All the things I did not think I would use or buy

[Bradders]

Funny, isn't it? When I got back into this hobby, there were things that I never thought I would purchase or do. These, for me, included:

• Purchase of a high-precision pipet for administering liquid chemicals.
• Purchase of a precision set of scales to measure powder and food quantities.
• Purchase and usage of an Inkbird Temperature Controller to prevent paranoia of temperature issues.
• Soaking a rock to see if it leaches and measuring with a purchased TDS meter.
• Reverse Osmosis water.

Anyone else find themselves buying and using stuff they did not expect?!

 

[AlecF]

leaves from Sri Lanka...

 

[John q]

leaves from Sri Lanka...

Lol, so I'm not the only one. 🤣

 

[si walker]

Scientific stuff that i really don't understand how to use properly, but like to record the results in a book like a bloody mad man!
TDS Meter . Water test kit.

I have several several Tweezers and Scissors ranging from cheap to expensive. Save money and buy expensive and buy once!

Clip on lights.
I love all my stuff and find any excuse to use it!

 

[castle]

I’m generally tricky to convince to buy things, as in I believe simplicity is key.

I then bought an ADA super jet, used it for about a week. Looks nice tho.

 

[MrClockOff]

I thought I would never have a skimmer as all of them looked so ugly and quite pointless until Oase CrystalSkim came out 😂

 

[MichaelJ]

Anyone else find themselves buying and using stuff they did not expect?!

Yes over the last like 4-5 years (and stuff I still use):

• TDS meters
• A microgram scale to measure out my DIY minerals and fertilizers (which was all new to me)
• ORP meter
• UV filters
• Automatic Feeders for when we travel
• Surface skimmers (which I no long use, but still would recommend)
• Timed, remote controlled and programmable light fixtures

Other than that its probably the opposite... Way more stuff that turned out to be useless or just didn't work - but I've been in the hobby for some 35-40 years.

Cheers,
Michael

 

[PeterBD]

Purchase and usage of an Inkbird Temperature Controller to prevent paranoia of temperature issues.

I use one of these (WiFi version). Great bit of kit.

 

[Bradders]

I use one of these (WiFi version). Great bit of kit.

Agreed. It scratches both the 'techie lover' aspect and protects the aquarium from damaging temperature issues.

If I could, I really would place everything online (lights, pumps, heating and chemistry balances) to monitor everything in one place and anywhere. I just love that stuff!

 

[Tim Harrison]

I don’t own anything fancy or laboratory grade. I’m old school, mostly just wing it when it comes to fertz, and don’t test. Don’t think I ever imagined I’d own a pair of wave or sprung scissors though.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
For me it was any canister filter.

I had underestimated just how annoying (other members of my family) might find the <"noise of the constant trickling from the over tank trickle filter">. Personally, I like the drip of water but I understand that wasn't a universal finding.

cheers Darrel

 

[sparkyweasel]

leaves from Sri Lanka...

 

[erwin123]

• Purchase of a high-precision pipet for administering liquid chemicals.
• Purchase of a precision set of scales to measure powder and food quantities.

After a few months, I stopped measuring and just went by number of 'pumps' for a bottle with a pump, or a visual estimate, in the case of adding solids like Epsom salts.

 

[aec34]

visual estimate, in the case of adding solids like Epsom salts.

Me too

But in the spirit of the OP I also find the fact I own massive tweezers hilarious.

 

[si walker]

Someone should totally start up AquaBay for second hand goods.
Update:
Alder Twigs.
Dennerle Yummy Gum. Just couldn't resist.