New to Salt Water

[scott martin]

Hello everyone, I am a newbie looking to set up a 125 Reef tank. It came with a 30'' long sump with a filter that containes Bio-balls and some straw looking stuff on top of the bio-balls, UV Steralizer with 15 Watt 1322 bulb, 2 36'' 2 bulb light fixutes, crushed coral subatrate and about 200+ lbs of live rock. I have since added an Octopus 200 Extreme Skimmer, 2 Finnex 300 Watt Heaters, 2 Koralia EVO 1050 Powerheads, & Glass Thermometer. I reaize that I will have to invest in another light fixture to grow corals, but I am wondering if I have missed anything before I get stated next weekend. Also, I have a guy with a FOWLR tank helping with set up and he suggests running a garden hose to a trash can and mixing up the salt water solution to go in the tank. Is this a bad idea? I have read that tap water can contirbute to algae growth and may not be suitable for reefs. What if I add prime to the tap water first to remove clorine and then add the salt water mix? Sorry for the lengthly post, I am just trying to get it right and there seems to be a ton to learn.
Thanks for the help,
Scott

 

[gixxer600]

sounds like a good start but you will want to invest in a RO/DI unit in the near future but for me (not in all cases) i use tap water and have never had any issues but just got a RO unit and have seen a change in the way my corals react. But just take it slow and do research on stuff you would like to accomplish. But i will say that this hooby can drive you crazy but just hang in there and it will be all good.

 

[scott martin]

I hate to sound like a dummy, but is the RO/DI connected to your sink or is it set up under the aquarium? If I set it up under the aquarium do I have to supply fresh water to the RO/DI via a water line because that would be doable for me. Also, if I do use tap water treated with Prime to start my tank will it eventually be cycled out with water changes as long as I buy RO water from Wal-Mart?
Thanks again,

Scott

 

[eric b]

Scott Martin;541183 wrote: I hate to sound like a dummy, but is the RO/DI connected to your sink or is it set up under the aquarium? If I set it up under the aquarium do I have to supply fresh water to the RO/DI via a water line because that would be doable for me. Also, if I do use tap water treated with Prime to start my tank will it eventually be cycled out with water changes as long as I buy RO water from Wal-Mart?
Thanks again,

Scott

The RODI is connected to a water supply either under sink or many just use a saddle fitting and connect to a copper pipe somewhere in your home and doesn't have to be anywhere near your tank.

You can use the stuff from walmart but in the long run it will be faster and more cost effective to have your own RODI unit.

 

[scott martin]

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. One last question. Any ideas on the best way to transport 100 gallons of either RO water from Wal-Mart or Salt Water from the fish store? I am trying to avoid having to buy a bunch or water canisters or having to run back and forth to the fish store?
Thanks again,

Scott

 

[cr500_af]

Scott, a few things:
As for transport, you'll find that buying water containers is the only reasonable method.

The Wally World filtered water? In theory it is fine, but the service intervals on these machines are spotty, and if the filters are shot you'll get impure water. There's no real way to tell unless you buy a handheld TDS meter and buy a "test" gallon of water.

There are several things in tap water that you should know about... chlorine is a big one (and yes, Prime will deal with that). There are also usually a lot of phosphates... those aren't affected by anything that you can "treat" the water with, and that's what fuels algae growth.

Hope this helps!

 

[moebious]

+1 on the RO/DI. I was against the idea at first but since you have a 125gl its going to be a pain to lug 20 to 30 gl of water around. I would get a unit and a big brute trash can. Ask around the club and you can probably find one cheap, i did. Don't forget the TDS meter so you will know when to change the filters.

 

[scott martin]

Thanks Moebious, I am not sure that I understand the trash can idea. Do you fill it with water that feeds the RO/DI and then route the RO/DI water to another trash can or container to store for use in your aquarium? Do you have a picture of what you are using?
Thanks again, It sucks being new to the hobby with so many questions.

Scott

 

[smoothie]

Scott Martin;541202 wrote: Thanks Moebious, I am not sure that I understand the trash can idea. Do you fill it with water that feeds the RO/DI and then route the RO/DI water to another trash can or container to store for use in your aquarium? Do you have a picture of what you are using?
Thanks again, It sucks being new to the hobby with so many questions.

