Resources
Listed below are all items I use, or similar, in maintaining and running my own saltwater aquarium.
Please note that some of these are affiliate links and if you make a purchase through them, I might receive a small commission. This goes a long way to help me keep working at ‘The Salty Side’ and provide beginners with reliable information and advice when starting up their own saltwater tank.
Dried Seaweed (Nori) Clip
The clip holds nori in place. The clip part floats so if it happens to come loose, it is easy to retrieve. As I only have a wrasse and algae blenny in my frag tank, this clip is perfect. I would recommend a Gourmet Grazer for a larger saltwater tank.
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Nori is dried seaweed, the very same you use to make sushi. It is an excellent NATURAL source of proteins, vitamins, minerals and fibers. Algae eaters such as blennies, snails and tangs love it! You don’t need to spend a fortune on fish specific nori.
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Superglue gel is perfect for quickly adhering coral frags and fake coral to rock or frag plugs. No need for expensive reef glues.
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GripIt Plasterboard Fixings
GripIt plasterboard fixings are a great way to hang lights over an aquarium if you can’t use or find ceiling joists.
I have used them above my frag tank to support a 4.5Kg fluorescent light fixture and I am very confident with their holding ability.
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Tropic Marin NP-Bacto-Balance
A nutrient supplement that balances phosphates and nitrates which promotes healthy growth of corals.
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Carson MicroFlip 100 -250x LED Lighted Pocket Microscope
This a fantastic bit of kit for identifying micro-organisms such as cyanobacteria, diatom and dinoflagellates.
I used it in the identification and eradication of dino.
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Fauna Marin Dino X 250ml
I’ve used Dino X twice. The first time was unsuccessful, but once I understood that it should be used as part of a treatment, it did its job.
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ATI Aquaristik ICP-OES Aquarium water test
This is a lab grade water test. You will receive the package in the post. You will be required to fill the included vials and post them off for analysis.
After a few days you will be notified that you can view your results on your online account.
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Innovative Marine Gourmet Grazer
My preferred method of feeding Nori to herbivorous fish. The Gourmet Grazer is fantastic at reducing Nori waste, and limits your hand time in the water because it is magnetised.
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Microbacter7
As well as reducing nitrates, MicroBacter7 will help quickly cycle your tank.
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BrightWater Bio Media Ceramic Spheres
Used as a form of biological filtration in saltwater aquariums.
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Sera Siporax Bio Filter Medium
Another excellent form of biological filtration.
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Boxtech Biological Filtration
Great for increasing biological filtration in your saltwater aquarium. Made from ceramic, these blocks will help reduce nitrites and ammonia therefore increasing water quality.
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Inline TDS Meter
I wouldn’t be without a TDS meter. It connects to your RODI unit and lets you know your TDS output at a glance.
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Brightwell Aquatics AminOmega
AminOmega contains proteins, vitamins and essential fatty acids. It is particularly useful when trying to fight HLLE.
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Algae Scraper Tool
Made of stainless steel, this algae scraper tool with an extendable handle is a must for those hard-to-reach areas of glass that need cleaning.
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Kamoer F4 PRO Wifi 4 Channel Doser
Although it costs a bit more than most of the other dosing units on the market, it’s ease of use, color coding and the fact that it can be used in conjunction with an app, makes this far superior to cheap, entry level dosers.
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Salifert Nitrate (NO3)Test Kit
The test kit I use for testing nitrate levels in my reef tank.
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Salifert Magnesium (Mg)Test Kit
The test kit I use for testing magnesium levels in my reef tank.
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Salifert Calcium (Ca)Test Kit
The test kit I use for testing calcium levels in my reef tank.
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AcroPower by Two Little Fishies
Amino acids are essential for SPS coral as it helps them grow their skeletal structure. Your coral will thank you for it!
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Tropic Marin Original Balling Set
The 3 components used in the Balling method. This is the original Balling Method product and is the only one under direct supervision of Hans-Werner Balling.
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Red Sea Reef Foundation ABC
This pack includes the 3 major elements KH, Ca and Mg, each in a 250ml bottle.
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This pack contains calcium, magnesium and Carbonate mix, as well as trace elements, holding canisters and connection hoses.
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Aquaforest Component 1+, 2+ 3+ Major Elements & Trace Supplements
The Aquaforest balling kit contains 3 x 5L containers.
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Aquatic Experts Refractometer Calibration Fluid
As you only need a few drops each time you calibrate your refractometer, this bottle will last an extremely long time.
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Red Sea Trace Colours
Includes 4 individual bottles containing trace elements.
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Brightwell Aquatics Replenish Trace Liquid.
Unique complex that replaces trace and minor elements
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Tropic Marin All-For-Reef Trace Element Supplement
A highly concentrated solution for the supply of ALL essential minerals and trace elements in new or moderately stocked reef aquariums
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Flux Rx - Bryopsis and Green Hair Algae Treatment
For treatment of Green Hair Algae and Bryopsis.
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Rowaphos phosphate removal media
ROWAphos is the most effective phosphate remover on the market today. Originally developed in Germany to reduce Phosphates in the Main Water Supply.
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Red Sea NO3:PO4-X Algae Management Supplement
For treatment of Green Hair Algae and Bryopsis.
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