Water Changes

Dickpnp · 01/20/2012, 07:58 AM

I am really new to this hobby, i started a nano tank in august and it is doing really good. The thing is doing water changes every week is old but not that bad but going to the lfs to get water is getting really old. i was thinking of getting a ro filter and mixing my own water but what i dont know is. Is there something in the water that im buying from the lfs that would not be in mine and how hard is it to maintain a system like that?

rk_tek · 01/20/2012, 08:04 AM

Making your own water is the way to go. You are able to make sure your RO/DI filters are replaced when needed to keep total dissolved solids at 0. It will also allow you to use the salt that works best for you, and in case of emergency you can make water on the spot and not have to worry if the lfs is open.

danderso · 01/20/2012, 08:11 AM

+1 on making your own water. You can go with an under sink model RO (and also use it for drinking) and just plumb in a DI cannister for your aquarium water. Also +1 on being able to make sure your tds is at 0. Some lfs only use RO.

cjk76 · 01/20/2012, 09:02 AM

Everything that you would get from your LFS would be in the salt mixes you buy.

snupa · 01/20/2012, 09:08 AM

The only downside is Initial cost and space for the filters themselves. But if you have those two then you should definitely get a ro/di filter.

Fish Biscuit · 01/20/2012, 11:55 AM

I got tired of running to the LFS for water too. I went w/ a RODI unit from BRS. Since it's a nano tank the filters will last for a while before they need replacing. I've always mixed my own salt & it's not that bad for a little tank to do on your own. The RODI will pay for itself in the long run.

izzy123 · 01/20/2012, 12:36 PM

get yourself a RODI unit and be happy, not only can you make your own salt water, you'll have the best topoff water there is

Happy reefing

lucas73 · 01/20/2012, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by izzy123

get yourself a RODI unit and be happy, not only can you make your own salt water, you'll have the best topoff water there is

Happy reefing

Agree an RO/DI unit was one of the best of investment's I made for my system.

JerseyClowns · 01/20/2012, 12:54 PM

IMHO, the best thing you can do for your reef tank (aside from keeping your hands out of the tank) is performing regular water changes. I've been keeping a reef since 2004 and nothing perks up the overall health/quality of the tank than a 10-20% water change. I mainly keep softies and some LPS (so this obviously doesn't hold true for SPS keepers), but I don't dose/supplement alkalinity or calcium or need to adjust my PH in any way. My levels stay in the appropriate range through water changes alone, which has always been one of my goals. (my system has a TWV of ~300G and I perform a 45G WC every other week).

As others have stated, invest in a RO/DI or at least a RO unit and mix your own. I would also invest in a Brute can or other similar vessel to store you water if you have the space. There a ways to streamline the overall task so it's not too onerous. It takes me ~30 minutes from walking in my fish room to walking out to perform the 45G WC.

EllieSuz · 01/20/2012, 03:19 PM

This is the unit I use. It's completely portable and does not require any special plumbing. It hooks up to any faucet and the refills are only $27.00. This makes 0 TDS water for my 60 gallon tank, so it would be absolutely sufficient for your nano.

http://www.airwaterice.com/product/1...-DI-Added.html

zigzag1 · 01/20/2012, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucas73

Agree an RO/DI unit was one of the best of investment's I made for my system.

+1 great investment. Once you have one, you'll wonder how you ever got by without it.

sleepydoc · 01/20/2012, 08:31 PM

Ditto the investment - if nothing else, you'll make it back in gas money driving to the LFS. Plus you're more likely to do regular water changes.

The unit I got from BRS came with fittings and adaptors to hook it up under a sink. Very easy and out of the way.

01/20/2012, 07:58 AM	#1
Dickpnp Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 16	Water Changes I am really new to this hobby, i started a nano tank in august and it is doing really good. The thing is doing water changes every week is old but not that bad but going to the lfs to get water is getting really old. i was thinking of getting a ro filter and mixing my own water but what i dont know is. Is there something in the water that im buying from the lfs that would not be in mine and how hard is it to maintain a system like that?

