Chemicals for Newbs

[SomethingFishy]

So. I am almost ready to put in my water live sand, base rock, live rock. How do I treat the water? What chemicals are required besides a dechlorinator for salt (I was thinking API) to get it up and running. Despite fresh experience, salt seems like a brave new world. The breakdown of compounds to test for, and the additives everyone talks about has me a bit nervous. Assistance much appreciated.

Sincerely, Chemicals4Newbs

 

[robbrouse]

You should use RODI water and no dechlorinator.

 

[SomethingFishy]

I want to do RODI water but atm it is kinda the straw that broke the camels back for pricing. I am planning on getting it soon. For now to start up, our water is from a pond and is very clean with not high values of the danger things. I am hoping that will work at least to get the tank cycling. If I am wrong I can try to find a way to get an RODI system in the next few weeks

 

[GHill762]

I would just start right, you'll have element imbalances and algae issues otherwise. you can always grab some distilled from walmart.. how big is the tank?

 

[AZDesertRat]

If its worth doing, it is worth doing right from the very beginning. Wait until you can buy RO/DI or distilled water or your own RO/DI unit and eliminate the tap water from the picture. Its too early to start cutting corners already, if you are that impatient maybe reefkeeping isn't for you. I know that sounds harsh but it is reality. You will never get rid of all the tap wate rand its effects no matter how many water changes you do.
Water is the single largest ingredient in a reef system and everything depends on its quality and its stability, something you will never see with tap water and dechlorinators.

 

[beaslbob]

So. I am almost ready to put in my water live sand, base rock, live rock. How do I treat the water? What chemicals are required besides a dechlorinator for salt (I was thinking API) to get it up and running. Despite fresh experience, salt seems like a brave new world. The breakdown of compounds to test for, and the additives everyone talks about has me a bit nervous. Assistance much appreciated.

Sincerely, Chemicals4Newbs

None!!!!

most salt mixes have dechlorinators.

start the tank with macro algaes right from the start and let the macros condition the water.

Just like a FW planted tank.

after a week add a single male molly and don't add food for a week.

Once you get a molly to live for a couple of weeks then try the more expensive marine only fish.

my .02

 

[Palting]

I want to do RODI water but atm it is kinda the straw that broke the camels back for pricing. I am planning on getting it soon. For now to start up, our water is from a pond and is very clean with not high values of the danger things. I am hoping that will work at least to get the tank cycling. If I am wrong I can try to find a way to get an RODI system in the next few weeks

Not sure pond water is a good thing for saltwater tanks. In fact I would say it isn't. Too many factors to consider. Unlike FW aquariums, a lot of elements found in pond water maybe unacceptable to marine life.

I'd have to agree with the other's here: set things aside for now and save up for an RODI unit. Too many people start out in reef tanks only to quit soon after due to multiple problems. Best to start right from the get go, better chances of having minimal problems and staying in the hobby.

If an RODI is out of the budget at the moment, you can check your supermarket for RO water. Not as good as your own RODI water, but certainly better than dechlorinated tap water or uncertain pond water.

 

[cdness]

If its worth doing, it is worth doing right from the very beginning.

I can not count how many times I have said the same thing

If you cannot afford an RODI system, look at buying the water from the pet store. You don't need water changes while cycling so you have time to save up. I am assuming you are going to let it cycle correctly right?

You need NO chemicals for the display other than the salt mix.

 

[SomethingFishy]

It is a 72 gal with a 29 refug. I am not impatient just excited, this has been something I have wanted to do for a long time. A local petstore owner told me that the water around here is ideal for salt and non of her customers have to use RODI. It is coming from a pond in a national park in an unpopulated area. She said in a city or populated area RODI would be a must but around here the water is so pure that its fine. She does carry RODI systems I found out so I guess I can grab one. Anyone from a similar area (low pop, national park etc water system) have experience with this? Again, not impatient just hearing a ton of opinions and not sure what to go with. I think that is the most confusing part of salt lol, everyone has a different POV.

