Adding water

Don't let the Refurbished title fool you. Those are brand new systems with all new filters, membranes and DI, they may have a scratch or scuff on a housing but are fully functional. I would go that route and add the handheld TDS meter they sell for another $25 so including shipping and everything you will still be under the $200. I have the two dual inline TDS meters and honsetly I don't even turn them on anymore, I always use the handheld meter for accurate readings.

 

Would you mind posting a link to the refurb one you suggest and a link to the handheld Tds I want to make sure I'm ordering correctly.

 

I just wanted to add an answer to a previous question. In terms of water changes, it really depends somewhat on your system and how stable your parameters are. Most people recommend doing about 10% water change bi-weekly but this can be personal preference and depend on what filtration you have. You use your total water volume to determine how much the % is.....For example, you said you have an 80 gallon tank with 30 gallon sump, correct? So a 10% water change would be about 11 gallons. Hope that makes sense....sorry I can't help on the RO/DI question.

 

Refurbished 90-GPD RODI System

Refurbished 90-GPD RODI System

I prefer this meter for $5 more:
HM Digital TDS-4TM Pocket Size TDS Meter

 

Put my order in this morning,
Got the 90gpd RO/Di refurb for 130 + the TDS meter for 25.00. all on its way. I tested my water this morning alkalinity was at 1.022 and everything else was @ a perf. Level. Ammonia 0, ph 8.2, nitrite and nitrate about perfect. Will only use RO/DI water from now on and will install it in the garage as soon as it gets here. I plan to do a 10% water change once it is here as well and I’m ordering a 55 gallon supply of red sea coral pro salt mix for the water change. Thanks for all the info guys. Now on to a more fun topic. What other CUC should I add. I have seen a few options that I think would be great additions to my CUC from liveaquaria. Thinking of getting 2 shrimp, a pincushion sea urchin, and 2 starfish the serpent star and a brittle star (not the green type). Any suggestions?

 

Ok so I got the RO/DI unit coming in tomorrow. I added 10 gallons of ocean water purchased from petco for the time being. So far the tank and the inhabitants seem to be thriving and doing well. the water params are excellent and everything is very active etc. I’ll be able to do 10% water changes every 2 weeks and add water as needed now much easier with the RO/DI unit you all suggested. Also bought the TDS meter that was suggested all from spectrapure. Next up before I start really looking at starting with soft corals or any more inhabitants im looking at getting a denitrator. I have seen a few that have had good reviews for around 185 dollars or so. Any thoughts and experience with these?

 

Mikey,

Great advice thus far, listen to the Rat. (the screen name, not the he's a Rat!)

YOu can add a container with a float valve and cut off valve before your float valve to you sump for any easy, reliable, ATO system.
That way you fill the primary container, shut the valve - so if the valve ever stricks in the sump, you only add a few gallons of RO/DI, NOT dropping the salinity much at all.
MIne is set up this way and the top off water is basically added as it evaporates, at about 2 gallons a day. This keeps my SG/salinity Rock solid consistent.

Also-
you keep saying alkalinity...., and yes while it is important to measure that also,

I think you are referring to SALINITY.

and actually, if you're going to go with any sort of reef tank, you'll want in higher than you have slightly, around 1.025 or even a bit higher. IMHO

 

Yes the salinity lol. I plan to increase it a little and try to get it around 1.025. or 1.025. I just ordered a 50gallon supply of red sea coral pro salt mix. Will slowly increase it to 1.025. I will have the RO/Di unit in the garage installed since I have a hose spigot in there and I will add the water 1-2 gallons every other day to keep the salinity rock solid as well. Starting to see lots of Purple coralline growth everywhere on the rocks. How long does it take to spread on the back of the tank wall would you say? I have been using the recommended purple up additive in the morning once a day for about 1 week now. I have about 125lbs of live rock in a (I thought 80 gallon but I looked up some info this week and it turns out my bowfront is a 90 gallon tank) so I have plenty of rock in there.

It will be primarily a reef tank
Any thoughts am I able to add a serpent and brittle star this weekend? My sand drifting star had done wonderful for a few months now

 

Not so sure that 'purple up' is actually doing anything.

I've never used it, and have plenty of purple rocks, Power heads, snail shells, back wall, etc.

 

Hmm I noticed an increase ill finish up the bottle than leave it to nature