water change

Ok,

I'm doing a water change in my 10 gal. tank and reading mixed responses of what my sg should be at. I have 1 frag and 4 fish (Damsels and Clowns) with around 5 pounds of live rock. Currently at 1.025...

 

That's an excellent SG for a mixed reef. NSW would be 1.0265. However, in a tank with that few gallons a little evaporation would make your SG rise way too high too fast....better to stay at 1.024~1.025 so even with evaporation, you're still in the safe range.

 

I have a 29 Gal. and a 10 Gal. salt water tank and am currently doing my water changes with store bought distilled water. Would it be cheaper in the long run just purchasing a Ro/Di filter and replacing the filters or buying a Brita for my faucet and replacing the filters or just staying with the distilled water for $1 a Gal. since my water changes require just a few gallons... ?

 

a britta does nothing for the tank.. Also, distilled water is also bad to use.. Only use reverse osmosis water (drinking water) or get an RO/DI filter.. I bought one for about $120 and I use it daily.. I split off the line from the RO to the DI and added a valve so I can get fresh RO drinking water all day long.. its soooooo worth it..

 

I currently buy the RO water because it's so cheap, but it gets really annoying constantly going to the LFS to get some! Because of that I'm thinking about installing a RO system. I'm pretty sure it will be easier and cheaper in the long run.

 

Ahhh, That explains the rise. Thanks. Next time I have to add water or do a change due to aweekly change and exaporation shoud I slightly sower the salt dose ?

 

When topping off for evaporation, there should be no salt in it. It should be water only. During evaporation, water leaves your tank but the salt stays behind (or at least 99% of it).

 

How should I get so little amount of water to arrive at the right temp. before adding?

 

Store it in the same room as your tank. You'll add so little that if you top-off in a location with good flow a degree or two of temperature difference won't cause a problem.

 

Thanks,

Bama, What kind of system do you use to achive tank and drinking water/