Canisters, PowerHeads and live Rock

Also I forgot to ask. I picked up some base rock (dead live rock). Can I just rinse it off with tap water and use it as base rock for the live rock to sit on? Then it should become liverock eventually correct?

I was going to put it in the 55 Temp tank with the new live rock.

 

Sure.

I am anal though and only use RO or RO/DI water even for curing live rock or cleaning it. I don't want any possibility of introducing contaminants to my systems.

 

I'd be anal too, but I dont have the money right now for an RO/DI. Maybe ina few months.

 

If you don't have the money for a RO/DI at least purchase RO or distilled water to fill the tanks. Never use tap water. Start it out right from the beginning. I consider RO/DI to be as important as the rock, sand, fish or corals, after all its the single largest ingrdeient in an aquarium and everything single thing in that aquarium depends on it to live and flourish.

 

My Tap water around here is actually pretty decent. I have spoken to a few LFS salt stores and they have said there are lots of users of tap water around. I'm sure there are quite a few people running on Tap water no?

 

I wouldn't try it. I'm a WTP Supervisor by profession and I won't even think about it.
Tap water is inconsistent at best.
Where are you located and have you checked their water quality report personally. Never assume or take one or two peoples word for anything in this hobby. Get a TDS meter and check it personally before even thinking about it. More people get turned off on the hobby by getting in a hurry, trusting the LFS, using unknown quality water and adding miracle supplements and additives. All are disasters waiting to happen. If you can't afford to buy a RO/DI or at least purchase water from a trusted source then maybe you need to hold off a little longer.

 

I know my friend has used local tap water in his tank for the past year and his tank has been great. He just bought a new RO/DI unit since he upgraded to a 150 Gallon. I probably will purchase an RO/DI unit for the 90 gallon to start off with. As I will end up cycling the tank it will give me at least a month before I need a protein skimmer after that anyways. As for the temporary 55 Gallon tank thats going to hold the live rock until I setup the 90, I just used Tap water. I wont be keeping anything in the tank other than the live rock anyway for awhile.

This is a daily report of the local water quality. i dont know if it gives everything but its an idea.
Daily water quality report


I have a few more questions for you guys.

1.) What PH range should a Mixed reef tank remain around?

2.) Does Seachem Prime have an expiration?

3.) Cycling proces - Generall you have ammonia increase, which is then turned to Nitrites, then to Nitrates correct? Is the only way the Nitrates are removed from the system by water changes?

 

Your water report says the conductivity averages about 350 microsiemens per centimeter. That means your TDS is somewhere in the 200 ppm range, definitely not good for a reef system. They also say the have to add caustic to raise pH, you might check with them to see if they add any phosphates for corrosion control in the distribution system, that would not be good at all.
Just trying to help.

 

Alright, noted.

It should be find for my Live rock though hey? Just to house the live rock for the next month. If I have an RO unit setup for the 90 gal permanent tank I should be fine then I would think.

 

I cure my live rock in RO/DI so I never have to question if it was the water. Thats buying brand new rock from the collector and picking it up from the airport myself though so it has not ben in anyone elses system. I suppose with rock acquired from another tank the damage may have already been done though so trated tap water would work. Personally I would still use RO/DI.