New tank

[Fally]

I haven't yet found a source for ro/di water. My LFS uses tap water in his tanks. He told me there wasn't any need for ro/di. I figured I was doing pretty good using a 3 stage PUR filter. I have been looking into the ro/di units, mainly just for my own peice of mind. If I can make life for my fish and corals any better, I want to do it.

Here is a picture of my setup a week after the move:



I am still using the 10 gallon sump from the old setup. I have been dreaming about my new sump for a week now. I think I'll use a 30 long I have sitting around.

[Fally]

I'll post a pic of the back of the tank later. Once the sun goes down and I can get a good shot.

[Reef_Angel]

Hello Fally....From the Administrative point of view on this topic, maybe my advice on how our members set out to help others will be of some use to you in the future. These members that have stepped up to help you with your water choice issue have only meant the very best, and I can attest to their replies that all their comments have been well meaning & accurate. Your LFS uses tap water for his tanks in the store? Honestly, if I found out that my favorite LFS's weren't using RO/DI water, I would no longer patronize their store. I also think that you're not going to find many other people that would tell you anything different about the importance of pure clean water. Sure, it has to slowly be made with a big Rubbermaid tub, but the whole idea is to have a good amount of pure & fresh ro/di salt water available to you for water changes or emergencies involving the replacement of large amounts of water in your tank. Get ahead with the water making with an ro/di and you will be so grateful when it's time to do a water change. Everyone here has suggested locations that you can get ro/di & bottled water. I believe that the companies responsible for bringing good clean water have guidelines & rules they are required to meet when selling the bottled water. Big department stores like Walmart will have it in gallon jugs, good LFS's use only ro/di and have it available to purchase, and some larger supermarkets have it as well. There are millions of people who will only drink ro/di pure water, so there has to be several place where you can purchase it from if you really want to. We can only suggest what is best for salt water tanks, but ultimately it is your decision to use it or not. You can go and purchase a TDS meter ($20-$30)to see how your water tests out, and that's all it can do for you. Wouldn't it just be easier to stick those much needed reefing $$$ into the ro/di unit (approx. $100) that you really need, and will have for a long time to come. You never know, you might be able to make ro/di water to sell to your LFS & also your other salty friends, make yourself some pocket change, and key other's into the importance of the "BEST" water quality possible for all fish & coral. If you decide to stay with the fridge filter, your results will be interesting to our board members since it's not the norm for most. Share your water test results with us, as we are all curious about your outcome if you decide to stay with the water you are currently using.
Again, you've been given the best advise by each reefer that posted here, and you seem to be sold on your fridge filter. If you are determined to stick with what you have, and that's totally up to your discretion. It's good solid consistent advice, and I do believe that our members have excellent backgrounds & years of experience in reefing. ( Good Job to all who assisted in this post!) We are here to help you anytime, but you need to be open and ready to accept consistent answers. All in all, I can't help but be excited for you with your new upgrade for your reef! You'll love it, and so will all the critters you already have. I can tell when our tank is happy, and also when somethings amiss! We're all here for the same reasons as well...to learn and share this fantastic hobby. Most of all, good luck with your new set up, and Happy Reefing!

[Fally]

Thanks for all the good advice. I did say in my last post that I was looking at the ro/di units. I am definately not solid on using my current filter. I want my tank inhabitants to have the best water I can give them.

Everything is happy and my water tests are all perfect except for a little Nitrate(10) and some phospate(1-2). I suspect the nitrates will go down as the deeper parts of my sandbed have time to breed more anarobic bacteria. I am surprised I didn't see a spike with how much everything was disturbed.

[Reef_Angel]

Sounds like you have the right idea with how to care for your system. Now get yourself switched over to RO/DI clean water, and you'll see how your corals & fish respond. Good Luck!

[lReef lKeeper]

Fally, i would have to agree with Angel on the subject of not going back to that store if they don't use RO/DI water in thier own tanks.

with that being said, i have to admit not using RO/DI water. but at the same time my water is better than 95% of water in the U.S.( registers a 2) my brother in law is an enviornmental chemist and he does tests for me. but at the same time ... i am going to add a RO/DI unit to my system as soon as i can.

until you do add the unit i would steer clear of corals that would be considered "fragile" or less hardy until you get one.

hope this helps some ...

see ya round

[KG]

Are you sure about your phosphate reading. 1-2 is very high and can damage the symbiotic algae living in some coral. If so, I'd add a phosphate binder right away to bring it down. If space or initial start up cost is an issue with a RO/DI unit, most drinking water dispensing machines use the same technology with the added benefit of UV. That's where I buy mine for about $0.25 a gallon.

KG

[at]

I'm curios I have a RO unit but not DI, is this a problem? What does DI remove that RO does not?

[Dirt4dinner]

at-

I don't know all the ins and outs of RO/DI units, but I know that you should purchase and test a TDS meter (they are about $20 on ebay) and test your water quality after your present filter. If it's not reading zero or REALLY close to it, then add the DI stage to get it down to zero.

[spookey]

i did not know all .... sh*t i have to look in on that ro/di and a tds love this web site ......