Newbie - Water Situation Advice

[lrosenberg5]

Hi All - New here and looking to get into the hobby. I live in a small NYC apartment with roommates so getting a RODI setup and mixing saltwater myself is off the table for the time being. My thought is to have Imagitarium saltwater (link below) delivered on a regular basis and use distilled water to top off (note I don't have a car so also playing a factor in this thought).

Well aware that this is not ideal as I have combed this site and others for weeks now. What I am seeking help on is whether or not I should do this or just wait further down in life when I can get a proper setup?

For reference I plan on running a Fluval Evo 13.5, two clowns and eventually a few soft corals.

Imagitarium Pacific Ocean Water, 5 gallons | Petco

www.petco.com

 

[TheDuude]

That is going to get expensive fast. I had a similar situation to you with my first tank back in college.

I ended up purchasing a RO buddy and would set it up in bathroom of our apartment at night or on weekends when the roomates did not mind. You can disconnect it when not in use and if you put your buckets in the tub or shower they wont flood the place if it overfills. This will give you the ability to make saltwater in emergency much quicker than having it delivered if you ever run into a situation where a large water change is necessary.

 

[Billdogg]

That is going to get expensive fast. I had a similar situation to you with my first tank back in college.

I ended up purchasing a RO buddy and would set it up in bathroom of our apartment at night or on weekends when the roomates did not mind. You can disconnect it when not in use and if you put your buckets in the tub or shower they wont flood the place if it overfills. This will give you the ability to make saltwater in emergency much quicker than having it delivered if you ever run into a situation where a large water change is necessary.

^^^This^^^

Buying even a small rodi and making your own water will be a much better choice that trying to rely on others to get it to you when you need it.

 

[lrosenberg5]

For sure. Thank you both. Definitely aware that it will cost more in the long run but i'll do some digging into getting an RO Buddy.

Really just trying to figure out if this is just a straight bad idea for the first 6-8 months before I move, as I understand that the Imagitarium water is actual ocean water vs. just pre-mixed RODI. Curious if using that will set me up for failure vs. being patient until getting the RODI.

 

[siggy]

I live in a small NYC apartment with roommates

It's doable, look and see how much 5 gallons of distilled water cost in your area. I can get a gallon for 75 cents at the grocery store. Add salt to 5 gal jug and use when you need to. With a small tank 5 gallons will do two 15% water changes. Keep it simple with clowns and Zoas, it can be had

 

[lrosenberg5]

Have been running my tank for three weeks thus far. Fully cycled and have two clownfish in there. All seems to be doing well. I have been using imagitarium Petco water but just got a BRS RODI filter and Red Sea salt. When I do my next water change, can I just do the 25% change with the new salt water mix and slowly ease the tank into the Red Sea mix or should I ease the tank in say a gallon at a time?

 

[Biglew11]

Just keep doing the standard 10-15% water changed as usual.