Newbie, questions about water

[chbix]

I live in an area that has arsenic in the water. I am wanting to start a SW tank and am concerned that this will hinder that. Any ideas or suggestions?

Also another question. The house I live in has a cut out in the wall. Its almost 5' long 3' tall and about 3' wide is where I want to put the tank. However all the tanks I have seen are on stands to hide pumps and what not. Any ideas for this type of location?

 

[thincat]

First get a RO/DI unit to remove unwanted elements from your water.
Second, what's on the other side of the wall. Your equipment is hidden on one side or the other. You could make a sort of bench or loveseat on one side to hide the equip.

 

[melosu58]

I agree with the RO/DI unit.

 

[chbix]

I believe the house already has ro built in. Would I need a seperate unit?

basically this "whole" in the wall is approximately 4' off the ground. On one side is a cubby to house the tv and entertainment stuff, on the otherside its smooth wall. I can try and upload a picture.

 

[chbix]

Basically my concern is that I wont have the ability to use a sump set up. If im doing live rock and fish I can get away with a filter/skimmer and a few power heads right?

 

[thincat]

Yes...with just fish you don't even need a skimmer.

 

[chbix]

So your saying I dont need a filter? or just not a skimmer?

 

[thincat]

If you go "fish only" you will not need a skimmer, you would still need a filter of some sort. If you went with live rock you could go with it and a skimmer or with frequent water changes just the LR alone would do.