Reef gear picks

Short lists for the gear that actually changes how a tank runs. Each category has a budget, a value, and a premium pick — chosen for a reason we'll explain, not because a vendor paid for placement. Prices are approximate and links go to Amazon.

• Test kits

  11 picksAlkalinity, calcium, magnesium, phosphate — titration vs. colorimeter.

• Dosing reagents

  13 picksTwo-part, all-in-one, and the pharma-grade dry chemicals behind them.

• Reef lights

  4 picksAI Prime to Radion — matched to coral type and tank footprint.

• Return pumps

  2 picksAC reliability vs. DC controllability for the heart of a sump system.

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Last reviewed 2026-09-30