Water parameters

I've been using the RODI machine outside of my grocery store for water changes already. The problem is that I have a bad back and hauling large amounts of water is just a recipe for disaster. I can do it at home, but the trek from the kitchen to the tank is probably 10 feet, and the trek from the machine to the car and the car to the tank is a lot longer and requires a lot more ups and downs.

I've had some small experience with corals in the past, and while my water wasn't really ever an issue at the time, I didn't have the best of luck. I used only RODI water at the time, and parameters really weren't a problem, but the basic problem was that I got bad advice from a LFS and followed it (my fault, ultimately) and chose bad corals to begin with at the time.

Also, unclejed, I don't see any article attached or linked from your post, any chance I could get it?

Back to my original question though, which unclejed answered. I know the parameters for fish and corals are different, are generally more stringent and more detailed. In my old tank I was able to keep my parameters good and only had onespike, in nitrate, and that was it. Of course, I recognize that I need to keep my parameters good now and continue to do so to continue gaining experience.

I know you can't generalize because different corals may have different requirements, but say I were to get some zoas. Where would I want my parameters to be, differently than with fish, and which tests in addition to a standard test kit arsenal for fish would I want to have? I know the specific gravity of water needs to be higher, but aside from that, what's different, and what new things should I have tests for?

 

My personal experience has been: I started with tap water (bad algae), started buying water from LFS (not as bad algae, but bad enough algae), bought my own RO/DI unit (almost no algae). It's nice to know the source and exact quality of the most important part of your tank, the water. I recommend getting your own unit, best investment ever!

 

I agree! Mines a 100 GPD unit so I use it for more than just my aquarium water.;D