What was the best thing you did/bought for your tank?

I have learned patience. I have also learned you can survive 110 volts while standing in saltwater bare foot. Please take my word and do not try this at home...

 

The best thing/upgrade I have gotten for my tank is my T5's 6 x 54 over my 90 gallon.  Before that I had some really lame PC's.  I can keep anything I want with my T5's and have mainly LPS some SPS and two clams on my sandbed.
The second important change I made in my tank was getting enough flow.  I have a Gen X 40 on my sump return with two MJ1200 mods and one Tunze 6045 in my tank.  Prior to that I had two Koralia #4's and I really loved them, but they both took a pooper on me about 6 months after I got them.  All the "experts" talk about how flow is a super important component in reefkeeping.

 

The best thing I did was researching everything from methodologies to equipment.

 

After re-reading the first question.... The best thing I have bought for my tank and hobby experiance is my club membership. I know it sounds corny, but I learn so much from everyone on here and at our meetings I would have to say it is $20 a year well spent.

 

Remembering that good things never happen fast, and bad things happen faster then I typed this sentence.

Take your time and research every purchase/change you make for/to your tank. Ask questions as often as you can.

As far as single best investment, I would be torn between the proper flow and proper lighting for my tanks. Most bang for the buck was adding a sump/refugium to my system. A $30 tank, $10 worth of glass and silicone, and some free chaeto made the biggest long term change for my tanks.

 

I upgraded my skimmer from an AquaC Urchin rated for 75 gallons to an ASM G3 rated for more than twice that. All my algae problems went away.

 

Created a custom flow system for my tank.  3 In tank pumps with PVC and loc line.  One coming up through the reef then one on either side.  Also bought a Solaris light system which now makes all my corals very happy.

 

ohh....tell me about that Solaris, what size and what did it cost if you don't mind sharing.

 

Posted By RobynT on 11/12/2007 12:53 PM
ohh....tell me about that Solaris, what size and what did it cost if you don't mind sharing.
I hava a 48" Solaris H4.  Got a pretty good deal on it.  Since PFO was about to release their new I4 series I found a guy on ebay who owned a store willing to part with is 3 month old H4 display model for 1750.00 because he wanted to display the I4.  Great light light of love all the advantages to this light system.
Sunset
Sunrise
completely customizable light levels(both blue and white).
Cloud cover simulation.
28 moon rotation setting.
These things put off almost no heat at all you can touch the underside of the light and it doesn't even feel warm.

 

Any pictures?  It sounds like you got an awesome deal.  I had been waiting to hear from someone that actually owns one of these units.  Not that I can afford one anytime soon!

 

im liking my reef octopus skimmer, i started running it a few days ago and it wasnt doing anything. today i got home and it has at least a quart of nasty green gunk in it.
something about a big skimmer just makes me feel more manley.
i had big worrys about making my own rock after reading posts a while back about one of the ingredients i used leaching phosphate into the water(crushed oyster shell). i dont know if its true, but it worries me.
i got in on that two part order and got some GFO not even knowing what it was used for, everyone was getting it so i figured i needed some too.
im glad it didnt go to something i needed to buy that cost 300.00, i woulda felt pretty stupid.
but i got a phosban reactor,38 bucks 20 after rc discount and free shipping, so that got rid of the oyster shell worry.
i think my biggest luckout was getting 3 blueline ballasts from aqua direct after they made a blunder.
they had magnetic ballasts on their website on sale buy 3 for 99 bucks, well the item was discontinued a long time ago, they still had them for sale, it took 2 months for them to finally figure it out after talking to them 20 times oon the phone and waiting forever.
to compensate they gave me 3 electronic ballasts with quick connect harnesses for something like 69.00 a peice.
regular 169.00.
i think the best thing i did for it was buy a better skimmer.

 

The best thing I did for my tank was to tear it down so I can start over with a much better setup!  /site/DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/_default/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Also don't EVER try putting your contacts in after your hands were in the tank! /site/DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/_default/emoticons/crazy.gif

 

My skimmer is definately on my list of improvements that really make the difference.  I have an Octopus NW150.