Question about water and salt type

[SiNiStEr NaTiOn]

I know use ro/di, but I can't afford to buy one at this time, and when I'm able to, it might not be until next year probably summer to winter time frame. If it comes down to it, I have to use tap water (shudder just thinking of that) what be good enough to remove chlorine & chloramine from the tap water?

My next question is does it matter what type of salt you use. talking about between regular instant ocean or salt that is formulated for reefs.

[redsea reefer]

If you have to use tap water, Prime is a good product for removing chlorine & chloramine. You can also use Distilled water, around a dollar a gallon and much better than tap water.

If I were choosing between those two, I would use Reef Crystals. It has extra Calcium and magnesium.

[SiNiStEr NaTiOn]

thanxs redsea

I also forgot to mention I'll be running a sump/fuge with a skimmer, so what kind of effect would it have on the skimmer when I start everything up (once I get the fricken tank)

[redsea reefer]

it shouldn't effect the skimmer unless you add it directly to the tank which you DON'T do...

[DaveK]

Originally Posted by SiNiStEr NaTiOn

I know use ro/di, but I can't afford to buy one at this time, ...

I'm not trying to come down on you. I realize things are tough for everyone right now, with the economy down and so on.

However, an RO/DI unit only costs about $100 - $150. Compare this to the price of live stock, where you will spend about $20 up for a fish, and about $25 up for a coral or similar rock. It only takes a few losses to add up to the price of an RO/DI unit.

Unless you have exceptional tap water, and very very few people do, an RO/DI unit is just about as important as your lighting system or filtration system. This is not an area to skimp on. If you still feel you can't afford an RO/DI unit, you might want to consider if you can afford a reef system.

As for salt, yes there is a big variation among brands, even by ones made by the same manufacturer. Salt is a very difficult thing to evaluate, and everyone has their own opinion as to which is best. While I don't think it's possible to prove which salt is "best", I will say there are some brands out there that are terrible, and I wouldn't recommend.

Here are a few things to consider. Like everything else a quality salt is going to cost more than a bargain salt. This just can't be helped. A good salt will also mix and give readings close to what you want in your tank. You shouldn't need to supplement it with additives. A good salt should dissolve clean and leave little or no residue behind.

Also, when you consider the brands of salt, look at the brands used by people who depend upon the salt for raising corals for a living. They depend upon the salt. Note this does NOT mean your LFS, which is only keeping the livestock long enough to sell.

[StirCrayzy]

Check for a Local Water Store... I bought water at one by my house for $.30 per gallon for RODI.
Water To Go - Franchise Locations
you might have one close enough, and they have exceptional quality.

[ARA]

Sitting at the starting line with a flat tire is not the way to start a race.
Listen to DaveK,..he presents to you FREE experience + wisdom.

[WayneT]

What about a deionizer system. Foster and Smith carries one and for some people could be a lot less expensive and less wasteful (water wise) than an R/O unit. I'm in the process of restarting a new 120g reef tank. I've been out of reef keeping for a while so this is somewhat new to me to as I used R/O before with good results. However, I prefilter my water out of the tap and because our city water is primarily runoff water taken out of a major river close by it's very low in dissolved minerals. Because of this I should get a high volume of water per cartridge. Based on the kind of water you have locally it could be very different and more costly than R/O water.

Anyone else have any experience with deionizers?

Aquarium Water Quality: Tap Water Filter

[wonderloss]

Most people use RO in conjunction with DI. They remove different materials. RO will remove solids, but it will not remove phosphates and the like. Using only one is better than using nothing, but the best result is from using them in combination.

[BobBursek]

If you can not afford the basics to run a tank in this hobby you should not be in this hobby at all!!!!!!!

[BigAl07]

Let me start by saying I'm not "jumping on the bandwagon here" but I do agree with what others have said and especially DaveK.

