What are the MUST HAVES for equipment?

[subman]

I would say ato followed by a controller then lastly an auto feeder.
Having an ato keeps things stable. The controller is pretty self explanatory, its nice to be able to log in from elsewhere and check on things.
lastly the auto feeder...I set it up when I went on holidays about 2 years ago and haven't went without since. I feel it also keeps the tank more stable by adding the exact amount of food at the same times everyday. My water parameters stabalized and the fish seem healthier. I overfed (just like most people) and this eliminated that.