RO/DI for a qt tank?

joem1cha3l · 03/15/2011, 02:18 PM

this is probably a stupid question, but i assume RO/DI is a must for a QT tank? Are all levels of the water as important in a QT tank for just fish? (i.e. calcium, alk, etc)

Virtuoso · 03/15/2011, 02:21 PM

Definitely use RODI as it is going to be a smaller tank and more prone to fluctuations and you won't have any live bio filtration going on (live rock, sand, etc). I do not think calcium and alk are as important for fish, whatever comes with your salt mix should be fine.

From my limited understanding of the topic, at least.

goofball310 · 03/15/2011, 02:39 PM

+1 on the RO/DI...

It would probably be best to keep all levels at an acceptable range.

If I remember correctly I think alkalinity levels are also tied into pH levels.

I don't keep a QT tank running 24/7/365. I have a 10 gal tank with a HOB skimmer and a powerhead that I fill with 8 gals of water from my display and 2 gals of new saltwater that I only set up when I buy a new fish or corals. If I kept it running longer than the QT period I'd be too tempted to keep more fish or corals in it.

RedM3 · 03/15/2011, 02:43 PM

Alkalinity can help buffer pH and keep it more stable, but the two do not directly correlate. Calcium and other elements that you'd potentially add for corals don't matter for fish. At least any fish that I'm aware of...

In the end, it definitely can't hurt to use RO/DI. I'd be more inclined to make my QT as close as possible to my DT though.

03/15/2011, 02:18 PM	#1
joem1cha3l Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,158	RO/DI for a qt tank? this is probably a stupid question, but i assume RO/DI is a must for a QT tank? Are all levels of the water as important in a QT tank for just fish? (i.e. calcium, alk, etc) __________________ IM10G Nano - MP10, AI Nano, RKL

03/15/2011, 02:43 PM	#4
RedM3 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 187	Alkalinity can help buffer pH and keep it more stable, but the two do not directly correlate. Calcium and other elements that you'd potentially add for corals don't matter for fish. At least any fish that I'm aware of... In the end, it definitely can't hurt to use RO/DI. I'd be more inclined to make my QT as close as possible to my DT though. __________________ Fish: 2 Percula Clownfish Inverts: 2 Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, CUC Corals: Kenya Tree, Long Polyp Leather Current Tank Info: 55g Reef

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03/15/2011, 02:21 PM	#2
Virtuoso Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 727	Definitely use RODI as it is going to be a smaller tank and more prone to fluctuations and you won't have any live bio filtration going on (live rock, sand, etc). I do not think calcium and alk are as important for fish, whatever comes with your salt mix should be fine. From my limited understanding of the topic, at least.

03/15/2011, 02:39 PM	#3
goofball310 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 1,002	+1 on the RO/DI... It would probably be best to keep all levels at an acceptable range. If I remember correctly I think alkalinity levels are also tied into pH levels. I don't keep a QT tank running 24/7/365. I have a 10 gal tank with a HOB skimmer and a powerhead that I fill with 8 gals of water from my display and 2 gals of new saltwater that I only set up when I buy a new fish or corals. If I kept it running longer than the QT period I'd be too tempted to keep more fish or corals in it.