Sump and plumbing

[Sterrett_Tiffani]

Is an RO/DI system something I should consider as a necessity or as a bonus? Or does it depend on my water supply? If I’m using from the tap wouldn’t a conditioner be enough? I’m trying to prepare a list of things I’m going to need for a water changing station and a mixing set up. Also soft or hard plumbing for my sump? Should I buy a sump already built or build my own??

 

[DeniseAndy]

FME, you need an RO/DI to run a stable and healthy reef system. Tap waters can change their content often and we cannot always gauge or clear up with conditioners all the minerals in tap water. I have had FO tanks that were fine on tap water and 10miles away died on tap water. This was FO, so reefs are more picky.

The $160 investment is one of the cheapest in the hobby and worth the most to keep good water quality. IMO

 

[Bdrake]

Tap water can't be pure enough to justify it's use in a reef. Even if the parameters you commonly test your reef for are acceptable from the source, you may have to deal with toxic metals or other undesirable minerals that would be difficult to test for. I would strongly recommend an RO/DI unit.

 

[JoshH]

Definitely worth the investment in the long run and always a comfortable feeling knowing your providing the best water possible for your system to thrive. It also helps eliminate or narrow down problems in your tank if you know you're starting with quality water. Sumps can be DIY, mass produced or custom built. All have there advantages and disadvantages, so it really comes down to what you want out of it and what you are comfortable doing yourself. Most people hard plumb as it's a more attractive look and I would say stronger over the long run. It can scare off a new DIYer but with a few practice glue joints you'll see it's actually really easy to do.