6 replies to this topic

[In between tanks]

I am thinking of getting a saltwater tank I have been looking up many things on Google, but there is one thing I am not 100% on it says to use RODI water? Then add reef salt crystals to it ( or something like that) what is this water and are there any products that you can buy to make tap water into this water almost instantly and do I even have to use this water or can I just decolonize normal tap water then add the salt . thanks in advance

Edited by In between tanks, 25 April 2016 - 12:57 PM.

[malawiman85]

You can dechlorinate but you will only be fixing half the problem.
Ro water is easy to produce at home. Get an ro unit off ebay. The ro water is really only for a bit of "make up water" unless you add some fresh water occasionally your salinity will creep too high.
Best bet for water change salt water is to buy it... there are a couple threads here on salt water suppliers... or if you are doing a nano tank you can get your own water from the ocean.

[In between tanks]

Why can't you just use tap water is there a reason like metals in the water or something like that

[Stormfyre]

Correct. It has a lot of silicates and dissolved solids including metals etc. I find it helps keep Phosphates down which is a must on marine coral tanks.

 

It isn't as essential as everyone will make out to be to have RODI, but really helps your corals and fish in the long run.

 

I have a RO Unit and run it into a barrel. I use that for top up for evap every 1-2 weeks. The meter on my RO has 47ppm going in from my tap and 0 coming out.

 

Quite a few places deliver salt water as required when you need to water change. I even saw Aquarium Gallery Perth has a saltwater system. They have containers you fill and take home and return the containers for refill.

 

If you have a lot of Live Rock, sand substrate and good water flow, the need for often water changes is lessened significantly on marine tank.

[In between tanks]

The problem is that no fish stores near me sell pre mixed salt water and I am not yet comitted to the saltwater hobby to get one of those units so could I add something to the water that will get rid of the metals and all that like my de chlorinater says it get rid metals so would that be ok or just no

[Stormfyre]

You can use chems to rid chlorine and metals and boost with other chems and salt. It wouldnt be as good. You can go to the ocean maybe?.

 

You can try this guy.. The Fish Doctor. He isnt too far from you and he delivers salt water. He is very well known across marine circles. 

 

AGP isnt too far from you to go grab some water once a month?

[tunagirll]

I drive an hour to AGP to get my fresh saltwater.