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05-28-2008, 09:38 AM
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#1 (permalink)
| | Sea Dragon
Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: West Chester, Pa Age: 22
Posts: 534
|  What's More important?
Ok, I am currently cycling my 55 gallon tank. I know this is not optimal by any stretch, but I am using tap water with a conditioner for a water source. I also am running a HOB filter that came with the tank. It uses two filter pads and activated carbon. I also use a hydrometer to measure my salinity. My question is this, would you suggest i first get a RO unit, canister filter, or refractometer? I do plan on eventually getting all 3, but right now money is tight and was wondering what you all thought would be most immediate and important right now. My first thought is the RO unit, then refractometer then filter. I may be able to squeeze the RO unit and refractometer together depending on which ones I buy. Thanks for any input or advice. _________ Equipment: 55 gal, Remora Skimmer w/ maxi jet 1200 pump, 4x54w T5 lighting, 2 super actinics, 2 12,000K actinic white bulbs, 55+ lbs fiji live rock... Inhabitants: Ocellaris Clownfish, Yellow Tailed Damsel, Six Line Wrasse, Yellow Watchman Goby, 3 Chromis, Crocea Clam, Cleaner Shrimp, Astraea snails, Nassarius snails, hermit crabs, Zoa, Yellow Fiji Leather, Pineapple Brain, Mushroom, Bubble My Tank Thread  | 
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05-28-2008, 09:42 AM
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#2 (permalink)
| | Kole Tang
Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sun River,Oregon (Bend) Age: 34
Posts: 1,794
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I agree with you on your order of purchase. RO unit is a must. It will give you more time to decide on the type of filtration you ultimately want on your system. | |
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05-28-2008, 09:55 AM
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#3 (permalink)
| | Stylophora
Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: CT Age: 28
Posts: 976
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I would say that depends on the quality of your tap water and the accuracy of your hydrometer. Our tap water is actually very good, with just a little detectable amount of phosphate. My hydrometer (Deep 6) wasn't too bad either, but I trust my refractometer a little more, and it's easier to use. Why get a canister filter if you have charcoal in your HOB filter? If you're planning on doing a sump later, you probably won't have much use for a canister filter down the road.
At least you've got your liverock, skimmer and lighting taken care of.  _________  | |
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05-28-2008, 11:26 AM
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#4 (permalink)
| | Sea Dragon
Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: West Chester, Pa Age: 22
Posts: 534
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I don't think my tap water is terrible, but it does have high nitrates, 20 ppm and a lot of dissolved solids. Right now my water is not that clear and is sort of cloudy. Its not like a bacterial bloom or anything, it is kinda hard to explain. But when I look through the sides of my tank, the 4 foot way, the visibility goes down. I've been to several lfs and seen their tanks and their water is very clear, not like mine. Even when I pour a glass of drinking water I can see tiny particles. | |
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05-28-2008, 11:55 AM
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#5 (permalink)
| | Plankton
Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NNJ
Posts: 13
Karma: 8
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+1 on the ro/di unit. The "input" quality of your H2O is likely to be the largest variable if you aren't using one, as the quality will change dramatically if it rains hard, there is a drought, etc, which can change what is found coming out of the tap. Using a ro/di unit eliminates all of those concerns.
Honestly, if you are using a good commercial salt mix and measure it consistently when you make up your water, I really doubt you will see alot of variance in your specific gravity. I used to use a float arm hydrometer and switched over to a refractometer for greater accuracy. Honestly, I've NEVER had to adjust the salinity in my change water, as I use the same measuring cup and 2 gal bucket when I mix. While I did get the fancy-schmancy refractometer, I'm still measuring and mixing the same way I did when I used the hydrometer. It is consistently the same every time. I guess what I'm trying to get at is don't confuse having a sensitive way to measure (the refractometer) with accurate, consistent measuring!
Cheers!
Norman  | |
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05-28-2008, 11:59 AM
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#6 (permalink)
| | Sea Dragon
Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: West Chester, Pa Age: 22
Posts: 534
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Quote: |
I guess what I'm trying to get at is don't confuse having a sensitive way to measure (the refractometer) with accurate, consistent measuring!
| Good point! Im just worried that my salinity levels may be elevated or too low without me knowing. Unless I have something to compare my water to, I don't know how accurate the hydrometer is. I got scared when I read a thread that mentioned several people whose hydrometer readings were off by .004 or more. | |
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05-28-2008, 12:09 PM
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#7 (permalink)
| | Stylophora
Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: CT Age: 28
Posts: 976
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A good LFS should have a refractometer that they use to compare your salinity level. Bring them a sample.
Your description of your water is terrible. If I were you, I'd get an RO/DI. With the nitrates in your tap, you'll be having a swell time watching your algae grow flourish while the tank cylces. | |
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05-28-2008, 12:53 PM
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#8 (permalink)
| | Giant Squid
Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Miami Age: 39
Posts: 4,081
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I would go for the R/O unit first. That will save you time and money in the long run when your fighting a bad algae problem. Not to mention when you just cant get your No3 or Po3/4 down either. Just a thought. Luna _________ 9YR OLD 90G 30G w/d Mag18 150G skimmer 692w MH,yel&kole tang,foxface,midas&convict blenny,B&G chromies,Blk/yel fin chromie blackcap,nemo,neon goby,6line; Blastomussa Merleti,Acan ,BUBBLE,Torch,LTA, Goniopora(2), Acropora(2),Brain, Moon, assort zoas, yel& G star polyps, R&G open brain, P&B ricordia, montiporas, cup&candy corals, enias,B/G mush,flower ane(2), cherry red mussa, dusters,cleaning crew  | |
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05-28-2008, 01:39 PM
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#9 (permalink)
| | Sea Dragon
Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: West Chester, Pa Age: 22
Posts: 534
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thanks, I think that is what I will do asap | |
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05-28-2008, 02:20 PM
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#10 (permalink)
| | Aiptasia Anemone
Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: West Midlands,UK
Posts: 575
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GuitarMan89  I don't think my tap water is terrible, but it does have high nitrates, 20 ppm and a lot of dissolved solids. Right now my water is not that clear and is sort of cloudy. Its not like a bacterial bloom or anything, it is kinda hard to explain. But when I look through the sides of my tank, the 4 foot way, the visibility goes down. I've been to several lfs and seen their tanks and their water is very clear, not like mine. Even when I pour a glass of drinking water I can see tiny particles. |
This may sound stupid, but since cycleing have you cleaned the tank glass yet? _________ Hardware-55G Rena Display,Filstar XP3 Canister Filter, 200w Rena Heater, 1xKoralia 3, 1xKoralia 2, Lee's Medium Airline Protein Skimmer, 8x39watt T5 Fish-Yellow Tang, Midas Blenny, 2xClowns, Neon Damsel, Blue Yellow Tailed Damssel, Chalk Goby Inverts-Snails, Hermits, Black Long Spine Sea Urchin, Blue Linika StarFish, Cleaner Shrimp, Coral Banded Shrimp, Feather Duster, Green Bubble Tip Anemone, Coral's-Green/Purple Mushroom's, Waveing Xenia, Button Polyps, Green Star Polyps, Toadstool Leather,  | |
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