For a reef tank, do I need all these equipments?

Someone suggested that I get protein skimmer, reactor and the hangon refugium. Are these all necessary? It seems like my tank is going well just with live rocks and a power filter.

 

Thats how most of us start that dont have a fat wallet. we gradually buy better things cause they work better. If you have plenty of LR it will help filter and go with what works for you and dont put yourself in the poor house and take your time.

 

Really depends on what/how much you have in the tank, etc. I would say yes to the protein skimmer. I could never really keep my tank going well until I got mine. But I do not have a reactor or a refugium. If you go with a refugium, put one in with a sump, don't get one of the HOB models

 

I agree with the skimmer, they are actually very important and allow you increase your bioload. The HOB refugium is not nor is a reactor. However, if you are not running carbon in your filter, start to, or get a reactor for the carbon.

 

I would actually say if you got a fuge to have it separate from your sump. Two different entities, as it were. For advice on plumbing everything, you might see these videos:

YouTube - Brandon's 72 Gallon Reef - Equipment Info - Part 1
YouTube - Brandon's 72 Gallon Reef - Equipment Info - Part 2

Yes they are mine but I have gotten a couple comments on them that leads me to believe that they are pretty informative when it comes to incorporating things like that. Not trying to toot my own horn, other members on here have outstanding videos as well, but I just figured I could toss them out there. Cheers!!

 

skimmer is the best thing you can get IMO. I wouldn't do a tank without one.

 

I'd never recommend a SW tank without a good skimmer. As far as the fuge and reactors they aren't 100% required but they are handy as they can help you cut down on water changes and all together eliminate dosing of chemicals though I think when I did the math it was like 3 years for my calc reactor to pay for itself without me buying chemicals anymore.

 

thank you for the great responses.