[eric3316]

I don't have a refractometer yet. Petco is the only LFS and I don't think they sell one. Sioux City water is terrible and I wont be using tap. I am looking into buying a RODI unit... however with school starting I just wanted to get my tank set up and the cycle started. I've read forever about RODI units and it looks like they are about 130 on the cheap side. Would I be able to get away with filling the tank with RODI water from petco or distilled water until I have enough money for my own unit. I would rather start off the right way that's why I am in no hurry to rush into starting. But its all just sitting there and I cant wait to begin! LOL.

Also, I have dead coral that's been sitting in a bucket covered with a plastic bag. Do I need to do anything before putting it into my tank besides rinsing it with tap water? I've read bleaching... but to me that just sounds like a bad idea no matter how thoroughly you rinse it.

I am using distilled water from Walmart (88 cents). It actually cost more then buying RO/DI water (69 cents) from my LFS but is just a little more convenient for me and also don't need to worry about buying a bunch of 5 gallon jugs to fill up with the water. That can be another $70 or so expense just to buy the jugs.

RO/DI is definitely said to be the best though. Not sure how it truly differs or what it does or doesn't offer that is found in distilled water. Researching it gives you a lot of different opinions.

 

[eric3316]

Yeah, distilled water IMO is just as good as rodi stuff, its usually more expensive and not worth the extra cost, but if thats more convenient to you...
Improtant to reduce your chance of phosphate and other nutients entering your system in high quantities feeding your algae

Small tank,probably not worth your while setting up your own rodi unit
Better to buy
Spend a few bucks a month for your water is not that bad

Maybe get that tds meter to test it out...
If you dont trust your source

That is good to know as I thought I was selling myself short using distilled water and paying more for it. I run a 29 gallon tank so buying water for water changes is not that much money a month.

I guess a good thing about buying distilled water you always know what you are going to get if you stick with the same thing. When purchasing RO/DI water from your LFS you have to be sure they are keeping up with their filter changes or you can get water that is not so great.

The cost of an RO/DI unit does not make sense for smaller tanks like you said as you have to consider the cost of the unit, the cost of replacement filters and I have to imagine your water bill must take some sort of hit on it. Of course for larger aquariums it makes sense.

The cost of maintaing a 29 gallon SW tank is large enough for me, I can't imagine the cost to maintain these larger tanks you guys have.

Talking about water, I have been doing a 5 gallon wc weekly, siphoning out my sand bed and then pulling any additional water out to equal 5 gallons for the change. Do you think I can get away with doing 4 gallons a week on 29 gallon tank or should I not go lower then 5?

 

[eric3316]

How long have you been doing it?
Is your cleaning good, no algae?
Might be time to extend if everyything is perfect and its been 6-9 months in

It has been running for 2 months now. When you say extend it, do you mean in 6-9 months I can get away with doing less frequent water changes?

What would your suggestion be for maintence at this point and then what would it be at 6 months if all is well?

 

[eric3316]

Petco in sioux city doesn't sell ro or rodi water. They use premixed saltwater prepared in 5 gal jugs. If I remember right they were $12/ 5 gal. That is not an option. I know i shouldn't believe everything I read on the internet... but I read someone that distilled water may contain copper I believe they said. I also priced RO water from culligan and it was 6.14/5 gal or 8.14/5 gal delivery (in town). Also, you can rent ro systems for $20 a month. Still I'm not sure their water is 0 tds. I've pretty much looked into every option and it looks like I will be purchasing a ro/di unit from bulk reef supply. Yes it will cost me more but if I plan to upgrade to a bigger tank I will need it. Plus, I would rather pay a little more up front than have big problems later. Cheap refractometers? Lol where are you finding those? I can't seem to find any cheap

$25.99 - http://www.amazon.com/Automatic-Tem...upplies_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0WKG1Z186YT13NPCNGWD

Also, back in the day places used copper for their distilled systems but everyone should have changed over by now. I use Walmart's and Harris Teeters distilled water with no problems at all. You can even buy a copper test kit and test for yourself. Plenty of people are using distilled water, especially for top offs.