 

[SomethingFishy]

Saltwater Aquarium Salt: Aquarium Systems Instant Ocean & Reef Crystals Synthetic Sea Salt I bought the reef crystals mix for my salt

 

[Palting]

It is a 72 gal with a 29 refug. I am not impatient just excited, this has been something I have wanted to do for a long time. A local petstore owner told me that the water around here is ideal for salt and non of her customers have to use RODI. It is coming from a pond in a national park in an unpopulated area. She said in a city or populated area RODI would be a must but around here the water is so pure that its fine. She does carry RODI systems I found out so I guess I can grab one. Anyone from a similar area (low pop, national park etc water system) have experience with this? Again, not impatient just hearing a ton of opinions and not sure what to go with. I think that is the most confusing part of salt lol, everyone has a different POV.

Ask the local pet store owner what is the TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) of the water. If he/she does not know it, or if it is greater than 10, then they are just blowing smoke. TDS is one way to measure the purity of the water. RODI systems will get that TDS number down to 0. I doubt that any tap water or pond water can match that, whether it's in an urban setting or rural setting.

Saltwater Aquarium Salt: Aquarium Systems Instant Ocean & Reef Crystals Synthetic Sea Salt I bought the reef crystals mix for my salt

I use the Reef Crystals version. I buy the box for 200 gallons every 10 weeks or so. It has higher alk, calcium and magnesium numbers than the straight Instant Ocean version. That is important if you have a tank with a lot of stony corals that consume these minerals. If you plan to have a tank that is mostly fish and/or will have mostly soft coral, you can go with the less expensive IO rather then RC.

 

[cdness]

A local petstore owner told me that the water around here is ideal for salt and non of her customers have to use RODI. It is coming from a pond in a national park in an unpopulated area. She said in a city or populated area RODI would be a must but around here the water is so pure that its fine.

With a statement like this I would start to question the validity of everything they say. If they do not know the average TDS of the water and can prove it with a meter, I wouldn't trust it.

Water is the largest part of a saltwater aquarium and to be honest it is also the cheapest part. There is no reason to risk your inhabitants to save the $150 it would cost for a good RODI system from Bulk Reef Supply or other vendor. It will be the best investment for your tank. I consider my RODI as my best investment with the Neptune Apex as my second best investment for my tank.

 

[AZDesertRat]

If its a pond that means its either a spring which would have high total dissolved solids or it is runoff via streams etc and again would have high TDS. With a marine system all the minerals and things you need are contained in that box, bag or bucket of Reef Crystals and in the correct amounts. You mix it with tap water containing minerals and now things are out of whack. Many freshwater or brackish water systems would do well with this but not a saltwater reef, the goal is to start with 0 TDS and add only what you need via the salt. You will not regret buying a RO/DI but I might think twice about buying one from the LFS, most carry low end, mass produced imported system that have been sitting on a shelf or in a shipping container somewhere and the DI resin has already exhausted since it has not been kept damp. There are several very good vendors that manufacture and sell reef quality systems with fresh resins and some with treated and tested high rejection rate RO membranes for between $130 and $175 complete. I seriously doubt the LFS unit will compare.

 

[robbrouse]

None!!!!

most salt mixes have dechlorinators.

start the tank with macro algaes right from the start and let the macros condition the water.

Just like a FW planted tank.

after a week add a single male molly and don't add food for a week.

Once you get a molly to live for a couple of weeks then try the more expensive marine only fish.

my .02

It's up to you but I work skip the Molly. Kind of like getting a cheap dog or car before you buy the pure bread. I have always done fishless cycles. I fell it's cruel to hard any fish to cycle a tank. Read up on it.

Like that's been said a few times start right from the start. Never trust the local fish store.. They will tell you a Hippo will be just fine in a 20 gallon tank.

 

[SomethingFishy]

LOL hippo in a 20 gallon tank. Got it guys. Ordering an RODI unit, thank you for everyone's convincing advice. Now to pick one out . Also I called the town last night and apparently they do not filter the water, only use chlorine. So obviously after that my mind was quite made up. Great for human consumption, bad for aquariums. My freshwater fish will also appreciate it.

 

[AZDesertRat]

The don't come any better than Spectrapure. Been in the RO business for over 28 years and all their membranes are specially treated to improve the performance then either batch or individually hand tested. They also use only the better absolute rated sediment filters and blend their own DI resins so you get only the best, freshest resin.
Refurbished 90-GPD RODI System

 

[robbrouse]

And honestly the $130 for the Spectrapure. system is hard to beat.