A loving spouse, that is also as addicted.:mrgreen:

Oh yeah, SKIMMER, CONTROLLER, REACTORS, PATIENCE, AND A DEEP POCKET.

ATO
Controller
Vortech's (a little specific here. Hehe)
Good lighting
Dosing pumps

good lighting, cycled tank, flow.
Skimmers are not needed for small tanks,
what size are you planning?
super7

I have a 125gal... 6 ft

probs need skimmer, unless you plan on 25% plus waterchanges weekly lol
super7

unless you're away from town for days your lighting timer failing on or off won't be a deal breaker... you'll notice. But temperature control is a must. If you don't want to rely on a fancy controller buy a ranco etc. $100 and you have bullet-proof temp control. other than that a tunze osmolator ATO like others have said.

Kind of subjective...

RODI, ATO and Controller are a must have?

Must have for a reef:

Tank, saltwater, liverock, coral, pump, light, heater. Period.

That is how grandaddy did it, and that is the bare bones ones must have. My first 3 years of reefing was done with just that.

You DO NOT need a skimmer
You DO NOT need a wavemaker
You DO NOT need light timers, calcium reactors, Media reactors, additives, UV sterilizers, probes and sumps and doohickies sticking out all over the place

These are options, like the leather and heated seats in Nissans. :biggrin:

When you first meet the love of you life, light 1000 dollars on fire in front of them. Consider it an investment in the future. Anything you do after that with money will pale in comparison to that night.

No chance that 1000 is enough lol =) Maybe light 1000 and spend 5 - 10 on a nice rock!