Looking for knowledge

[Dkmoo]

Yes sir. I just wanna make sure and do it right. Can't lie, I am nervous.. Haha.. I also don't have an RODI system for water changes, etc..

O Boy - i wish you haven't said anything about the RODI b/c now all the RODI mob in this forum will come out as people are pretty divided lolol (there was quite an intense debate on this a few months ago here). But, i think everyone will agree that whether or not RODI is necessary really depends on how clean your tap is. Ie, there are many that have very successful reefs running tap water + dechlor b/c they are lucky to have 1) good source and 2) modern plumbing for their house that doesn't leak copper back into the water. @SaltISlife and @Sleeping Giant are two examples of using tab and having amazing tanks. For the rest, RODI is more a necessity.

I just looked over your water report for Moore, OK, here:

EWG's Tap Water Database: What's in Your Drinking Water?

Look up your local water system to find out which pollutants might be of concern, and find suggestions on the best kinds of home filters to remove those chemicals.

www.ewg.org

unfortunately looks like your tap (even if assuming your house's plumbing doesn't leak copper) is not the most ideal for reef keeping - the nitrate levels aside, it looks like many of the heavy metal contaminants are also above guidelines for human consumption. many of these are absolutely toxic for marine life. These may be safe for human consumption but remember a fish is on avg 400x smaller biomass than human so it's like they are experiencing something thats 400x more concentrated, plus they are constantly in it.

If funds allow, i would really recommend a RODI for you. Pre-mixed salt water may not be a good option since you have a 45G.

 

[Ryan Moeller]

O Boy - i wish you haven't said anything about the RODI b/c now all the RODI mob in this forum will come out as people are pretty divided lolol (there was quite an intense debate on this a few months ago here). But, i think everyone will agree that whether or not RODI is necessary really depends on how clean your tap is. Ie, there are many that have very successful reefs running tap water + dechlor b/c they are lucky to have 1) good source and 2) modern plumbing for their house that doesn't leak copper back into the water. @SaltISlife and @Sleeping Giant are two examples of using tab and having amazing tanks. For the rest, RODI is more a necessity.

I just looked over your water report for Moore, OK, here:

EWG's Tap Water Database: What's in Your Drinking Water?

Look up your local water system to find out which pollutants might be of concern, and find suggestions on the best kinds of home filters to remove those chemicals.

www.ewg.org

unfortunately looks like your tap (even if assuming your house's plumbing doesn't leak copper) is not the most ideal for reef keeping - the nitrate levels aside, it looks like many of the heavy metal contaminants are also above guidelines for human consumption. many of these are absolutely toxic for marine life. These may be safe for human consumption but remember a fish is on avg 400x smaller biomass than human so it's like they are experiencing something thats 400x more concentrated, plus they are constantly in it.

If funds allow, i would really recommend a RODI for you. Pre-mixed salt water may not be a good option since you have a 45G.

Well.. I need to update where I live.. I live in Yuma, AZ and I am a Helicopter Mechanic for the United States Customs and Border Protection Agency. The water here can be pretty "hard" so we do have a water softner..

 

[Jedi1199]

Well.. I need to update where I live.. I live in Yuma, AZ and I am a Helicopter Mechanic for the United States Customs and Border Protection Agency. The water here can be pretty "hard" so we do have a water softner..

As said, RODI filters are a debated topic here. Personally, I am on the "get one" side of the debate. I like the idea of having control over what goes into my tank. I would rather pay the upfront cost for the system and know exactly what water, salt, salinity ect I use than trust a LFS (and pay their prices) to do it for me.

Edit: Decent RODI systems can be had for a reasonable cost from Amazon. this is the one I got...

 

[Dkmoo]

Well.. I need to update where I live.. I live in Yuma, AZ and I am a Helicopter Mechanic for the United States Customs and Border Protection Agency. The water here can be pretty "hard" so we do have a water softner..

doesn't look much better:

https://www.yumaaz.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=28

by comparison please take a look at this one from Thunder Bay Ontario - this is the source of one of the reefs in this forum that successfully kept tap reef tank:

https://www.thunderbay.ca/en/city-services/resources/Documents/Water-and-Sewer-Services/FINAL.Drinking-Water-Quality-Report-2019.pdf

I didn't go thru all the results, but just a quick glance a couple of things popped out:

1) your arsenic is at least 50% higher.
2) your nitrate is 3x higher
3) you have detectible levels of copper
4) alkinility is 3x higher

don't mean to alarm you - I'm sure these are still within safe human consumption limits, but these can be problematic for reef tanks.

