Need advice !! Ready to give up

[Scrubber_steve]

Just wanted to say the tank was doing excellent! before the ATO faliure.

Tap water is a no no James when keeping corals & inverts, especially if activated carbon is not used regularly.
Yes, it can be a slow road to oblivion.
RODI is a must. So is testing for alkalinity & calcium.

 

[James M]

I’m not pointing fingers but you would be amazed by how long a coral can hold on. How long did you have the GSP? In a year it should have overgrown most things in a small tank.

I am guessing it is a small tank because otherwise you could have gone quite a few days with no ATO top off and things would have been fine.

As I stated its a 20, gsp isn't the only thing that died. Don't know how long I had it for. Wouldn't really overgrow anything considering its been on its own island.

 

[ZaneTer]

Regardless of the cause I think you are doing the right thing by doing water changes although I still suggest getting a rodi unit. Have you checked your refractometer for its accuracy?

 

[pshootr]

In regard to the mention of copper. It is possible that your tap water has not always had this level of copper. Also as was already mentioned, the level of copper has been increasing every time you add water.

I would be curious to see how much copper is in your tank. I would find a way to test it if I were you.

You are also going to want to have alkalinity tested. Just so you can maybe rule that out.

 

[James M]

Regardless of the cause I think you are doing the right thing by doing water changes although I still suggest getting a rodi unit. Have you checked your refractometer for its accuracy?

Its accurate. Im looking to order one now !

 

[Scrubber_steve]

Its accurate. Im looking to order one now !

Remember that refractometers need regular calibration.

 

[James M]

Remember that refractometers need regular calibration.

I know

 

[ZaneTer]

James don’t waste money on a monster unit and a 3 stage is perfectly fine. You could get an ICP test done but that honestly won’t help you right now although it would be great to know exactly what your tank parameters are and also any metal contamination.

 

[James M]

James don’t waste money on a monster unit and a 3 stage is perfectly fine. You could get an ICP test done but that honestly won’t help you right now although it would be great to know exactly what your tank parameters are and also any metal contamination.

Thats great because Its hard for me to make big purchases because im still in highs school. Any recommendations?

 

[ZaneTer]

Send us the amazon links and we will have a look for you.

 

[James M]

https://www.chewy.com/aquatic-life-...MI45Czj5P53gIV9B-tBh3eSAXyEAQYAiABEgLR7PD_BwE

 

[ZaneTer]

That one looks fine to be honest. I personally use a 75gpd but I fill up a 250g container then top off from that. Don’t constantly run the rodi.
Use it to fill up your large container then stop and it will greatly prolong its life.

 

[Katrina71]

Don't give up. This is just a hiccup. A learning experience. Your tank will be excellent again. Better with this knowledge under your belt.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

but I've been using tap water since since I started the hobby and my snails never had a problem in the 10 gallon that was set up for a year. I will get back with my city water results.

You can go to the water machines in most grocery stores and fill your container with 5G of RODI for about $1.50. I’ve had to do that in the past while waiting to setup my RODI in a house we bought. It’s close to 0 tds typically and much better than treated tap water.

 

[wesman42]

Well, with a TDS of 1,000 coming from the water report, he would need more than a 3 stage I'm afraid.

 

[James M]

Well, with a TDS of 1,000 coming from the water report, he would need more than a 3 stage I'm afraid.

Recommendations?

 

[wesman42]

Recommendations?

Look for a 5 stage. You can also do a 4, then add another DI canister later if that's the issue. But without a tds meter, and a way to check it's hard to tell. I'd call BRS and ask which would would be the bare minimum for that high of a TDS.

 

[Super Fly]

Well, with a TDS of 1,000 coming from the water report, he would need more than a 3 stage I'm afraid.

WOW 1000TDS!... I'm gonna stop complaining about NJ water. lol
Also consider using 2 DI canisters as I've heard folks who use 2 DI canisters get more mileage out of them vs when using one. Buy the DI resins and refill yourself to save $

 

[Scrubber_steve]

WOW 1000TDS!... I'm gonna stop complaining about NJ water. lol

Yeh, my town water comes in at a TDS of around 50

 

[Katrina71]

Where do you live?