Saltwater Curious... Just Confused. Already

[chrismr]

Does live rock replace the need for filtration, or is the live rock in addition to filtration?

 

[saltwater]

live rock replaces the need for filtration such as HOB's or canisters.

 

[chrismr]

Thank you.

I am playing with the idea of setting up a 120 litre saltwater tank....

although I need to figure out if the costs will be prohibitive. And there are still many things I need to get head around....

Are the light requirements for fish only, or fish only with live rock lower than that for a full reef setup?

 

[SkiFletch]

The only reason to buy expensive lights is if you plan on keeping corals in your tank now or in the future. Otherwise, with FOWLR you dont need fancy lighting.

 

[chrismr]

My next question is, what should one use as a water source?

Is RO water an absolute?

 

[SkiFletch]

RO is not 100% necessary but its pretty high up there. If you ever plan on keeping corals in the aquarium it is required. If you're going truly fish only you CAN get away without it IF your tapwater has no phosphates or nitrates in it. If it has either, dont use it. And even if it does, I'd reccomend using some other type of particle or media filter to rid the water of impurities. Ultimately you have to deal with the fact that saltwater fish have to drink tons of water to survive and therefore concentrate any and all solutes into their tissues. So if your tapwater has something bad or toxic even in small concentrations, it can be lethal to saltwater fish.

Have a look at this pinned article of the week for an explaination as to why nitrates, phosphates, and other toxins are so much more dangerous for marine fish as opposed to freshwater.

Keep in mind, if an RO unit will cost you too much to run in wasted water costs (applicable if you have a water meter and a high price per gallon from your town) it MAY be better to purchase RO or distilled water from your LFS or grocery store respectively. Or find someone who works in a chem lab that you can steal DI from.

g/l

 

[Chac]

My next question is, what should one use as a water source?

Is RO water an absolute?

IMO YES RO is an must, there is way to much crap in tap water