Reverse Osmosis

[chrisspider1]

I'm just setting up a new Marine tank at home and when I bought the tank the salesman talked me into buying pre-mixed saltwater from them. Didn't cost very much, but a bit of a hassle to keep going to them every week for new water during changes. The guy in the shop told me it would be too much hassle and smelly for me to do my own reverse osmosis, dionization and salt water mix at home. Is he right, or was he just a good salesman. I've priced some RO filters and they seem pretty reasonble. I would appreciate some honest, practicle feedback!

Thanks in advance!!

Chris

 

[kennygater]

I'm just setting up a new Marine tank at home and when I bought the tank the salesman talked me into buying pre-mixed saltwater from them. Didn't cost very much, but a bit of a hassle to keep going to them every week for new water during changes. The guy in the shop told me it would be too much hassle and smelly for me to do my own reverse osmosis, dionization and salt water mix at home. Is he right, or was he just a good salesman. I've priced some RO filters and they seem pretty reasonble. I would appreciate some honest, practicle feedback!

Thanks in advance!!

Chris

Hi its def worth doing it yourself you will save in the long run. Its easy to do and not smelly at all.

 

[HappyGeorge]

I just bought one, this is the thread for mine my new skimmer purchase I will be setting it up at the weekend, but from the contents of the box and the instructions it all seems pretty straightforward, never heard of it being smelly though, but I have a dog and a 3yr old so it would have a tough time out smellying them?

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Depends, are you on a water meter and if so what are your water rates like? Also how far away is your LFS?

Generally I would highly recommend getting your own RO unit and mixing your own salt because;
1) You will have a constant source of RO for topping off your tank.
2) You know the exact parameters of your salt water mix and don't have to worry about it changing (i.e if you buy from the shop they could switch brands of salt or change the salinity without you knowing).
3) You know the quality of it. Some LFS are very poor at maintaining their RO units which means you end up with water that is not that much better then what comes out of the tap.
4) You always have it there. In an emergency you might suddenly need to make up 30l of salt water. If you have to go buy it from the LFS this can sometimes mean that you can't do it so quickly. With your own RO unit you can make up a couple of containers and keep them stored just in case you need them quickly.

If you are on a water meter with high water rates it might not be cost effective. However you also have to take into account the cost and effort of going to your LFS all the time for water. 9 times out of 10 your better off with your own unit (unless you live right next to a LFS ).

 

[chrisspider1]

Ok guys thanks for your replies! I'm gonna get my own unit. I've also got a really stupid "rookie" question. I'm looking at pics of other peoples "live rock" and they have loads of "growths" coming off their live rock. Is that what I can expect from mine, or do you have to buy these and attach them to your rock. Right now, mine is covered with mostly purple patches and one section has just started turning a bright white.

Chris

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Depends what you mean by growths If you can find some pictures of what you had in mind we can identify them for you to let you know what they are and how to get them.

Most corals are what people buy, though sometimes you get lucky and get some that comes in on your LR. You will also often get critters (like tube worms or sponges) or macro algae that will come in on the LR and grow out from it.

If your coralline algae (the purple stuff) is turning white it is generally because the water conditions are right. However if you have only just set your tank up I wouldn't worry too much about it (there will be some die off when you first set up and the tank cycles). Also a change in lighting can cause this too. It will eventually come back purple.

 

[chrisspider1]

As days go by, i'm noticing more and more changes on my LR. The first stuff to creep up are "hitchhikers." So far i've found a stone crab, and fireworm. They are both really small, so i'm not going to try and get them out yet. Some of the purple algea has indeed turned bright white, and some of the purple seems to be turning a darker purple and looks like it getting "softer" with lots of air bubbles underneath. I've also noticed quite a few feather dusters popping up. I have to say that so far i'm really enjoying my marine tank. I'm planning on getting a "cleaner" shrimp this weekend. I can't wait till summer when my tank should be established enough to add an anenome for my percula clowns.

 

[seffieuk]

Any photos Chris? Oh and by the way, Barney meant to say if rock is turning white something is not right, usually lack of light or calcium/mag

Seffie x

 

[chrisspider1]

Any photos Chris? Oh and by the way, Barney meant to say if rock is turning white something is not right, usually lack of light or calcium/mag

Seffie x

I can't figure out how to post pics on here....

 

[kj23502]

If the purple is turning white it's because the coraline is dieing. It's probably dieing because of how long it was out of water or not in the right light setting at the lfs. Coraline turning white on newly purchased rock is kind of common.

 

[seffieuk]

I can't figure out how to post pics on here....

Sorry, we missed this

Get a free photobucket account, upload your photos and then copy and paste the IMG code into your post

Seffie x