Im looking at getting a refractometer and heater for my 30 gallon tank for christmas, but am not sure what type to get! I am also wondering if for my 30 gallon sw tank i should buy reguler rodi water, premade sw, or a rodi unit. Which one is best, and what are te best brands for reef salt (if i was to make my own sw), and an rodi! Thanks all!
What brand to get?
- Thread starter Gboy66
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TLTGF
Aquarium Advice Addict
Refractometer that I have:
Salinity Refractometer 0-10% ATC Aquarium Salt Water | eBay
RODI unit that I have:
0PPM Portable 100GPD Reverse Osmosis RO+DI Filtration | eBay
As for a reef salt:
Saltwater Aquarium Salt: Aquarium Systems Instant Ocean & Reef Crystals Synthetic Sea Salt
I get the 200gal box, some like 160gal buckets. Free shipping.
As for heater, I believe Fluval, and Ebo Jager are popular brands, mine is a german brand that I can't thing of.
Salinity Refractometer 0-10% ATC Aquarium Salt Water | eBay
RODI unit that I have:
0PPM Portable 100GPD Reverse Osmosis RO+DI Filtration | eBay
As for a reef salt:
Saltwater Aquarium Salt: Aquarium Systems Instant Ocean & Reef Crystals Synthetic Sea Salt
I get the 200gal box, some like 160gal buckets. Free shipping.
As for heater, I believe Fluval, and Ebo Jager are popular brands, mine is a german brand that I can't thing of.
AquaRick
Aquarium Advice Addict
I'd get your own rodi unit. It will pay for itself over time. If you have the $, i'd get the box. It's a better deal.
TLTGF
Aquarium Advice Addict
The box of 200gal of salt is $53.99. The bucket is 52.99 for 160gal. It is a better deal to get the 200gal.
Even though you only have a 30 gallon tank, you will need salt for water changes. You figure a (5) gallon water change per week would be good. Therefore 200-30=170 / 5 = 34 weeks (8.5 months) worth of salt.
I like the RO/DI unit I have. Mr. X recommends one that's about $129, but he stated that it is more efficient, has better filters, and uses less waste water. I can't remember the model though, maybe PM him if you're interested.
Even though you only have a 30 gallon tank, you will need salt for water changes. You figure a (5) gallon water change per week would be good. Therefore 200-30=170 / 5 = 34 weeks (8.5 months) worth of salt.
I like the RO/DI unit I have. Mr. X recommends one that's about $129, but he stated that it is more efficient, has better filters, and uses less waste water. I can't remember the model though, maybe PM him if you're interested.
Nu-Nu the eel
Aquarium Advice Addict
Wow thats some good math 
It seems like an ro unit is necessary, and so is the salt
It seems like an ro unit is necessary, and so is the salt
AquaRick
Aquarium Advice Addict
I like the RO unit i got at BRS. It's very efficient with good filters, flush bypass, TDS meter (to let you know if your filters are doing their job), and pressure gauge:
75 GPD RO/DI 5 Stage *PLUS* System - English
75 GPD RO/DI 5 Stage *PLUS* System - English
I have a 150gpd from Filter Direct (store is on eBay) and I think I paid around $140 for mine. The life of the filters vary on your tap water's TDS. Where I live, my numbers are really high, so my filters last about 7months with regular use, and there's a lot of waste water. If you have good, clean water going into your home, your filters can last up to 18 months (probably not the DI resin though).
Here are some things to look for in a good system for this hobby:
No more than 4 stages (sediment, carbon, RO, DI) unless you have specific water quality issues you want to address
Standard-sized prefilters, membrane, and DI cartridge
Brand name, high-rejection membrane (96%+)
Specifications provided for each stage
Pressure gauge after the prefilters and before the membrane
Thermometer
TDS meter (handheld or in-line)
DI bypass
Vertical DI stage
Refillable DI cartridge
Aluminum bracket
Quick connect fittings
No water from pressurized storage container delivered to DI
Flush valve
Clear housings
High-quality instructions written in clear English
Customer support before, during, and after your purchase
A vendor involved in your hobby
Russ
No more than 4 stages (sediment, carbon, RO, DI) unless you have specific water quality issues you want to address
Standard-sized prefilters, membrane, and DI cartridge
Brand name, high-rejection membrane (96%+)
Specifications provided for each stage
Pressure gauge after the prefilters and before the membrane
Thermometer
TDS meter (handheld or in-line)
DI bypass
Vertical DI stage
Refillable DI cartridge
Aluminum bracket
Quick connect fittings
No water from pressurized storage container delivered to DI
Flush valve
Clear housings
High-quality instructions written in clear English
Customer support before, during, and after your purchase
A vendor involved in your hobby
Russ
TLTGF
Aquarium Advice Addict
As long as you plan to do corals I would recommend reef salt. As for how much... I'd still go with the 200 gallon box. Unless you plan to stop the hobby soon, it's the best deal and it doesn't take up a lot of room. The full box weighs 57lbs, but there are 4 or 5 bags in each box. I took a picture with the refractometer on top for scale - not that big.
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