RO/DI + others.

jimsun · 11/11/2013, 06:08 PM

Firstly, thanks for taking the time to read my post and hopefully you guys can help me out with my question.

Im planning on starting a reef with a 36" 70g that i've purchased on kijiji. I would like to ask you experience reefers, as i'm on a budget, (1) what do you think is the best bang for the buck RO/DI in the market. (2) as well as a protein skimmer. Please keep in mind that I live in canada. My budget is below $130 for each device.

I've done some minor reading about starting up a tank. From my understanding, I have to fill the tank, with water from the tap to the RO/DI or buy from the LFS. Then from here, i should have adequate lighting (with a timer or a dimmer preferred?). Run the tank with the filter and do regular water changes for the first couple weeks(?) before i introduced sand and rocks.

Anyways, my plan is to start with dead sand and rocks. then introduce live rock and sand in the mid (70/30 dead/alive) then move on to corals then fish.
What do you guys think about this?

By the way, here are the products i'm planning on buying locally, unles you guys know a better deal online.

Skimmer
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-pets-acce...AdIdZ503343611

Lighting
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-pets-acce...AdIdZ542431189

Circulation pump
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-pets-acce...AdIdZ541796242

Again,
Thanks for your time and help.

Salty Dog24 · 11/12/2013, 08:07 AM

Spectapure 90 GPD RO/DI factory Refurbished is the best deal out there in my opinion. Spectrapure is considered as one of the best RO/DI companies in the market. They call this the factory refurbished, but it is actually brand new, just sold without a warranty.

I have one and couldn't be happier, best money i spent on my tanks.

http://spectrapure.com/FACTORY-REFUR...PD-RODI-System

Salty Dog24 · 11/12/2013, 08:09 AM

$129.99

thegrun · 11/12/2013, 08:25 AM

As for the actual set-up please read the stickies at the top of this forum, especially this one: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2075632 You need to add the rock and sand at the same time you add water. Just running a tank with water will not help get things established.

Palting · 11/12/2013, 09:31 AM

Excellent point from thegrun.

If you are on a budget, you don't have to buy all your equipment at the same time. A skimmer is one item you can delay until the tank is about a month or so old. Put that money towards the rock and sand first.

Once you are ready, here is a skimmer I would recommend: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...=c&cagpspn=pla . I have the 300 model for my 150, and it is an excellent skimmer, at an excellent price.

Nina51 · 11/12/2013, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salty Dog24

http://spectrapure.com/FACTORY-REFUR...PD-RODI-System

not to hijack this thread but is this unit "portable" such that you could hook it up to a faucet when you need ro/di water and then slip it under a cabinet when not in use? this is the sort of thing i need. tiny house, no room for an elaborate ro/di system and also need something a 3rd grader can understand.

thegrun · 11/12/2013, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nina51

not to hijack this thread but is this unit "portable" such that you could hook it up to a faucet when you need ro/di water and then slip it under a cabinet when not in use? this is the sort of thing i need. tiny house, no room for an elaborate ro/di system and also need something a 3rd grader can understand.

Check out Bulk Reef Supply, they have a "portable" unit. Really any unit can be set up this way with a simple faucet conection adaptor.

jimsun · 11/12/2013, 10:23 AM

Thanks guys for the assistance

I will definitely get that ro/di in this case and grab a wp25/45 then put the sand and rocks to start the reef. Is 1 month enough to circulate the water before i introduce a live rock?

ucdcrew · 11/12/2013, 10:25 AM

I also live in a small apartment. If you're handy - Watts makes an adapter that you stick between the angle stop of the sink and the faucet hose. You turn off the water to the sink (under the sink, the little handle) unscrew the faucet hose from the angle stop, screw on the adapter, put the faucet hose back, and then hook up the DI. I actually installed mine in the bathroom so I can run the hoses to the bathtub - that way if I forget to turn off the RO/DI it just goes into the bathtub drain so there will be no flood.

The best part is that you can take it all apart when you move and they'll never know.

iadubber · 11/12/2013, 10:55 AM

Depending on if you have a sump determines what skimmer you can use.

klwheat · 11/12/2013, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimsun

Is 1 month enough to circulate the water before i introduce a live rock?

No need to wait a month for live rock. Just make sure your salinity is correct and go ahead and add it.

Palting · 11/12/2013, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimsun

Thanks guys for the assistance
Is 1 month enough to circulate the water before i introduce a live rock?

Quote:

Originally Posted by klwheat

No need to wait a month for live rock. Just make sure your salinity is correct and go ahead and add it.

