Water for my minireef ? deionized, filtered or tap

[aseidman00]

I am about to order my live rock, cure it and get going on the reef I began working too long ago. Got a great wooden stand built (looks like authentic antique furnitre).

Anyway... Here's the question. What kind of water can I use to cure my rock and then fill my tank.

Can I use dechlorinated tap ? filtered (dechlorianted of curse) or do I really need deionized water ?

If the response is based on how I will stock the tank then let me tell you what I'm thinking: Recordia, zooanthids, feather dusters and related worms, maybe a few of the easier hard corals, and inverts. A friend sent me to this link to check out a tank and it sold me on this selection.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-08/totm/index.htm

I am not sure I've ever seen a nicer tank and this selection seems like a simpler one to maintain... good for me as a beginner.

Anyway... advice on the water please ! I don;t want to go nuts buying equipment that I do not really need...

Thanks,
Allen

[reefman_MC]

I would suggest you use Reverse Osmosis Deionized water. Also known as RO/DI water. You might check out http://www.captivereefs.com. I would suggest a 4 stage unit. Most RO/DI units will remove between 90 and 99.9%, according to what kind you get, of the following: heavy metals, ammoniun, phosphate, nitrate, silicate, and bacteria. When you use RO/DI water it will keep algae under control. I'm not sure of your budget so you may want to look over them and post which you looked at and one of us can give you our opinion on them.

[Birdlady]

I got a nice one from

http://www.airwaterice.com/

[aseidman00]

Do these RO/DI units need to be perminant;y plumbed or can I easily hook them up and unhook them at will ? What should I expect to spend for a decent unit ? I'm not looking for junk or the mercedes versions. Also.. are you familiar with the Aquarium Pharmacutical unit that has disposable cartriges and produces about 50 gallons per cartridge... any good ?

[Matt Rogers]

You can get a quick disconnect for the faucet.
Air Water Ice RO Kits are hard to beat price wise.

On the Product Review Board there is quite a bit of detail on the Aquarium Pharm. Filter. Click Here.

[Birdlady]

Air Water and Ice will give you either a faucet adaptor or the pipe supply valve tap. My hubby just hooked mine up. I used to have the Kent Maxxima, hooked up to a hose faucet in my garage...would fill a container and I would use water as needed.

The Air, water Ice unit (which IMO is much nicer than the Kent for less money) I mounted on the back of the tank so I can just pop it off when I need to change filters...and I fed the 2 small hoses right through the floor into the basement and tapped right into the plumbing. It comes with the supply valve, and a waste water plumbing fitting for the drain pipes as well. It is very easy to set up and use and I have instant access to top off water right at my tank , where I need it.

[Birdlady]

Here is the one I got

http://www.airwaterice.com/typhoon1.htm

I got the 75 gpd membrane. It should make the DI filter last longer than the 100 gpd. The TDS meter they have is real nice too...

IMO, water quality supercedes all else, why skimp there? If you start out with excellent water...you have a better chance of success.

[aseidman00]

Well, I finally gave in and decided to buy a decent unit instead of a throw-away device.

I found a great deal on ebay. A 6 stage RO/DI unit for 79.00. Theare are a whole bunch more out there. I checked and sure enough this manufaturers units go for double the money elsewhere... They are produced by: Watergeneral Manufacturing....in California.

Anyway.. I got bought it with a sink and outside-hose disconnect. It arrives on Friday... I'll let you know how it goes...

Thanks for the help everyone.

[Birdlady]

Good Deal!

[k9BOLX]

i noticed this thread is a little old. ANyone got any thoughts on the Kent maxxima deluxe 35 gpd hi-s. It seems lke a pretty decent unit. $215 at dr fosters. It has a pressure and tds meter included. anybody??