#1,572 in Pet Supplies
Reddit mentions of Prime HD+ Aqua Illumination Aquarium LED Compact Fixture, Black
Sentiment score: 2
Reddit mentions: 2
We found 2 Reddit mentions of Prime HD+ Aqua Illumination Aquarium LED Compact Fixture, Black. Here are the top ones.
or
100 Max PAR vs 64 for the non HD versionBuilt in WIFI control via smart phone or web browserHD dynamically adjusts power available to each color, borrowing power from the colors you're not utilizing
Specs:
| Color | Black |
| Height | 5 Inches |
| Length | 5 Inches |
| Width | 5 Inches |
It's a bit unclear what your experience level is. You mention "upping my game" but then say it's a "starter" tank.
I have a 2.5 gallon Fluval Spec III which has been running for about a year so I can give you some insights.
A refractometer is an excellent tool to invest in and will help you make accurate measurements.
Any salt mix that advertises as being "reef" formulated is probably fine, I seriously doubt there are big differences between brands.
Aim to do a 30-50% water change every week. Even if you slack off you will still generally end up doing it every 2 weeks which is a good pace. Water changes are essential to replenish trace elements and remove wastes.
For smaller tanks, Cobalt Neo-Therm Heaters are a good choice and have a slim profile. 50 watts is plenty for a 5.5 gallon tank (I have a 25 watt).
Get a two glass thermometers, one for the "display" of the tank and one for the rear chamber. Check them daily.
Get a suite of SALTWATER SPECIFIC test kits that cover pH, Nitrates, Nitrites, Ammonia, Calcium, and Carbonate Hardness (alkalinity). Test strips are nice to have for spot checks but are not to be relied upon. The only parameters I actually check regularly are pH, Calcium, and Alkalinity. Once the tank is stable, other parameters are unlikely to fluctuate much between water changes.
Invest in a good light! Seriously, it's one of the most important pieces of equipment so don't skimp out. You could get away with something like this if your corals aren't picky (I did for months with this light and it actually grew SPS alright) or a dodgy Chinese LED fixture from eBay, but I recommend something like the AI Prime HD (which I just upgraded to). It has built-in wifi control so you can set things like color temperature, auto timing, and weather patterns.
For a small tank, an auto top off (ATO) is essential. I have a Smart ATO Micro and I love it, works perfectly. Without an ATO your water will evaporate, your salinity will fluctuate, you can't risk leaving it alone for more than a day, and if you neglect it your pumps might even run dry and destroy themselves. Trust me, this is $124 well spent.
Upgrade your return pump from stock. I put an AquaTop SWP360 in the back of my Spec III and it works really well, good flow and just the right size. In a 5.5 gallon tank you might get away without an additional powerhead for flow, but I'd recommend a small (small) powerhead for good measure. (Pro tip: repurpose the stock return pump for that!)
What else...
Get GFCI power strips so that you don't electrocute yourself.
If you're getting a Fluval Spec III or V, consider investing in this excellent media basket.
Well that's some good advice to start from... let me know if you have questions.
http://imgur.com/NmBvujH.jpg
Thanks! You mentioned AI lighting, this is my dream light for this tank.
Prime HD+ Aqua Illumination Aquarium LED Compact Fixture, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HFIJBUO/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_HfUQBb4C17A5J
This is the rock I chose too - CaribSea LifeRock Shapes, 20 pounds https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0773W3LXV/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_ghUQBbZ1MGMNZ
It says 20 lbs but you literally get 30-40 lbs of aragonitic rock in a about 5-6 pieces (including caves and such.
Good luck to you and many updates to come.