How much will it cost to start a salt water tank?

[Smitty]

I can't help with the skimmer but would say it would be cheaper in the long run to get an RO/DI and do the water yourself.

 

[Dylan5359]

More questions...

I read that tap water is not good for SW. Should I get a RODI or buy pre-mixed SW at the LFS?

Is a coralife super skimmer too much for a 55g? It's a 220 gallon skimmer. It's on sale, like new for $130. The girl said she used it for only a couple of days and original price is $260. What do you think? Thanks.

An RO/DI system is crucial for reefs. Carey bought her's from this store on eBay for 60$. Which is a really good price. Plus you can drink the water from the RO/DI system too!

 

[roydooms]

I also noticed at the LFS that most SW tanks has strong water flow. Usually the ones with corals. Is that necessary? Which one should I get for a 55g?

 

[Dylan5359]

There is no such thing as too much flow in SW. Some corals need strong flow, other do not. All depends on what your putting in your tank, IMO.

 

[roydooms]

I think I'll buy a RODI system. I can also use it to soften water for my discus tank I'll check EBay.

For the corals that doesn't need strong water flow, is it ok if the flow is strong? It's just unnecessary?

 

[Dylan5359]

Again depending on the coral. You may have a coral that NEEDS low flow. Then you may have a coral that says low flow- medium flow will suffice.

 

[KLehman72]

I wanted to comment on one persons post about RO+DI being safe to drink! Let me be clear...it is NOT safe to drink! Deionized water is not safe to drink. Due to the purity of the water and the lack of minerals, DI is a relatively strong solvent. As such, when ingested, a condition called "osmotic shock" may occur. This condition occurs as a result of the DI water removing minerals and other elements from the cells in the body more rapidly that the cell walls can stand. The result is ruptured cells and internal bleeding. Though the cases are few and far between, there have been documented cases.

 

[Dylan5359]

I wanted to comment on one persons post about RO+DI being safe to drink! Let me be clear...it is NOT safe to drink! Deionized water is not safe to drink. Due to the purity of the water and the lack of minerals, DI is a relatively strong solvent. As such, when ingested, a condition called "osmotic shock" may occur. This condition occurs as a result of the DI water removing minerals and other elements from the cells in the body more rapidly that the cell walls can stand. The result is ruptured cells and internal bleeding. Though the cases are few and far between, there have been documented cases.

This is new to me. I have heard several people on AA say RO/DI is in fact safe to drink. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

 

[roydooms]

Again depending on the coral. You may have a coral that NEEDS low flow. Then you may have a coral that says low flow- medium flow will suffice.

Ok. What is considered low, medium and high flow?

 

[roydooms]

Any comment on the protein skimmer I posted above?

 

[Smitty]

So, as for the flow some of it will be from the return from the sump, but most SW tanks have power head in addition to this for added circulation.

Also, with the RO/DI you don't want to use it for the FW tank. It is fine with the SW tank because you will be adding the needed nutrients back into the water from the salt mix, but you don't do that with FW.

 

[roydooms]

So, as for the flow some of it will be from the return from the sump, but most SW tanks have power head in addition to this for added circulation.

Also, with the RO/DI you don't want to use it for the FW tank. It is fine with the SW tank because you will be adding the needed nutrients back into the water from the salt mix, but you don't do that with FW.

I did some research on this one for FW. If its just a percentage of the water being replaced, it is ok. Just to make the water softer. I guess I wont use RODI for the FW. It will just make WCs complicated.

 

[roydooms]

I wanted to comment on one persons post about RO+DI being safe to drink! Let me be clear...it is NOT safe to drink! Deionized water is not safe to drink. Due to the purity of the water and the lack of minerals, DI is a relatively strong solvent. As such, when ingested, a condition called "osmotic shock" may occur. This condition occurs as a result of the DI water removing minerals and other elements from the cells in the body more rapidly that the cell walls can stand. The result is ruptured cells and internal bleeding. Though the cases are few and far between, there have been documented cases.

Thank you for the info.

 

[roydooms]

What's the salt and water ratio?

What's your routine when doing PWC? RO/DI water in a container, add right amount of salt then in the tank? No need for dechlorinator because of the RO/DI?

 

[roydooms]

What is the green plant that you usually put in a sump? Is that to absorb nitrate or phosphate I think? I'm not sure. I was watching "dustinsvideo" long time ago and he put some in his HOB filter to battle algae...

I'm sorry if I'm bombarding you guys with questions... I appreciate all your help.

 

[roydooms]

Anyone?

Also, is a plexiglass tank ok with all the rocks? I know how easily it gets scratched. Thanks.

 

[Gti_Leo]

how thick is this plexiglass? plexiglass is just acrylic sheets

 

[roydooms]

how thick is this plexiglass? plexiglass is just acrylic sheets

I already have a 55g glass tank but there is a deal on craigslist for a plexiglass and stand for $75. I'm thinking of using that instead. Probably just the regular thickness for that tank size(1/3"?). Or should I just use the glass tank?

 

[Rscomia]

One good thing about plexi is scratches can be buffed out pretty easy but the bad thing is they do scracth easy

 

[roydooms]

I'll stick with a glass tank then. Is there a "must have" equipment when you go bigger than 55g?