I want to add to that. Circulating plain saltwater for a month does nothing. You need to add the water and the rock and a piece of dead shrimp all together and at the same time. This will start your cycle. I will restate what thegrun already posted as well as the link: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2075632

rfgonzo · 11/12/2013, 03:17 PM

If your on a budget I would take a look at your total expense before buying anything. Things can add up fast in this hobby and people can go way over what they expected. Good Luck,

jimsun · 11/13/2013, 02:43 PM

My budget is $130 per device unless theres a good reason why i hould spend more. I have money but setting a budget is better. Id rather buy aomething thats bang for the buck than something i see expensive and reliable. Its all about the reasoning

11/11/2013, 06:08 PM	#1
jimsun Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 11	RO/DI + others. Firstly, thanks for taking the time to read my post and hopefully you guys can help me out with my question. Im planning on starting a reef with a 36" 70g that i've purchased on kijiji. I would like to ask you experience reefers, as i'm on a budget, (1) what do you think is the best bang for the buck RO/DI in the market. (2) as well as a protein skimmer. Please keep in mind that I live in canada. My budget is below $130 for each device. I've done some minor reading about starting up a tank. From my understanding, I have to fill the tank, with water from the tap to the RO/DI or buy from the LFS. Then from here, i should have adequate lighting (with a timer or a dimmer preferred?). Run the tank with the filter and do regular water changes for the first couple weeks(?) before i introduced sand and rocks. Anyways, my plan is to start with dead sand and rocks. then introduce live rock and sand in the mid (70/30 dead/alive) then move on to corals then fish. What do you guys think about this? By the way, here are the products i'm planning on buying locally, unles you guys know a better deal online. Skimmer http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-pets-acce...AdIdZ503343611 Lighting http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-pets-acce...AdIdZ542431189 Circulation pump http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-pets-acce...AdIdZ541796242 Again, Thanks for your time and help.

11/12/2013, 09:31 AM	#5
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	Excellent point from thegrun. If you are on a budget, you don't have to buy all your equipment at the same time. A skimmer is one item you can delay until the tank is about a month or so old. Put that money towards the rock and sand first. Once you are ready, here is a skimmer I would recommend: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...=c&cagpspn=pla . I have the 300 model for my 150, and it is an excellent skimmer, at an excellent price. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

11/12/2013, 10:25 AM	#9
ucdcrew Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 563	I also live in a small apartment. If you're handy - Watts makes an adapter that you stick between the angle stop of the sink and the faucet hose. You turn off the water to the sink (under the sink, the little handle) unscrew the faucet hose from the angle stop, screw on the adapter, put the faucet hose back, and then hook up the DI. I actually installed mine in the bathroom so I can run the hoses to the bathtub - that way if I forget to turn off the RO/DI it just goes into the bathtub drain so there will be no flood. The best part is that you can take it all apart when you move and they'll never know. __________________ If it weren't for gravity and law enforcement, I'd be unstoppable! Current Tank Info: 25g nano, working on new 65g

11/12/2013, 08:07 AM	#2
Salty Dog24 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Fishers, Indiana Posts: 232	Spectapure 90 GPD RO/DI factory Refurbished is the best deal out there in my opinion. Spectrapure is considered as one of the best RO/DI companies in the market. They call this the factory refurbished, but it is actually brand new, just sold without a warranty. I have one and couldn't be happier, best money i spent on my tanks. http://spectrapure.com/FACTORY-REFUR...PD-RODI-System

11/12/2013, 08:09 AM	#3
Salty Dog24 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Fishers, Indiana Posts: 232	$129.99

11/12/2013, 08:25 AM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	As for the actual set-up please read the stickies at the top of this forum, especially this one: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2075632 You need to add the rock and sand at the same time you add water. Just running a tank with water will not help get things established.

11/12/2013, 10:23 AM	#8
jimsun Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 11	Thanks guys for the assistance I will definitely get that ro/di in this case and grab a wp25/45 then put the sand and rocks to start the reef. Is 1 month enough to circulate the water before i introduce a live rock?

11/12/2013, 10:55 AM	#10
iadubber Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Farley, IA Posts: 224	Depending on if you have a sump determines what skimmer you can use.

11/12/2013, 03:17 PM	#13
rfgonzo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,280	If your on a budget I would take a look at your total expense before buying anything. Things can add up fast in this hobby and people can go way over what they expected. Good Luck,

11/13/2013, 02:43 PM	#14
jimsun Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 11	My budget is $130 per device unless theres a good reason why i hould spend more. I have money but setting a budget is better. Id rather buy aomething thats bang for the buck than something i see expensive and reliable. Its all about the reasoning