No Coral Growing Success

blufin · May 28, 2014

It looks like the Purewaterclub units are more geared toward drinking water applications. Not always a bad thing, but here's a couple things to keep in mind. If your unit has a cartridge for "taste and odor", get rid of that immediately. This will add minerals to the stripped/clean water to make it taste better. In other words, it adds TDS. It would be a very good idea to have a tds meter, if there isn't an inline one on the unit, and test your finished product to make sure it is 0 tds.
I picked one of the Purewaterclub units ramdomly and the specs showed that with 300ppm(tds?) it is down to 20ppm post membrane and 0ppm post di filter. I see you are on a well. So am I. My incoming tds before my RO/DI unit is 860. If yours is anything like mine, it may be way higher than you think. Test it. If this is the case, I don't know how well that unit will clean the water, or how long your filters will last. Just for reference, Fiji bottled water has a tds of 210. So the 300ppm the manufacturer is using as a starting point is pretty low. Not bad in fact. If you want expert advice on water and RO/DI units, send a pm to Azdesertrat. He's a member here and probably knows more about water than most.
As for the temp swings, if you can't limit your swing then you will have constant issues with livestock of all kinds.

Tetra1 · May 28, 2014

blufin said:
It looks like the Purewaterclub units are more geared toward drinking water applications. Not always a bad thing, but here's a couple things to keep in mind. If your unit has a cartridge for "taste and odor", get rid of that immediately. This will add minerals to the stripped/clean water to make it taste better. In other words, it adds TDS. It would be a very good idea to have a tds meter, if there isn't an inline one on the unit, and test your finished product to make sure it is 0 tds.
I picked one of the Purewaterclub units ramdomly and the specs showed that with 300ppm(tds?) it is down to 20ppm post membrane and 0ppm post di filter. I see you are on a well. So am I. My incoming tds before my RO/DI unit is 860. If yours is anything like mine, it may be way higher than you think. Test it. If this is the case, I don't know how well that unit will clean the water, or how long your filters will last. Just for reference, Fiji bottled water has a tds of 210. So the 300ppm the manufacturer is using as a starting point is pretty low. Not bad in fact. If you want expert advice on water and RO/DI units, send a pm to Azdesertrat. He's a member here and probably knows more about water than most.
As for the temp swings, if you can't limit your swing then you will have constant issues with livestock of all kinds.

Thanks for the information, I will look to see if it has a taste and odor cartridge definitely. I am hoping that with an enclosed hood instead of rimless my temperature swings with be more stable/consistent and I won't have the problems. When I get more monies for a different ro/di unit, I will certainly call upon Azdesertrat for considerations. Thanks for everything you have been very helpful. :cheer2:

Pete polyp · May 28, 2014

An enclosed hood will create a whole new set of problems. it won't allow for proper gas exchange and co2 will build up in the tank, then Ph will fall.

Tetra1 · May 28, 2014

Pete polyp said:
An enclosed hood will create a whole new set of problems. it won't allow for proper gas exchange and co2 will build up in the tank, then Ph will fall.

I think I should just not worry about corals then maybe. Like I said before, I never have a problem keeping plants and fish alive, it is always the corals (exception of my ricordea which is huge). I have at home a rimless 75 gallon tank and the 29 gallon biocube which is what I am switching too. The house is being remodeled so the 75 gallon will not be getting set up anytime soon. I may just quit trying on the corals for now, even though it would be cool. I love the pretty fish and plants anyway. :neutral:

deedeesdaddy · May 28, 2014

A fan may help for the hot days but if you were to purchase a cheap Window a/c unit from Craigslist it will help to keep temp stable and in turn make a nice comfortable room u will now be able to spend time looking at your newly successful tank...+1 on temp swings, gotta keep alk stable too. Always test premixed salt water solutions and get that salt level down.... well water no bueno....don't give up. U are now armed with the knowledge to succeed. R2R is an invaluable resource for reefers of all skill levels so kudos for using it. A good salt mix coupled with regular water changes is my key to success. .. but the water source plays a huge role as well. I've always used tap water with water conditioner and red sea coral pro salt. New build in the works and it's RO water from here on out. Good luck. Get the temp, salt level and well water addressed, keep using R2R and u will have the tank u want