what next ????

Scolet112 · 01-05-2006, 01:36 PM

Well like I always say I am still learning i currently have a 72 Gal bow front with a wet/dry box and as i have seen on other threads i also have the nasty bio balls that everyone so much loves lol i also have 500+ watts of pc with a delux prizm hang on skimmer both thanks to oyam i have about 55 lbs of LR i know i need about 40 more lbs of LR i have 1 blue hippo 1 coral beauty 1 cleaner a few crab and a few snails i was wondering what others would recomend i start with next I was told to get rid of wet/dry box and build myself a nice sump i was also told to get a RO/DI system

any clues as to what i should do next would like to get more frags and life in the tank as well

oyam123 · 01-05-2006, 02:16 PM

Seems all the frags i gave you are doing better in your system than my tanks.

So the water quality must be OK.
More rock....RO/DI...yes-yes-yes.
then the sump so you can get a real skimmer...LOL

LOOK!...50GPD RO/DI Unit. I bought it in March 2005 and have never used it. Comes with new membranes, resin, and DI material. $75..its on TCMAS

Scolet112 · 01-05-2006, 02:25 PM

ya know i am starting to think you are my hero lol
i think i should do the ro/di unit but again need to talk to the wife the skimmer is working great all the junk on the top of the tank is gone and the water looks really great my wife would like to know in laymen terms what the ro/di unit does for the tank lol

FastFish720 · 01-05-2006, 02:32 PM

Well I would definately start with the RO/DI unit with auto top off into a new sump

Then you can always use more corals and inverts/clean up. I would also recommend that if you get a new sump, plan on getting a new skimmer. A turboflotor 1000 would be great for your setup. An ro/di unit purifies water. It uses a measure called TDS (total dissolved solids). Average tap water in my house has around 300tds. After it's ran through my RO/DI unit it has 0-1tds. I think most bottled water and stuff you get from the store has about 40-100tds. Maybe Fahz can step in here and correct me if that's wrong. He's the expert.

Scolet112 · 01-05-2006, 03:44 PM

hey oyam does it have a TDS meter.

oyam123 · 01-05-2006, 04:30 PM

? i dont know...i am not selling it.....look on this page for RO/DI for salehttp://cgi.ebay.com/New-Reef-6st-12... QcmdZViewItem

this looks good:

David Grigor · 01-05-2006, 04:47 PM

In most instances, 55lbs of LR should be enough to provide biological filtration. Only reason IMO that you would need more would be for if you think it would be more aethetically pleasing.

RO/DI, knowing what goes in your tank is free of nitrates,phosphates and potentially other pollutants obviously is a big plus. If you have been battling algae issues or so this would be the first place to start.

IMO: A better skimmer would be better for filtration than more LR. The better skimmers usually are sump types.

So If this tank is sumpless, This would be my #1 priority but also the most work. I used to have a 72g tank at our Church. 20g H tank makes a good sump. However in stock stands, your going to have to take off the tank to get it in there. You will also need to temporarily locate all they livestock to a tub to get the tank drilled best not to even consider a siphon overflow even though this is the easy way out it could bite you in the end.

Scolet112 · 01-07-2006, 12:45 PM

so you are saying that i should start out with a sump for the tank then get a RO/DI unit and if i so choose than get more rock

Irenicus · 01-07-2006, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scolet112

so you are saying that i should start out with a sump for the tank then get a RO/DI unit and if i so choose than get more rock

That would be the right direction to go. If it were me, I would put priority on getting a RO/DI Unit and getting a sump in place. Then get a nice skimmer upgrade.

FastFish720 · 01-07-2006, 02:10 PM

Throw a PM to Jim (Fahz) on TRT and he will help you out with selecting an RO/DI system.

Scolet112 · 01-07-2006, 03:28 PM

sounds like a plan i will talk with Fahz and look into getting something going with a sump i guess i was just thinking if it aint broken dont fix it with the wet/dry box it seems to be doing fine but everyone talks about getting a sump

oyam123 · 01-07-2006, 03:46 PM

RO/DI is a step you need to take with or without a sump.

Fahz, Dirk, eBay, used at TRT...what ever....look for quality.
Most people also say to get the clear plastic.
Just tell your wife this will give you Pure water to mix the baby formula...LOL

FastFish720 · 01-07-2006, 05:08 PM

Actually, you probably wouldn't want to do that. I think RO/DI water removes the fluoride in the water which helps build strong teeth. Can you take a picture of your wet/dry box and maybe it can be integrated into a sump.

Scolet112 · 01-09-2006, 03:12 PM

i wil try to take some pics of the wet/dry box and post them

David Grigor · 01-09-2006, 03:35 PM

What I was saying RO/DI unit is priority if your currently having algae issues or water quality issues ( Ie: phosphates / nitrates ) .

If your not having water quality problems, then the 1st priority is to get a good sump configuration going and RO/DI second priority.

or

If you money not a big concern do both !!!

Wet/dry without the bioballs and a sump are basically synomous providing the wet/dry is large enough to keep equipment like a skimmer and heater in there. If using a siphon overflow however, that should be switched out with a drilled configuration.