Single best change to your tank. A discussion.

[prattreef]

I think he probably meant directionality, but that too is a non-issue in all but the widest tanks as the flow pattern is very wide and the spread is unlike any other pump.

 

[James]

Ah, I understand what he meant. Direction is not flow though . I agree with you that regardless of words used, it is a moot point for most tanks due to the width of the flow on the Vortechs. I think Wes put it best; if you want the best you have to be ready to pay for it.

 

[guarda]

i know this isn't a fair comparison but had a koralia evo 425 and the flow was so so. put an mp20 in and on the most basic and lowest setting, all my lr gets flow from all around. don't really see any dead spots in my 20g cube. imo worth the extra bucks

 

[chinatown]

getting rid of the koralias for the Vortechs. ATI light fixture. Adding a sump.

 

[pyekhine]

what i mean is it doesn't look like the direction of the flow can be changed because half of the unit is in the tank and the other half is on the outside. I'm sure there must be something that they do better than everybody. I'm just wondering if it cost that much to make a power head.

 

[guarda]

During my limited experience in this hobby, I've come to realize that Ecotech have INCREDIBLE customer service, which is almost as important to me as the product itself.

 

[LaurieC]

I only started in Aug. with a 55 FOWLR and am now moving to a 90 Reef so I'm anticipating a load of new best things including moving to a sump rather than canisters. But until new tank is set up, my Spectrapure RO/DI unit is the best thing yet. No more wondering about the DI unit and no more trips to the store for water.

 

[OOtzie]

Because i tend to feed my corals quite a bit I would have to say using "Special Blend" has been a great way to keep my tank in check from excess nutrients.

I'm getting a second resurgence of brown algae on the sand because I took it out and just added it back after a week, this doesnt bother me its the bubbles all over my rock (could it be bubble algae?) and the hairy type of brown on some rock, which I dont know the name of. Would special blend help with this?

 

[dnreef]

The best thing I did for my tank was finally get a 5 chamber RODI system. Up until then I was buying the water at Pets Warehouse. Now I can do regular 10-15% weekly water changes without having to lug around buckets of water. Second thing I did was go to the ESV salt. My water quality/clarity and the colors of my corals have improved dramatically.

 

[E.intheC]

I'm getting a second resurgence of brown algae on the sand because I took it out and just added it back after a week, this doesnt bother me its the bubbles all over my rock (could it be bubble algae?) and the hairy type of brown on some rock, which I dont know the name of. Would special blend help with this?

I wouldn't use special blend or any type of additive. That only masks the issue and doesn't actually fix the cause. You have to test your parameters. There is an abundance of nutrients in the system.

 

[anen]

The best thing for me was adding sps frags that browned or died. This made me figure out all the problems with my tank :splitspin

 

[D1J8Z]

I think with each different tank comes different requirements and there is no ONE thing that will make your tank perfect.
Besides picking out a tank and sump(keep in mind step 4) these are the next steps I would take keep in mind there are many options for each step but the right choice will always come down to what inhabitants you plan to keep.

Step 1. R/O/ system
Step 2. Lights
Step 3. Flow
Step 4. Skimmer
Step 5. phosban/carbon reactors

 

[E.intheC]

I think with each different tank comes different requirements and there is no ONE thing that will make your tank perfect.
Besides picking out a tank and sump(keep in mind step 4) these are the next steps I would take keep in mind there are many options for each step but the right choice will always come down to what inhabitants you plan to keep.

Step 1. R/O/ system
Step 2. Lights
Step 3. Flow
Step 4. Skimmer
Step 5. phosban/carbon reactors

Of course. That's like saying "buy good equipment"... The point of this thread isn't to find the actual "one" thing for everyone.. just looking for trends and to reinforce good habits.

 

[D1J8Z]

I understand, I am recommending people to review the steps and consider what they maybe skipped and that should help.

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

I understand, I am recommending people to review the steps and consider what they maybe skipped and that should help.

+1, i went backwards when i started and cost me double

 

[seldin]

I think with each different tank comes different requirements and there is no ONE thing that will make your tank perfect.
Besides picking out a tank and sump(keep in mind step 4) these are the next steps I would take keep in mind there are many options for each step but the right choice will always come down to what inhabitants you plan to keep.

Step 1. R/O/ system
Step 2. Lights
Step 3. Flow
Step 4. Skimmer
Step 5. phosban/carbon reactors

I think this is really smart to review your equipment, etc. I started out years ago converting from FOWLR and bought my conversion equipment in piece meal, over a long period of time. Each time, I upgraded one of the above, my tank improved a lot.

Saved myself much headaches, the 2nd time around, when I bought a nano tank, and had made sure the above equipment was in place at the start. No pain and lot's gain, by doing it right the first time ( on the 2nd go around). Truly, getting "the above equipment" in place from the start, is really great advice....

 

[Mattl22]

I agree with that unfortunately because of $ Im still trying to get some of the better equipment for my tank like 2 vortecs also need some new lights


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[seldin]

Matt,

That is what MR is for. I got a great deal a while back on my tank, lighting, skimmer, etc. Saved a bundle over "new price". I think my contacts at LFS are great, but I use both ( LFS and MR contacts...).

 

[polywise]

best for me was modifying my calcium reactor to allow PH control, and lots of flow... besides closed loop ,and seas wirls, I added (6) tunze 6201's to my 280. Corals were very happy.

 

[E.intheC]

polywise, do you have an SPS dominate tank? (I'm assuming because of the calcium reactor and increased flow...:lol2