Scott

That's why we exist here. Post away. We are here to help.
Welcome!

 

[scott martin]

Thanks Smoothie. I am sure that I will lean on you guys for a while while I am getting up and running.
Many thanks for all the help,

Scott

 

[gnashty]

Scott - drop on by if you want to get a visual on what everyone is talking about, I live close to 75/Wade Green. I would not buy wal mart water to start up. I would wait and buy an RODI unit - check out Bulkreefsupply.com - they have some decent 5 stage units that would work great for you at a good price. you can go the prime route also if you like and get an RODI before your tank finishes cycling and you should be all set.

The trash can is to store the water your RODI produces. you can run your RODI unit off of a garden hose or kitchen faucet if you like. most people with a tank your size hardpipe the RODI unit in the garage or fish room. underneath is a waste of space. You can use the trash can to mix your salt into (never pour salt in the tank) or keep your fresh water for top off (from evaporation).

The sump you have is called a trickle filter and is used mainly in FOWLR set ups. I had one too and eventually the bio balls were like nitrate farms so I got rid of them and added live rock instead and eventually bought a regular sump.

sounds like you are off to a good start....WELCOME :yay:

 

[scott martin]

Thanks gnasty, I actully read on another blog that a guy had run a t-valve off his cold water to his washing machine and the second hose ran to his RO/DI which in turn dumped purified water into a covered trash. He then ran the waste water back down the drain tube where his used water from the washer drains. Does this sound like a good and practicle option?
Thanks,

Scott

 

[scott martin]

Hi gnasty, I have to ask about the new sump as opposed to the trickle filter. Will the reef not work with a 30" long sump with a filter with bio-balls? I read somewhere that the bio-ball had to be cleaned with salt water to reduce the nitrates (or nitrites-I am still learning). Also, you mention Live Rock. I am going to put 200 LBS or more in the 125 gallon tank. Should that not do the trick along with the trickle filter? Once again, still learning....
Thanks a ton,

Scott

 

[gnashty]

Scott Martin;541827 wrote: Thanks gnasty, I actully read on another blog that a guy had run a t-valve off his cold water to his washing machine and the second hose ran to his RO/DI which in turn dumped purified water into a covered trash. He then ran the waste water back down the drain tube where his used water from the washer drains. Does this sound like a good and practicle option?
Thanks,

Scott

Thats one way to do it - how far is your laundry room from your tank?

Scott Martin;541839 wrote: Hi gnasty, I have to ask about the new sump as opposed to the trickle filter. Will the reef not work with a 30" long sump with a filter with bio-balls? I read somewhere that the bio-ball had to be cleaned with salt water to reduce the nitrates (or nitrites-I am still learning). Also, you mention Live Rock. I am going to put 200 LBS or more in the 125 gallon tank. Should that not do the trick along with the trickle filter? Once again, still learning....
Thanks a ton,

Scott

Its a debated topic - try to run a search for bio balls on the forums and there are tons of articles about - you can make your own decision from there.

here is one to get you started

 

[scott martin]

Thanks, the laundry room is about 15 feet from the tank on the same level of the house. I will check out the link too.
Thanks again,

Scott

 

[gnashty]

Scott Martin;541889 wrote: Thanks, the laundry room is about 15 feet from the tank on the same level of the house. I will check out the link too.
Thanks again,

Scott

In that case get a Brute Trash can with lid and wheels - they sell them at Home Depot - make sure it will fit in the laundry room first...lol. Mine is about the same distance but in the garage. I just use a pump and 20' of vinyl tubing to transport the water to my tank.

 

[scott martin]

Thanks again to everyone who chimed in. I am going to post a new thread because the guy the fish store just scared the heck out of me that I might flood my house.

 

[smoothie]

Scott Martin;542311 wrote: Thanks again to everyone who chimed in. I am going to post a new thread because the guy the fish store just scared the heck out of me that I might flood my house.

Well post away on how you do it. We all have either a) have flooded our place before and know what not to do or b) have flooded our place, won't admit it and will tell you what to do
Either way. We gotcha