After years of freshwater...

I decieded to go to saltwater, and I need a few questions answered....


I didn't really want to spend the money on an RO unit so I was curious about using tap water...is it possible? What are the pros and cons?

Also tomorrow I will buying my lighting...I'm goign to let the tank cycle for a 6 months before I put fish in it...because I want to make sure everything is up and running great...I plan on going with 80lb live rock...and same with the sand...

Do you think I will need a skimmer right off if im not planning on corals right away?

thanks everyone ahead of time.

- Jesse

 

How ya doing? You won't be disappointed about switching to salt!
As for the cycle process, what kind of fish are you going to use to aid in it?
I woud set-up the skimmer and use it through out the cycle process IMO. As for the RO water, you could get by using regular tap water depending on how good it is. I would get a readout of your water from the water company and see. If you do use regular tap water, you should add chlorine and chloramine remover(basically a water conditioner). This tap water would be less dramatic on a FOWLR tank than a reef tank as your water needs to be better quality. Your tap water will also release phophates into your water helping to grow microalgae. I would add carbon periodically and get some phosphate remover/reactor to help with that!
Good luck!

 

OK you are setting out on the right path in that you will cycle for 6 months I always allow 4 months minimum. Now that having been said I'd strongly suggest that you invest right up front in a R/O unit right up front 100 GPD 110.00 or so and a add on D/I later 39.00 or so with Polymer resign charge and ready to go.. Using Tap water has been done and it will sometimes work up to a point. But as for Pros and Cons its 99% Con and no Pro's except the 100.00.

Get the R/O first and start out right and the lights can wait no need for lights while cycling If you have a old strip from freshwater tanks ? add some Actinic bulbs and use them to spur coralline and then when the tank is ready for corals and fish then will be a need for lights. Also a skimmer will not be needed as they will removes the coralline spores and retard their growth.

I'd just fill the tank with good water and bottom media and base rocks to start and allow it to run and work on getting the parameters stable and ready for July myself and add just one single little yellow tailed blue Damsel to start the cycle and keep it going then he can just stay in there a really nice looking cheap tuff fish and the cycle will be totally natural and completed and when its done and you are ready for lights you will have a really stable and nice tank full of coralline.

Its your money and tank But if you start off right you will end up right and way a head of the pac. With money saved as well as time and frustration and problems...

Then you will find lighting will not cost you as much as you think it will People get robbed with lighting a total rip off. But you can take the cycle time to find the deals and learn to get what you need and a decent price. And not fill a few boxes with Junk.. I call them a D.H bucket. I see it all the time people will walk into a place and leave with lots of useless junk in a box and little money in their pockets.

 

Skimmer will help oxygenate the water and help the bacteria. In turn helping your cycle. Im not sure about waiting 6 months for fish, but it is up to you. I waited 1 month, but ive done it before and have another tank to move the fish to if the water turns bad.

 

hi there, i also had finally switched to saltwater. wow! if you'll gonna cycle your water for that long, well, you'll be overwhelmed when your first marine fish will dip in your tank.i started mine last november, i made the new stand, acrylic works and lighting for two weeks and cycled the water for 40 days only. my tank is on it's 90 days now and i purchased baby fishes , i got a pair of 2 stripe damsel, a pair domino damsel, a pair butterflyfish, and a spotted cardinalfish.

i'm planning to a a pair of clowns and it's anenome.