 

[Ryan Moeller]

doesn't look much better:

https://www.yumaaz.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=28

by comparison please take a look at this one from Thunder Bay Ontario - this is the source of one of the reefs in this forum that successfully kept tap reef tank:

https://www.thunderbay.ca/en/city-services/resources/Documents/Water-and-Sewer-Services/FINAL.Drinking-Water-Quality-Report-2019.pdf

I didn't go thru all the results, but just a quick glance a couple of things popped out:

1) your arsenic is at least 50% higher.
2) your nitrate is 3x higher
3) you have detectible levels of copper
4) alkinility is 3x higher

don't mean to alarm you - I'm sure these are still within safe human consumption limits, but these can be problematic for reef tanks.

Thanks for the info good sir!! I'll definitely check out the website.

 

[Jedi1199]

Ryan Moeller,​

One other thing I have noticed here on this forum, that I feel it important to mention. Many of the members here are either, experienced reefers, or enthusiastic newcomers. Many of these people have thousands and thousands of dollars invested in their systems. I advise, especially while you are learning the basics, to avoid the temptation to buy all the hi-tech stuff many of these people employ in their tanks. Most of these things are designed to automate most of the things that regular maintenance does.

I have seen uncountable numbers of successful tanks maintained through no more tech than basic filtration and regular water changes.

As a relative novice to aquarium keeping, employ the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) method!! As you gain experience, knowledge, and confidence, you can start to add to your setup. Eventually you will want to upgrade your entire system. It will ALWAYS be beneficial to you to have the base background to draw from should that sweet hi-tech piece fail.

 

[Ryan Moeller]

Ryan Moeller,​

One other thing I have noticed here on this forum, that I feel it important to mention. Many of the members here are either, experienced reefers, or enthusiastic newcomers. Many of these people have thousands and thousands of dollars invested in their systems. I advise, especially while you are learning the basics, to avoid the temptation to buy all the hi-tech stuff many of these people employ in their tanks. Most of these things are designed to automate most of the things that regular maintenance does.

I have seen uncountable numbers of successful tanks maintained through no more tech than basic filtration and regular water changes.

As a relative novice to aquarium keeping, employ the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) method!! As you gain experience, knowledge, and confidence, you can start to add to your setup. Eventually you will want to upgrade your entire system. It will ALWAYS be beneficial to you to have the base background to draw from should that sweet hi-tech piece fail.

I'll be honest.. That's where I struggle.. I do my research and see all these awesome NEW thing's and I wanna throw my wallet at it.. Haha.. I've always been one of those people that has to have "top quality"..

 

[Jedi1199]

I'll be honest.. That's where I struggle.. I do my research and see all these awesome NEW thing's and I wanna throw my wallet at it.. Haha.. I've always been one of those people that has to have "top quality"..

Ryan,

You need to step back and reevaluate what you are getting into. The best analogy I can come up with is becoming a parent. You find out you are expecting... it takes months and months before the baby is born (the research stage). Once it is here, you can't just take him out and start playing ball with him... You have to endure infancy and toddler stages (in reefing its called the "uglies", diarrhea diapers, spitting up on your shoulder, yadda yadda). No amount of money makes that change. You have to exercise patience and slowly learn as you work through this. Put forth your best effort to provide a stable environment, and eventually you will be rewarded for your effort.

You can't rush nature!!

 

[Ryan Moeller]

Ryan,

You need to step back and reevaluate what you are getting into. The best analogy I can come up with is becoming a parent. You find out you are expecting... it takes months and months before the baby is born (the research stage). Once it is here, you can't just take him out and start playing ball with him... You have to endure infancy and toddler stages (in reefing its called the "uglies", diarrhea diapers, spitting up on your shoulder, yadda yadda). No amount of money makes that change. You have to exercise patience and slowly learn as you work through this. Put forth your best effort to provide a stable environment, and eventually you will be rewarded for your effort.

You can't rush nature!!

Yes sir! I appreciate the great advice you've been giving me. Means a lot!

 

[SaltISlife]

I guess since i got mentioned. The only metals in my water supply based on the report i saw. Were alluminum and some iron. But i have nothing else if i remember. My nitrates were like 2.0 and alk was 4 or 5 i think. Which would explain why my salt mixes at 13 or 14 lol. But my corals hinestly dont see any shock from going from 8 or 9 to 14 when i do a 50% water change. The alk generally drops back down to 8 or 9 in 2 or 3 days tops. Ive been using my tap for 3 years on my reef. And 20 years for fresh water.

Havent noticed it do anything to my corals or fish.

 

[SPR1968]

I have been wanting to get into the saltwater hobby for such a long time now and still haven't taken the plunge.. I'm currently doing research for a good size to start with for my first tank. I really like the JBJ 45 gallon cube and stand combination. There are so many options out there for pumps, wave maker's, lighting, sump, etc.. I'm in Yuma. AZ and there are no LFS here.. Any help or ideas would be GREATLY appreciated!

Hi Ryan, you might find this helpful

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

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