I didn’t know you can chat with ChatGPT and have it assist you. That’s really cool!!!
I want to give some run down to your list of items:
So:
Marineland Precision Heater, $15.59. There are better brands out there but yes, heater is needed.
This is meant to be used in my mixing bucket and QT tank, and function as an emergency spare as needed. I intend to control the two Fluval M150 heaters I already have for this tank with my Apex, primarily.
Salifert Phosphate Test Kit, $16.67 eventually need it
Salifert Nitrite Test Kit, $12.74 you really don’t need this but they do come in a package deal.
I figured I should be prepared to test all the things from the get-go, so I can do so as the whim strikes. I do try not to get too attached to parameters and test too often, but based on past and recent experience, I tend to test more often when a tank is new and stabilizing, while I'm figuring out how to tell what is going on with it via observation.
"Marineland Bio-Filter Balls, 90 Count", $8.49 Notnif you are using matrix. Which is better than this stuff
These are intended to occupy a small part of my return section and gather bacteria in preparation for transfer to a HOB filter used for QT so I have cycled media in it from the get go. Unlike matrix and ceramics, they can be properly cleaned and sterilized for re-use.
Geiserailie 15 Pieces Aquarium Filter Media Bags, $14.99. Get those carbon from redsea? That comes with media bags. Re-use em. You won’t use 15. I use 2 in 2 system. Gor activated carbons
Eh... I have 4 other fish tanks running at the moment, aside from this 50 I'm working on. I'm tired of washing, slicing up and emptying out old filter cartridges or using cut up pieces of pantyhose, etc. I may not need that many, could probably save a few bucks and get a few less, but this item actually is rather multi-purpose. I also preferred the size and shape of the SeaChem Matrix Carbon, and it's pretty well reviewed, especially for being low in leachates.
Seachem PhosNet Synthetic GFO - 50g, $11.64. Don’t need this unless you have phosphate issues and there are better way to go about it
I had phosphate pads in the cart, but swapped for this. Seems to be one of the better GFOs, and it was intended for emergency use, I hope to never need it.
ALEGI Aquarium Filter Media Foam Material, $15.9. Using as filter media for filter sock or filter rollers? Good stuff
Various uses throughout all my tanks, including as a pre-filter in front of my socks to reduce maintenance and fouling, as well as keep pesky inverts out of my overflows. Also going in my 'fuge to keep inverts (like lettuce sea slugs) out and in front of the fuge's pump in the return of my AIO.
"Alkaline Buffer, 300 g / 10.5 oz", $10.99 You should need this stuff
Should? Or shouldn't?
CURRENT USA eFlux Accessory Wave Flow Pump 1050 GPH, $79.99. There are better wave maker at cheaper price like hugger and he so
Yes, there are cheaper. However, I have a Current USA light fixture with integrated LOOP controller meant to run these pumps, and there are also FAR more expensive pumps, too. I've looked at the BRS review on it, I know it's a wide spread pattern, that in their tests seemed to fade halfway across their 6' test tank, but my tank is all of 35" across, and I think I'd prefer the cone to a "laser".
FritzZyme Turbo Start 900 Saltwater (4 oz), $25.49. This for cycling?
Yep. Live start: Water+Fritz on Day 01, three to four hardy starter corals on Day 02, one or two clowns and a neon goby on Day 03.
"Driveway Marker, Snow Stakes, 10 Pack", $9.99 idk what this is
These are for aquascaping, should I need them. Some pieces I may want to drill through and add a cut section of fiberglass stake and seal back over with mortar to ensure it's stable. I don't know that they'll be
necessary, but I can probably find other uses around my property... I could probably move them to the "later" list, and grab a few from Home Despot should I decide I need them, but they're a pretty good deal here compared to store prices.
Python No Spill Clean and Fill Water Change System, $43.99. I guess you have sink near by
Yep, several. There's actually two bathrooms and the laundry room all easily within 25', especially since I cut a hole through the wall of my office into the laundry room on the other side, giving me direct access to the drain for the washing machine, as well as the sink in there that I can hook the python up to easily - my RO/DI unit is also in there so I can just open the access panel and pull the line through to fill my ATO or tank from.
Fritz Aquatics Maracyn Oxy True Fungal Infection Relief, $24.99 idk, no need to stock up on medication unless you really need em
API MELAFIX Freshwater Fish Bacterial Infection Remedy, $14.38. Same
Fritz Maracyn - Gram-Positive Relief, $34.99 same
API General Cure 10-Count Box, $16.37 not sure what this is
Those years in the Boy Scouts sometimes results in me over-doing it with the whole "Be prepared" thing.
Admittedly, I have no intention of doing anything but the most cursory QT on my first fish for the tank, probably observation only. After all, it'll be brand new and empty, so they're as good as in QT anyway, and, at least as far as
this specific scenario goes, I trust my LFS enough to not be worried about it. All later adds WILL be QT'd though.
Speaking of which I need to add some coral dip to the cart...
Salifert Nitrate (No3) Test Kit, $17.37 will need this
Red Sea Marine Test Kit Magnesium, $30.0 probably use few times
Salifert Calcium (Ca) Test Kit, $15.99 probably use few times
Hanna HI772-26 REAGENTS (2 Pack), $34.99
All things that were recommended I have the ability to test, since you can't manage what you can't measure.
Red Sea Reef Energy Plus 250mL, $24.99 this amino stuff?
AB+ coral food. Yes, aminos, carbs, fats and vitamins.
Aquarium Choice Coral Feeder Long Syringe Tube, $18.99. Probably need ‘em
Yeah, and likely I'll find a lot more uses than just feeding corals, especially between all my other fish tanks (a 3.5g, a 10g, a 20g long, and a 29g bow).
AlgaeBarn 5280 Pods (Live Copepods), $44.99 (pretty dang expensive, others are out there). I used them before. Okay.
Yeah, definitely not the cheapest thing, but they seem to be the best reviewed/recommended for healthy, clean cultures. If GARF (R.I.P.) were still around I would just be ordering a bag of GARF Grunge and be done with it.
Carib Sea ACS00526 Mineral Mud Filter Media, $40.99. Probably good
Intended to go in the 14g remote "display refugium", under the sand.
GOYJOY Self Adhesive Aquarium Background, $12.98. Just paint it black or het one cheaper at Michael’s perhaps
It's to go on the custom-built drilled 14g fuge, which will be sitting right next to my tank. I wanted something that would come off pretty easy once I get the stand for it fully built out, but it
could go to the "later" list and I could probably improvise something.
CaribSea Seaflor Special Grade Reef Sand (4x 15lb. bags), $119.96 (total)
I wanted to do black sand. I have some, even. But, I have numerous concerns. The stuff I have I fear is too coarse and sharp for things like a pink wrasse and fighting conch. The CaribSea stuff has too many reports of aluminum and silica contamination originating from it. So, much as I REALLY want black sand, unless/until someone can set my mind at ease, I think I'm going to have to wind up going with plain old white sand I'll need to buy.
Tropic Marin High Precision Hydrometer, $36.65 most people either pick hydrometer or refractometer.
I've heard arguments for and against both types. I figured maybe it wouldn't hurt to have both for a "second opinion", or if I don't want to deal with one or the other that day for some reason.
.
AlgaeBarn also lists the item on Amazon as "Apocalypse pods", iirc, to be fair.
