Reverse Osmosis

[dwoods]

How do, newb here. I'll give you a breakdown. I have recently switched from a African Chiclids tank that I had for about 3 years. I have a salt water setup (30 gallons) that I have just been slowly adding live rock as money allows. I want to add about 3 more rocks, then I want to move on to adding some corals. I have had the tank running for about 6 weeks and the water readings seem fine and steady, but I don't feel like its ready yet. I've been reading and reading some more. I am buying my protein skimmer this week, and that leaves one final question.

Is using water from Reverse Osmosis filters a must?

I have some soft corals growing on the live rock, but have not seen much advance in them over the weeks. Any and all information is appreciated.

Thanks

[seasalt dreams]

Its not a must, but it is certainly a good idea. You can use distilled if you cannot get an RO unit. I would try to avoid tap water as much as possible.

[tims]

Is using water from Reverse Osmosis filters a must?

as said, not a must , but one of the bast options. using Ro water will help stop headackes down the road.

I have some soft corals growing on the live rock, but have not seen much advance in them over the weeks. Any and all information is appreciated.

to answer this , can you shed some light on the following questions?

that I have just been slowly adding live rock as money allows. I want to add about 3 more rocks, then I want to move on to adding some corals.

?? you said your parameters are pretty good , what are they?
when you add Live rock to a tank, you can cause a cycle to happen each time, even fully cycled and cured live rock can cause a mini cycle.

I have some soft corals growing on the live rock

did this come on the Live rock or did you buy it?
can you post a picture of it or give the name of it? pic will stillhelp to "see" what it looks like. often times by seeing our corals we have an idea what is happening.

[dwoods]

Thanks for the responses.

The corals that I currently have in my tank did come on the live rock I purchased. One rock had a ton of button Polyps on it and the other rocks have one other coral, but I can't find the name. They are small right now, and what I meant about not being ready is spending $50 + on a large more elaborate coral.

I do understand that adding live rock can recycle my tank, thats another reason I have held off. For a second I thought I was done, but the more I look at pictures, the more I think i need some rock.

Should I wait to add lots of crab and snails until I am done adding rock or can they survive well? I will try to post some pics in the coming days.

Thanks

[tims]

where are my manners? Welcome to TRT


when you get the Live rock, is it coming from a LFS or another reef's tank?
if you can cure it first , you should be able to minize the cycle or almost skip it. slowly adding it is helpuing everythign else stay closer to "stable" if stable is actually possible in our systems.

i would hold off on any snails and crabs until you have all the LR you want in the tank..

[dwoods]

The rock is coming from a local fish store and typically not from an active tank , but from big tubs. I will hold off on the crabs and snails for another week or two.

Thanks again

[nobody]

i would never use tap water even if it tested perfect. I found that out with my first salt water tank(FO) when i was 17. My parents have well water and it tested well with in the range for a fish tank. I had algae consistantly. I dont have a ro/di unit now but i go to wal-mart and buy the great value brand filtered water. it is filtered by carbon, micron, uv, and RO. I have tested it with everythign including a tds meter and it is perfect. But if you have a larger tank its worth getting a unit. we sell the coralife ro/di for 142.99

[dwoods]

Seems like going to Walmart and buying water everytime would add up to the point where I should just buy an RO filter. Does the RO filter get installed on the sink? I am no handy man.

[tims]

no not the ones you wil be looking at!

the little sink faucet ones are not for us.
you wil be looking at a system that runs it self and hooks to the water line it self. you can keep this in your basement.

[dwoods]

What was the model number on that $149 coralife RO unit.

Thanks

[nobody]

its the 50gpd unit not sure of the number look on www.thatfishplace.com its the coralife pure-flo 50gph unit

[dwoods]

Gotcha , I beleive you are talking about the Pure-Flo II TFC Reverse Osmosis Filters. Not to bad of a price. I should have joined this forum about 2 weeks ago and I could have told the wife or mother what to get me for Christmas. Oh well, whats the commercial say, no rule against getting yourself what you want.

Thanks for all the help guys. Hopefully in the coming months I can load up some pictures of my setup.

[seasalt dreams]

Originally Posted by ionracing

i would never use tap water even if it tested perfect. I found that out with my first salt water tank(FO) when i was 17. My parents have well water and it tested well with in the range for a fish tank. I had algae consistantly. I dont have a ro/di unit now but i go to wal-mart and buy the great value brand filtered water. it is filtered by carbon, micron, uv, and RO. I have tested it with everythign including a tds meter and it is perfect. But if you have a larger tank its worth getting a unit. we sell the coralife ro/di for 142.99

Although quite a few ppl use tap water, I have to second this. I would not do it again either as I too started my first tank with tap water and it ended up being wiped out by dinos.

[dwoods]

dinos? My problem right now seems to be the algae. Either way, I think you guys are going to get me to get an RO filter. I can justify $150 if I end up with a tank like I am seeing you guys have (looked at your sites).

So I will have my heater, a filter, protein skimmer,live sand, live rock, SeaChem Reef Complete, Calcium stuff, iodine stuff

I will get a RO filter ...... after that, I should be ready eh.

[seasalt dreams]

dinoflagellates, its nasty.