01/20/2012, 08:11 AM	#3
danderso Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 396	+1 on making your own water. You can go with an under sink model RO (and also use it for drinking) and just plumb in a DI cannister for your aquarium water. Also +1 on being able to make sure your tds is at 0. Some lfs only use RO. __________________ It's always sunny in my reef tank Current tank info- 7 gal nano with AI Prime

01/20/2012, 11:55 AM	#6
Fish Biscuit Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,164	I got tired of running to the LFS for water too. I went w/ a RODI unit from BRS. Since it's a nano tank the filters will last for a while before they need replacing. I've always mixed my own salt & it's not that bad for a little tank to do on your own. The RODI will pay for itself in the long run. __________________ Michele I enjoy vodka entirely too much to share with the fish. Current Tank Info: 65 rimless with Eshopps R200 sump, current inhabitants randall goby, helfrichi, possum wrasse, barnacle blenny, mandarin, pistol, peppermint, & fire shrimp, snails, hermits, & LPS

01/20/2012, 03:19 PM	#10
EllieSuz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3,858	This is the unit I use. It's completely portable and does not require any special plumbing. It hooks up to any faucet and the refills are only $27.00. This makes 0 TDS water for my 60 gallon tank, so it would be absolutely sufficient for your nano. http://www.airwaterice.com/product/1...-DI-Added.html __________________ "You can't learn this hobby one question at a time." (Mr. Tuskfish) Eileen Current Tank Info: I'm out of the hobby, but used to have a60 gal. reef, refugium in sump, Internal Mag 9 return, SC 302 skimmer, two Maxi-Jet 1200's modded, four bulb T5 Lighting, Reefkeeper Lite Controller with three PC4's, Little Fishes GFO reactor.

01/20/2012, 08:04 AM	#2
rk_tek Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Jackson, MS Posts: 123	Making your own water is the way to go. You are able to make sure your RO/DI filters are replaced when needed to keep total dissolved solids at 0. It will also allow you to use the salt that works best for you, and in case of emergency you can make water on the spot and not have to worry if the lfs is open.

01/20/2012, 09:02 AM	#4
cjk76 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Kansas City, KS Posts: 358	Everything that you would get from your LFS would be in the salt mixes you buy.

01/20/2012, 09:08 AM	#5
snupa Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 136	The only downside is Initial cost and space for the filters themselves. But if you have those two then you should definitely get a ro/di filter.

01/20/2012, 12:36 PM	#7
izzy123 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Belgium Posts: 504	get yourself a RODI unit and be happy, not only can you make your own salt water, you'll have the best topoff water there is Happy reefing

01/20/2012, 12:54 PM	#9
JerseyClowns Moved On Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Washington, New Jersey Posts: 59	IMHO, the best thing you can do for your reef tank (aside from keeping your hands out of the tank) is performing regular water changes. I've been keeping a reef since 2004 and nothing perks up the overall health/quality of the tank than a 10-20% water change. I mainly keep softies and some LPS (so this obviously doesn't hold true for SPS keepers), but I don't dose/supplement alkalinity or calcium or need to adjust my PH in any way. My levels stay in the appropriate range through water changes alone, which has always been one of my goals. (my system has a TWV of ~300G and I perform a 45G WC every other week). As others have stated, invest in a RO/DI or at least a RO unit and mix your own. I would also invest in a Brute can or other similar vessel to store you water if you have the space. There a ways to streamline the overall task so it's not too onerous. It takes me ~30 minutes from walking in my fish room to walking out to perform the 45G WC.

01/20/2012, 08:31 PM	#12
sleepydoc Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,907	Ditto the investment - if nothing else, you'll make it back in gas money driving to the LFS. Plus you're more likely to do regular water changes. The unit I got from BRS came with fittings and adaptors to hook it up under a sink. Very easy and out of the way.