A few basic set up questions..

Hello all! Well I bought a nice 46 gal. bowfront from a friend and have a few quick questions. First: has anybody used Amquel plus in their water? I am wondering if I use carbon filtered water from my well along with Amquel will it be as good as ro water?
Secondly: should I put a mat or foam in between my tank and the stand? The tank had a piece of foam under it when previously used but I don't want to use it if not needed.
Thanks as always for helping me out.
Matt

 

No, chemical treatments do not equal or even come close to RO or RO/DI water no matter what the source is. My advice is always to use RO/DI from the very beginning so you never have that nagging doubt about water quality in the back of your head. Domestic wells are often high in minerals and chemical treatments and carbon have little effect on them. Not to mention neither does anything to reduce TDS which can be a big enemy to a reef system.

Often people put styrofoam between the tank and stand to cushion imperfections in the stands top surface where it supports the tank. I have never used it myself but I pay particular attention to how true and flat the stand is.

 

Got it. Thanks for the advice, I guess Ill have to bite the bullet and get an ro system going. I hope to get the tank filled really soon I can't wait to get it rolling.

 

To add to that I use it as a thermal break between my stand and the tank because in the winter time the cold from the cement floor will transfer right thru the stand to the tank.

 

Totally agree with AZD, the chemical treatments help make the water livable for fish and corals, but it does not by far create an ideal environment. We used to have a well and had some pretty hard water. Where are you from in southeastern Pa?

 

I live in Oxford and work in West Chester...I see your close by!