Currently we are in the process of doing the fishless cycling on our 75 gal. tank, we are about 3 days into it and starting to see some nitrites, about 0.25 ppm. Ammonia at about 1 ppm. Still no significant nitrates, maybe a little more color than the 0. When we filled the tank we used tap water with "Prime".
Since then I have done a lot of reading and have seen where there a lot of people who feel that an RO unit is an absolute must (even read on another site that someone posted they filled the tank with tap water to cycle, and was told to drain the tank and start over). I am still confused as to whether this advice is for all saltwater aquariums or more for reef tanks? We intend on staying as a FOWLR tank only, at least for the foreseeable future.
1. Do I really need an RO unit?
2. If I decide to purchase one, how are most people setting these up? Like you would install in a kitchen, or modifying some other way to get it to deposit directly into my mixing container? I have a 75 gallon tank and figured that I would be using 15 gallons of water every other week.
3. Any specific recommendations on what I should purchase, specific models, type, online site?
Thanks for all the information in advance. This site has been a valuable asset, although I still get confused.
Since then I have done a lot of reading and have seen where there a lot of people who feel that an RO unit is an absolute must (even read on another site that someone posted they filled the tank with tap water to cycle, and was told to drain the tank and start over). I am still confused as to whether this advice is for all saltwater aquariums or more for reef tanks? We intend on staying as a FOWLR tank only, at least for the foreseeable future.
1. Do I really need an RO unit?
2. If I decide to purchase one, how are most people setting these up? Like you would install in a kitchen, or modifying some other way to get it to deposit directly into my mixing container? I have a 75 gallon tank and figured that I would be using 15 gallons of water every other week.
3. Any specific recommendations on what I should purchase, specific models, type, online site?
Thanks for all the information in advance. This site has been a valuable asset, although I still get confused.