BRS Recommended Staff Favorites: Reef Gear We Trust
There are a lot of aquarium products out there, but some pieces of gear earn a permanent spot in your routine. These are the products that solve real problems, make aquarium maintenance easier, or simply perform well enough that we keep reaching for them again and again.
We asked Josh, Ashley, and Will to share some of their favorite BRS Recommended products. Their picks cover everything from routine maintenance and testing to nutrient control, feeding, and reef lighting.
Josh's Picks
Given his background taking care of dozens of tanks around the BRS office, it's no surprise that Josh's favorites focus heavily on making reef tank maintenance and testing easier. Even if you have just one tank at home, these picks are well worth considering.
Hanna Alkalinity Checker
Keeping alkalinity stable is one of the most important parts of maintaining a successful reef tank, which makes regular testing especially important. The Hanna Alkalinity Checker simplifies testing by replacing traditional color matching with a digital reading.
For Josh, the biggest advantage is how quick and easy it is to use. A simple testing process makes it easier to check alkalinity regularly and catch changes before they become larger problems.
Sicce UltraZero Utility Pump
The Sicce UltraZero is one of those tools that might not be the most exciting piece of aquarium equipment, but it can make maintenance significantly easier. The pump can remove water down to roughly 2mm, making it especially useful for draining sumps, reservoirs, and water change stations.
It also uses a standard garden hose connection, which makes it compatible with the Python No Spill Water Change System.
Python No Spill Water Change System
Pairing the Sicce UltraZero with a Python No Spill Water Change System creates a convenient setup for moving water during routine maintenance. The Python gives you a simple way to move water where it needs to go without constantly carrying buckets back and forth.
For larger aquariums, sumps, or dedicated water change stations, the combination can take a lot of the manual work out of the equation.
BRS Citric Acid
BRS Citric Acid is another simple product that can make aquarium maintenance considerably easier. Pumps and other equipment naturally develop calcium deposits and coralline algae over time, and citric acid helps break that buildup down during cleaning.
Soaking equipment in a citric acid solution can make stubborn deposits much easier to remove, helping reduce the amount of scrubbing needed to get pumps and other gear clean again.
Ashley's Picks
Ashley is one of the newer reefers on the team and has quickly gotten up to speed thanks to her HelloReef Clownfish & Anemone Kit pick. She also calls out some other practical tools and foods she regularly uses to maintain her tank.
HelloReef Clownfish & Anemone Aquarium Kit
Setting up a first reef aquarium can feel overwhelming when you're trying to figure out which pieces of equipment you actually need. The HelloReef Clownfish & Anemone Aquarium Kit simplifies that process by combining the core equipment needed to get started into one complete package.
The kit also includes an in-depth educational video series that walks new hobbyists through setup, maintenance, and the basics of building a successful reef. The compact size also makes it a great option for experienced hobbyists interested in setting up a nano reef.
Flipper Float Nano
The Flipper Float Nano is designed specifically for smaller aquariums.
Its compact size makes it easy to move around tight spaces, while the appropriately sized magnet helps remove algae from the glass. If the inside portion becomes disconnected, it floats to the surface instead of sinking behind the aquascape. No more wet hands!
Benereef Coral Food
Feeding a reef can become a balancing act when you're also trying to keep nitrate and phosphate under control. Benereef is one of Ashley's favorites because it gives her a way to feed the aquarium while still keeping nutrient management in mind.
It's a useful option for hobbyists who want to feed corals without feeling like every feeding is working against their water quality goals.
Will's Picks
Will's selections focus on equipment that can make a major difference in how a reef tank looks and operates. His favorites include nutrient export, glass cleaning, and one of the most capable reef lighting platforms available.
Adaptive Reef Blade Hybrid Algae Reactor
For Will, the Adaptive Reef Blade Hybrid Algae Reactor completely replaced the need for a traditional refugium. Instead of encouraging algae to grow in the display aquarium, the reactor provides a dedicated place for algae growth where it can be harvested and removed.
This gives nuisance algae a place to grow outside the display while also creating a simple and natural way to export nutrients from the system.
Flipper Shine Glass Cleaning Spray
Clean aquarium glass can make a surprisingly big difference in how a reef looks. Flipper Shine is designed with aquariums in mind and gives you a simple way to clean the outside of the glass without leaving streaks behind.
The fine mist helps prevent dripping, and the reef-safe formula makes it convenient for cleaning around an established aquarium.
EcoTech Marine Radion XR30 LED Light Fixture
The Radion is Will's go-to light for a wide range of reef aquariums. Its combination of output, programmability, and flexibility makes it capable of supporting demanding reef tanks while still giving hobbyists plenty of control over how their aquarium looks.
The XR30 also supports accessories that let you fine-tune the lighting setup. High-intensity options can help increase light penetration, while a diffuser can soften the appearance of the light and reduce shimmer.
Find More BRS Recommended Gear
BRS Recommended brings together aquarium gear our team trusts based on quality, performance, reliability, and real-world experience. Explore the full collection to find proven products for aquariums, lighting, pumps, testing, filtration, maintenance, feeding, and more.
Adam has been keeping reef aquariums since 2010 and has worked in the aquarium industry for much of his career. He began at Bulk Reef Supply in Customer Service, helping hobbyists troubleshoot problems and build more successful tanks. Today, he writes educational content and product descriptions that help reef keepers better understand saltwater aquariums and make confident decisions. He believes the best tanks are built around what you enjoy, not what’s trending.
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