Getting a 57g Rimless

[Jonathan0909]

One of my friends is offering me a 57g rimless deep blue tank with a skimmer, lights, sump, LR, LS, and return pump, would I need anything else to start the tank or is that all?

 

[kdpuffer]

Thats is pretty much all you need to get started though a RO/DI water system would be a good investment to make before you start.

 

[Jonathan0909]

Ro/Di water system?

 

[Schism]

Ro/Di water system?

To make RO/DI water. Tap water is not suitable for saltwater tanks, especially reef tanks.

 

[Jonathan0909]

Do they sell them at the lfs? How much do they cost?

 

[kdpuffer]

Order a system online it's way cheaper I got a 7 stage 100 gallon per day system for 170.

 

[Jonathan0909]

Ok how much should I get a one with 100 gallons a day?

 

[kdpuffer]

It doesn't actually put that much out its just how much it "could" handle, it actually puts out about 15-20 gallons per day. If you look up Carey she has a link to a small counter top unit she used that's good for a lower budget but if you want a higher end system look on bulk reef supply, my unit is from aquasafecanada.com. I had a discount code and got it for about 170 shipped.

 

[kdpuffer]

Oh and a general rule of thumb is to buy online or from classifieds. This is an EXPENSIVE hobby so every little bit helps. LFS have to make a profit so they are more expensive so if you have the time available to wait for shipping then online is often cheaper and typically way cheaper.

 

[Jonathan0909]

Ok thanks good thing about the tank is that the guy is selling it to me reef ready, always a good thing.

 

[carey]

Here is the link for the portable ro/di unit I started out with. It's small and I hooked it up to my garden hose when I needed water.

0PPM Portable 100GPD Reverse Osmosis RO+DI Filtration | eBay

 

[kdpuffer]

And speak of the devil how convenient lol!!!!

 

[Jonathan0909]

Haha thank you I'll check it out

 

[Jonathan0909]

Also just wondering can't you put saltwater into the system. My lfs sells salt water.

 

[kdpuffer]

You can buy their premixed salt water but most people prefer mixing their own as it allows freedom to choose salt with different levels of additives such as calcium plus it is cheaper in the long run.

 

[Jonathan0909]

Ok what I'll probably do is just use the lfs water for a couple of months then buy the RO/DI system.

 

[Jonathan0909]

Also I'm buying the tank reef ready does that mean that I'll still need to cycle it?

 

[Schism]

Also I'm buying the tank reef ready does that mean that I'll still need to cycle it?

Reef ready usually implies the tank drilled with overflow, thats it.

 

[Jonathan0909]

Alright thanks

 

[Jake337]

Here is the link for the portable ro/di unit I started out with. It's small and I hooked it up to my garden hose when I needed water.

0PPM Portable 100GPD Reverse Osmosis RO+DI Filtration | eBay

Do these units need filter replacements or do you have to buy a completely new one?