The Salty Side: Saltwater Aquariums for Beginners

Resources

Resources

Listed below are all items I use, or similar, in maintaining and running my own saltwater aquarium.  

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Two Little Fishies Veggiemag Seaveggie Clip Accessory

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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Two Little Fishies ATLSVGS2 Sea Veg-Green Seaweed, 0.4-Ounce

Nori

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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Loctite 1906107 Super Glue Ultra Gel Minis, Clear, 3-0.03 Oz. Squeeze Tubes Per, 1 Pack

Loctite Superglue Gel

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 GRP188 Red Plasterboard Fixings 18mm (Pack 8), 8-pk, 8 Count

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 100x-250x, LED UV Pocket Microscope with Smartphone Clip, STEM Education (MP-250)

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.

 

ATI ICP-OES Complete Saltwater Water Test Kit

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 Gadget Grazer PRO - Magnetic Seaweed Feeder

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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Brightwell Aquatics MicroBacter7 Complete Bioculture for Fish Tank or Aquarium - Populates Biological Filter Media for Saltwater and Freshwater Fish - Aquarium Water Treatments, 16.9 fl oz

Microbacter7

As well as reducing nitrates, MicroBacter7 will help quickly cycle your tank.  

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CerMedia MarinePure 1.5-Inch Sphere Bio-Filter Media for Marine and Freshwater Aquariums, 2-Quart

BrightWater Bio Media Ceramic Spheres

Used as a form of biological filtration in saltwater aquariums.

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sera Siporax Professional 15 mm 500 mL, 5.1 oz. Aquarium Filter Accessories

Sera Siporax Bio Filter Medium

Another excellent form of biological filtration. 

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boxtech Aquarium Filter Media Bio Ceramic Brick Bio Filter Media for Salt Fresh Water Aquarium Canister Filter Pond, High Flow Rate Support Biological Filtration

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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TDS Meter, 3 in 1 TDS, EC & Temperature Meter, Drinking Water PPM Meter, Digital Water Testing kits, no Installation Needed

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 - Amino & Omega - 3/6 HUFA Supplement for All Marine Fish & Reef Aquariums

Brightwell Aquatics AminOmega

AminOmega contains proteins, vitamins and essential fatty acids.  It is particularly useful when trying to fight HLLE. 

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SunGrow Aquarium Glass Cleaner

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 Doser

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 Test Kit

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

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 - 50 to 100 Tests

Salifert Calcium (Ca)Test Kit

The test kit I use for testing calcium levels in my reef tank.  

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Two Little Fishies AcroPower Amino Acids for SPS Corals - 500 mL

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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Fauna Marin Balling Light Set

This pack contains calcium, magnesium and Carbonate mix, as well as trace elements, holding canisters and connection hoses.

 

Aquaforest Component 1+, 2+ 3+ Major Elements & Trace Supplements

The Aquaforest balling kit contains 3 x 5L containers.

 

Two Little Fishies ATLPBR150 GFO PhosBan Reactor 150

Two Little Fishies Phosban Filter Media Reactor

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Triton Labs ICP-OES Water Test- Full Panel of 32 Elements - Saltwater Reef Testing Kit

Triton Labs ICP-OES Seawater Analysis Test Kit

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Salinity Refractometer for Seawater and Marine Fishkeeping Aquarium 0-100 PPT with Automatic Temperature Compensation

Refractometer (for saltwater aquariums)

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AccuBrate Refractometer and Hydrometer Salinity Calibration Fluid – Solution to Accurately Calibrate Refractometer and Hydrometer for Testing Natural Saltwater or Synthetic Sea Water (60 ml)

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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Caribsea Life Rock, 40-Pound

Caribsea Life Rock

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Red Sea Fish Pharm ARE22040 4-Pack Coral Colors ABCD Supplements for Aquarium, 100ml

Red Sea Trace Colours

Includes 4 individual bottles containing trace elements. 

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Brightwell Aquatics Replenish - Advanced Trace and Minor Element Supplement for Marine Fish and Reef Aquarium 500-ml

Brightwell Aquatics Replenish Trace Liquid.

Unique complex that replaces trace and minor elements

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Tropic Marin All for Reef 1000mL, Easy to Use Solution, No Mixing, No Gas Cylinders, No Fuss

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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Blue Life Reef Flux 7000MG

Flux Rx - Bryopsis and Green Hair Algae Treatment

For treatment of Green Hair Algae and Bryopsis.

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D-D RP-100 ROWAphos Phosphate Removal Media - 1000 ml/2.2 lbs

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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