Everything is slowly dying… What could be wrong???

I am looking into getting an RO/DI unit but I truly do not think that the quality of the water I am getting is not good. I've been using it for the last 3 years. And as I said I know several reefers with stunning aquariums and are using this unit.

I think at this time the most suitable solution is to perform small water changes for a week or so using the water I will first run all chemical tests on.

I do not use conditioners but if you suggest I ought to use them, I will.

I typically leave the water being mixed with a power head overnight before adding it to the tank.

 

Just my $0.02, you could get distilled water at Walmart for a buck a gallon until you are sure about water. That would eliminate one variable.

 

A TDS meter is a critical piece of equipment in my opinion. Without one you are just guessing at your water quality. They aren't that expensive either.

 

Not trying to be ignorant, but 3 years is nothing. It could take that long or even longer for trace amounts of copper or other contaminants to reach toxic levels through continuous addition by way of water changes. Furthermore, unless those other reefers are using your water, that point is invalid, as well.

Exactly... that's all I'm saying. Get the meter, test your water. It's the only way to remove water quality issues from the equation.

 

In the big picture the TDS monitor is more important than the pH probe. Way too much time and effort is wasted on chasing pH numbers in the reefing hobby, get the big 3 in line. Only test for pH if your corals look stressed.

 

Absolutely.

FWIW, pH is what we tested (and buffered if necessary) back in the FO days before we had test kits for the actual components. We know now that an imbalance of O2/CO2 can affect pH almost as much as cal and alk levels. Why we continue to chase and stress over such a flawed value is a mystery to me.

 

Understood. I need a TDS meter. Any thoughts on this one? http://www.amazon.com/TDS-Meter-Tem...756379&sr=1-4&keywords=tds water meter tester
Or would you recommend something else?

 

I can certainly do that. I already made 10 gallons of saltwater but will buy the remaining 15 gallons of distilled water.

 

Hanna TDS probes can be had at Walmart, or Homedepot for less than a pH monitor.

 

I just bought distilled water and decided to measure its ph, it turned out to be 9.6! I couldn't believe it. This is using a probe and API tester. I don't think I'll be using it in my tank. I should get my TDS tester tomorrow...

Any suggestion regarding buying a new vs. used RO/DI unit? I could buy a new 3 stage RO/DI for around $130
http://www.amazon.com/Coralife-0569...&ie=UTF8&qid=1402889374&sr=1-1&keywords=ro di
or an equivalent used (for unknown number of years) for $75, will probably have to replace 3 filters for another $30. Do you think I should just get a new one?