This isn't a cheap hobby by any means although you can save some $$ by shopping wisely. I don't think that skimping on your water is even in the least your smartest move. If the water is bad then EVERYTHING ELSE beyond that point is null & void. Looks at it like this.... is you start out adding "Crap" to your tank hen from that point on the BEST you'll have is crap (speaking of crappy water here). Water is the foundation for the rest of your system and like a house your foundation needs to be high quality with the most about of integrity you can get. Why risk all of your time and money on something that can be purchased for less than $200? Heck you can deliver PIZZA on the weekend and make that much in a couple of weeks.

ARA your comment cracked me up! I never looked at it like that

Originally Posted by ARA

Sitting at the starting line with a flat tire is not the way to start a race.
Listen to DaveK,..he presents to you FREE experience + wisdom.

[SiNiStEr NaTiOn]

trust me I do know that's it's best to run water thru ro/di, because I'm a firm believer in top water quality, especially when it comes to reef tanks. I was hoping to have a 20g nano up and running by november or december, but I'll just have to push the launch of this tank back to april - may 2010 because that's how long it can take me to get a unit thats $150-$250.

probably by march I can get things a little sooner instead of several months, because in february I'll have this computer paid off (the one i'm currently using) and that would be an extra $95 a month that I plan to use for my reef building projects.

I was just only hoping on some advice on what would be a good chemical to use for tap water until I can get the ro/di unit.

Yes Dave I really do appreciate your inputs and even Allen and others that responds.

[BigAl07]

Well done bro

[SiNiStEr NaTiOn]

Originally Posted by rbursek

If you can not afford the basics to run a tank in this hobby you should not be in this hobby at all!!!!!!!

rbursk you do have a point, but it's not able to afford the basics for me. I just can't buy the basics online, because I can't afford it. That's why I have to go thru my lfs. If they didn't have a lay-way, then it would been very very hard me to get what is needed to get what's needed to build a reef tank.

Also my mind is made up. I am gonna have at least 1 small reef tank (20) and one big reef tank (90). Of course the small is coming first. Then sometime next year I'll start on getting what I need to build the large reef, I know the actual build of this reef won't happen until sometime in 2011, after I have the equipment that is needed like tank, skimmer, lights, etc, etc. Even right now I might be lucky to get that reef up and running in late 2011, but 2012 for sure.

Since I'm going have to put ro/di on my list of things I need on this 20g nano project. I should have this nano reef up and running hopefullythe first half of 2010.

So no matter what, I WILL have couple of reef tanks. The only thing that can change this outcome is if I find myself a girlfriend and we get married during this time, Then reef plans would get extended for 4 to 6 years (because of my income)

I know with this recession and the way the economy is today it's affecting everyone in some ways than others. So when someone tells me that I just can't afford to get into a certain hobby, that just makes me want to get into that hobby even more. This hobby, yes it's not a cheap hobby. and there are other hobbies out there thats not cheap neither, like photography, take a look at the prices on some of the higher end DSLR, they cost just as much as reef tank or more, and not counting the prices of the lens and accessories if your wantingto start out at that kind of level. Even the Canon 50D just for the body is over $1000. Thats one hobby I would love to get back into but I can't afford to.

Thats why I choose to get back into Aquariums but this time Reefs, because in the past I dealt with FW, SW- FO & FOWLR and had great success with those. So it's time to get back into the hobby and do reef's, back then I couldn't afford to do reefs. Since I have none of my old equipment or tanks, it's like starting all over from ground zero.

So all in all, let everyone tell me not mess with reef because of how much it cost. That will drive me even more, and yes it will take me longer to fully build and run a reef than someone that can do it within 3 months. Thats fine with me, because I'm in no type of race with anyone. Because I will show that even on the very very very limited income that I'm on that it can be done with some sacrifices along the way.

[SiNiStEr NaTiOn]

Sorry everyone even you rbursek, just tired of people I know and those I don't know that says I shouldn't mess with this hobby because i can't afford it. Technically everyone is right, but with my lfs having a layway plan, well...... The way I see it that it's actually giving me the chance to actually get into this hobby even though it will take me longer than the average person, it keeps my dreams of owning 1 or 2 reef tanks alive. So I'm sorry for my rant above