can put it in your sump or refugium with a small light over it. You will need a refractometer and measure the sg which is the salinity level.
Hi Kevin,
Thank for the update.
So I don't need Carib Sea Refugium Mineral Mud?
I cannot find chaeto anywhere, can you guys show me?
Is the hydrometer the same as the refractometer? BigAls told me to buy Sybon Refractometer.
Should I get the complete stuff above or indiviual?
Example:
Kent Marine TECH Iodine
Kent Marine Pro Buffer
Kent Marine Tech Magnessium

 

[spiderwoman]

You are well on your way for a reef

I do have Miracle Mud in the 150g reef's refugium with cheato, caulerpa and xenia and free floating nitrates in the tank are undetectable.
Get the refractometer and your list is great.

 

[kevin34]

ya refractometers are MUCH more reliable than hydrometers. They are a little more money but well worth it. Cheato is an algae and you probably wont be able to find it online unless you buy from someone here on the boards in the live selling/trading section. You might be able to find it at a local fish store. I would also suggest getting an RO/DI unit

 

[nycbob]

this site sells cheato for 8.99. most good lfs should hv it too.

 

[thang45]

Originally Posted by SpiderWoman
http:///forum/post/2788800
You are well on your way for a reef

I do have Miracle Mud in the 150g reef's refugium with cheato, caulerpa and xenia and free floating nitrates in the tank are undetectable.
Get the refractometer and your list is great.
Thank you. I’m still a little lost, but hopefully that will change. I learned a lot so far thanks to everyone on this forum
Is the Sybon Refractometer a good brand or I should look at something else?
.
Originally Posted by Kevin34
http:///forum/post/2788833
ya refractometers are MUCH more reliable than hydrometers. They are a little more money but well worth it. Cheato is an algae and you probably wont be able to find it online unless you buy from someone here on the boards in the live selling/trading section. You might be able to find it at a local fish store. I would also suggest getting an RO/DI unit
If cheato can help I would definitely buy it.
BTW, I have a Pinnacle Series RO Units 3 stage (35Gal) a day unit. Is 3 stage good corals?
Originally Posted by nycbob
http:///forum/post/2788861
this site sells cheato for 8.99. most good lfs should hv it too.
Is that $8.99 per lb?

 

[thang45]

Any items I can live without?
a) Kent Pro Buffer Dkh
b) Kent Tech-I Iodine
c) Kent Liquid Calcium
d) Kent Tech-m magnesium
e) Kent ZooPlex Marine Plankton
f) Kent Phytoplex Plankton
g) Brightwell Phytogold-M - Phytoplankton Suspension (8-20µm)
h) Reef Complete
i) Reef Plus

 

[thang45]

Another question.
Which Refractometer should I get.
a) Portable Refractometer
b) Sybon Refractometer
c) other?

 

[spiderwoman]

You can live without the whole list of supplements until you really need any of them. Most of the time a good water change will replenish everything. Plankton need is dependent on what type of fish and corals you have so save your money on that.
My refractometer is a basic one that is temp adjusted. Got it for under $50. Blue box with words *hand held refractometer* and a sticker with number *RHSN-10ATC*. No idea of the manufacturer.

 

[natclanwy]

I would skip all the additives for now get the test kits and buy what you need once you get the tank cycled and start adding livestock to supplement the parameters that are lacking. Most of mine are kept in check just through water changes I only need to supplement calcium and DKH. I would skip the plankton foods also as you won't need them for some time. Most corals don't need food supplements and will be fine without them, I would concentrate on keeping all of your parameters stable as you add livestock and once you get a good handle on that then experiment with adding food supplements. Supplements are an easy way to overfeed your tank causing nitrate and phosphate issues.
Most refractometers are basically the same there are some minor differences between models but nothing worth noting other than Automatic temperature compensation. As long as you choose a model with ATC then you will be fine and you should be able to find a decent one between $30-$40.

 

[thang45]

Originally Posted by SpiderWoman
http:///forum/post/2788952
You can live without the whole list of supplements until you really need any of them. Most of the time a good water change will replenish everything. Plankton need is dependent on what type of fish and corals you have so save your money on that.
My refractometer is a basic one that is temp adjusted. Got it for under $50. Blue box with words *hand held refractometer* and a sticker with number *RHSN-10ATC*. No idea of the manufacturer.

Good then I will just get the refractometer and mud for now.
Thank you

 

[thang45]

Do I need both of these or just one?
Master Liquid Test Kit Saltwater
Reef Master Test Kit Liquid Test Kit

 

[kogle]

Originally Posted by SpiderWoman
http:///forum/post/2788952
You can live without the whole list of supplements until you really need any of them. Most of the time a good water change will replenish everything. Plankton need is dependent on what type of fish and corals you have so save your money on that.
My refractometer is a basic one that is temp adjusted. Got it for under $50. Blue box with words *hand held refractometer* and a sticker with number *RHSN-10ATC*. No idea of the manufacturer.
That's the exact refractometer I've got and LOVE it.

+1 on no chemicals. Water changes will do you more good...
Good luck and get us some pictures. We addicts need our fix!!!

 

[spiderwoman]

If you want to spend the money on tests, I'd go with Salifert. They don't have a Master kit per say, but all are individuals. I even bought the Instant Ocean Master kit and was using it to test my water. I thought it was pretty accurate, but now prefer the Salifert line.

 

[gatorwpb]

definitely skip all those additives for now. You need to go through the cycle for a few weeks at least and certainly no additives are necessary during that time. (if ever).
Id second the recommendation for Salifert test kits. They are available on this site. You need Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, pH, Calcium, Alkalinity. Also, get a thermometer and heater.
What sixe is the fuge? Are you having one built?

 

[thang45]

Originally Posted by KOgle http:///forum/post/2789001
That's the exact refractometer I've got and LOVE it.

+1 on no chemicals. Water changes will do you more good...
Good luck and get us some pictures. We addicts need our fix!!!
I was not sure if the items above are necessary, I would avoid it if possible. I have been keeping Discus for 4 years now and I don’t think I ever add chemicals to play with PH. The only chemical I use is prime, which remove chlorine, chloramine and ammonia.
Originally Posted by SpiderWoman http:///forum/post/2789002
If you want to spend the money on tests, I'd go with Salifert. They don't have a Master kit per say, but all are individuals. I even bought the Instant Ocean Master kit and was using it to test my water. I thought it was pretty accurate, but now prefer the Salifert line.
I never heard of them, but if they are good then I would like to get it.
Originally Posted by GatorWPB http:///forum/post/2789082
definitely skip all those additives for now. You need to go through the cycle for a few weeks at least and certainly no additives are necessary during that time. (if ever).
Id second the recommendation for Salifert test kits. They are available on this site. You need Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, pH, Calcium, Alkalinity. Also, get a thermometer and heater.
What sixe is the fuge? Are you having one built?
7 test kits total, I though there were more?
I’m currently working on a 36 x 12 x 20 tank as my sump.
Please look at my last post and let me know if I’m on the right track. I wanted to modify the image created by “wattsupdoc” and add bio balls on the left side beside the skimmer. I currently working on another sump design and will post picture soon for advise.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/336289/diy-sump-for-my-90gal

 

[thang45]

Originally Posted by GatorWPB
http:///forum/post/2789082
definitely skip all those additives for now. You need to go through the cycle for a few weeks at least and certainly no additives are necessary during that time. (if ever).
Id second the recommendation for Salifert test kits. They are available on this site. You need Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, pH, Calcium, Alkalinity. Also, get a thermometer and heater.
What sixe is the fuge? Are you having one built?

I looked at this site and I can only find Nitrite and Nitrate. How about the others?