Water Change for a newby...

[dcontes77]

Hi Guys,

It is my first post, and I have to say this web site is cool!
Alright, I just bought a 45 G tank and I want to put [acronym:fcc93d22c7="Fish only with live rock"]fowlr[/acronym:fcc93d22c7].
At my [acronym:fcc93d22c7="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:fcc93d22c7] they told me that I should buy their water to set up my tank. (fine)... But later I will have to do water change for maintenance: can I use tap water and add chemical in it? or should I go and buy their water everyweek?

Thank you

Damien

[jamal-188]

Welcome to AA

I used tap water with a conditioner to take care of chlorine/metals etc.. for a while until I could not get rid of my algae problems due to all the junk in the water. I finally broke down and got a [acronym:60333f1412="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:60333f1412]/[acronym:60333f1412="Deionization"]DI[/acronym:60333f1412] unit, I'd recommend one if you are going to be in this hobby for the long run. Wal-mart and other places sell [acronym:60333f1412="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:60333f1412] water but over time it will just add up to the price of a [acronym:60333f1412="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:60333f1412] unit anyway and you have to worry about lugging water home all the time. If you have the money go w/ a [acronym:60333f1412="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:60333f1412] unit, if not I'd recommend buying water and only using tap water conditioner as the last option.

[acronym:60333f1412="Hope this helps (or) Happy to help"]HTH[/acronym:60333f1412]

[dcontes77]

Thank you that helps a lot.
Do you know which brand should I use to condition my water?
Also how much a [acronym:9828b27d0a="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:9828b27d0a]/[acronym:9828b27d0a="Deionization"]DI[/acronym:9828b27d0a] cost, which one should I go with?
Thanks!

[jamal-188]

I think wal-mart charges around $.33 a gallon for [acronym:02dc9efee7="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:02dc9efee7] water. I used biosafe from marineland as tap water conditioner but there are a ton of different brands available.

[acronym:02dc9efee7="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:02dc9efee7] units vary in price, you can check the sponsors forum, I think captivereefs is still running a special to members. I got mine of ebay for a little over 100 but I can't seem to get it to stop leaking, should have known the price was too good.

[dcontes77]

Thanks!!
Yep I think I will wait a little bit before buying a [acronym:2b21f9ab4c="Reverse osmosis"]RO[/acronym:2b21f9ab4c]. I'll buy water from [acronym:2b21f9ab4c="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:2b21f9ab4c]!

[reefrunner69]

If purchasing your water from the [acronym:db2ef839ee="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:db2ef839ee] or Walmart, or wherever you should spot check the water for nitrate, [acronym:db2ef839ee="Phosphate"]PO4[/acronym:db2ef839ee], ammonia, nitrite, copper and anything else you have a kit for regularly.

[mrmarine]

we just go out and buy water from walmart for .25 a gallon and thats working fine until i get my [acronym:13534bde54="Reverse osmosis"]ro[/acronym:13534bde54]/[acronym:13534bde54="Deionization"]di[/acronym:13534bde54] unit i just dont buy my [acronym:13534bde54="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:13534bde54]'s water. but thats just me
Mr. Marine