What equipment to add first

[dib]

Hi everyone. I have a 20gallon mixed reef with a 15gallon sump. I'm looking for recommendations to add all the equipment needed. Of course it takes money so I have to break it up. I want to add a skimmer, media reactor, and a ro/di system. What are your thoughts on brands and sizes? What else would I need to have an awesome display?

 

[dbl]

I would start with the ro/di system. You're always going to need water! Take a look at the link below...a great little system and reasonably priced. Pick up a TDS meter to go with it.

http://spectrapure.com/Refurbished-90-GPD-RODI-System

 

[Brian Kim]

Hi everyone. I have a 20gallon mixed reef with a 15gallon sump. I'm looking for recommendations to add all the equipment needed. Of course it takes money so I have to break it up. I want to add a skimmer, media reactor, and a ro/di system. What are your thoughts on brands and sizes? What else would I need to have an awesome display?

I would also go with RO/DI system fist. I would suggest bulkreefsupply.com ones they come with TDS tester kit and are pretty affordable

 

[booth2010]

RODI for sure. If you have 0 tds water to start with a skimmer may not be needed. There are plenty of people who do not run them at all. Spectrapure is supposed to be an excellent brand and their refurbished systems are reasonably priced.

 

[glb]

I would start with the ro/di system. You're always going to need water! Take a look at the link below...a great little system and reasonably priced. Pick up a TDS meter to go with it.

http://spectrapure.com/Refurbished-90-GPD-RODI-System

I agree. RODI first is the best investment. Next I'd make sure you have good water tests. I use salifert for Mg, Ca and nitrates, Hanna checkers for phosphates and alk, and a hydrometer for salinity. Then I'd add a skimmer. Gfo reactors aren't that expensive and help with phosphates.

 

[Reefing Madness]

No need for a skimmer on such a small tank, with a sump. If your going to add that, I'd wait to see how your water params pan out, you may find out that weekly water changes will keep your water in check, and not need one.

 

[Stanstatic]

I would not recommend a skimmer. For now just do water changes with you ro/di system and keep the fish pop. low. I work at a pet store and I try to help people use their money wisely so do not regret getting into this great but expensive hobby.

 

[dib]

If I get the ro/di system and already have an algea problem, do I have to replace all my rock? I was told by someone that I would need to. Just wondering if that is true.

 

[Lynn52]

No need to get rid of rocks. If you get the nutrients down algae will die off slowly. GFO will help there. BRS has a small GFO/carbon reactor as a door buster I think it is around $40 with the pump. I just got the bigger one.

 

[mrtian97]

for tank that size, is it worth to invest RODI system or is it more economical buy the RODI Water from the lfs?

I like to support my local lfs that gives me good advice and even help me setup some equipment that I buy from him. he house my livestocks until my tank cycle is complete. just my 0.02

 

[dbl]

I have a great LFS I love to give business to, but when it comes to water, it's my opinion you should be in charge of that yourself. It's actually one of things we can/do have control over. This is of course if you have the means and the space.

As much as I love the help I've received from my LFS, they get busy and their rodi maintenance sometimes slacks. Again, this is my experience and opinion, your's may be different.

 

[mrtian97]

good point dbl.
What's usually the cost to replace the cartridge filters of the RODI system, and is it replaced annually?

 

[dbl]

good point dbl.
What's usually the cost to replace the cartridge filters of the RODI system, and is it replaced annually?

That would depend on the quality of your supply water and the system you are using. In my case, I'm using a Spectrapure Max Cap 180gpd system and my supply water comes in at about 200 TDS. I error on the side of caution and replace my pre-filters every 6 to 8 months to the tune of about $70, if I catch them on sale. I'm expecting to get 3+ years from my membranes.

For reference, I do a 25-30 gallon water change weekly and evaporate about 2-3 gallons per day.

 

[AZDesertRat]

RO/DI for sure. Water is the single largest ingredient in a reef system and everything depends on its quality and its stability. Without good reliable water everything else isn't worth a hill of beans. You will not find a better system than the Spectrapure already mentioned above.

Cost of operation including average water and wastewater costs, replacement sediment and carbon block filters and DI resin averages about 5 cents a treated gallon. You replace the sediment and carbon block filters every 6 months at a cost of around $18-$25 for high quality replacements and the DI resin or cartridge when your handheld TDS meter no longer says it is 0 TDS. This varies from user to user with tap water conditions, pressure and temperature, how much water you make and how large of batches you are able to make it in.

 

[mrtian97]

thanks for the feedback, it's considerable. I heard wastewater is pretty high %, any idea the ave wastewater or yield %, I live in southern california, which they somewhat limit water uses per household

Thanks

 

[AZDesertRat]

In Southern California with its high TDS and hard water you would want to operate any RO or RO/DI at 4:1 waste ratio so the membrane lasts. If you have a Water softener you could probably cut that to 3:1. This would be true of any vendors systems since it is the waste stream that flushes or cleanses the RO membrane. It's not as bad as it seems, if you make 200 gallons a month you would send 800 gallons to the sanitary sewer to be treated and reused or recharged, it doesn't go to waste. In Phoenix that 1000 gallons of water and sewer treatment charges is about $5 during peak months and less in winter.

 

[mrtian97]

thanks for the input, my tank is 120 gallon with fall precipitation of 1.25 gpd and I plan water changes of 12 gallon (10%) per wk, that's approx 60 gallon per 4 wks of RODI