Ro/di

[trr8288]

I am very interested in beginning this hobby and came to this site to figure out how to get started correctly. Is the RO/DI unit a must when having a saltwater tank because i dont think there is an easy way for me to drain the excess water but if i definately need it ill find a way.

Tom

[kau_cinta_ku]

[welcome]

well having an rodi is not nessasary but will help out big time in the long run. like waterkeeper always says, water is the biggest part of a sw fish tank so why skimp on it. or something like that. but also make sure you get a good quality filter. some rodi systems are fairly junk and more used for drinking water. check out purelyh20, filterguys, spectrapure they are some good places

[AZDesertRat]

Waterkeeper doesn'tsay that I do! Givin him credit like that?
Actually RO/DI is pretty important but in the beginning you may want to buy your water if you cannot get a unit of your own for some reason or another. Some LFS sell water both premixed with salt and plain RO. This might be a good option for you. Others use bottled Distilled water or if you live somewhere like I do where they have a Water & Ice store on every corner thats another good option.

RO/DI water gives you consistency. Tap water changes day to day or hour to hour in some cases. Storms change the way the plant treats the water. Demands change so sources are added or changed. A water main breaks down the street and potentially contaminated water is introduced etc.
With RO/DI you control its quality. Remember water is the single largest ingredient in your system so don't skimp on it, do it right from the very beginning and you eliminate a potential problem.

[kau_cinta_ku]

oh my bad, sorry AZ ok all credit on that to AZDesertRat on that one. no cookies for Waterkeeper this time :lol:

[Playa-1]

I would say RO/DI is a good investment.

[RickySan]

well you should use rodi water however you dont need a unit...if its not a big hastle you can just buy some from you LFS they usually sell it for a $1 a gallon or cheaper

[loosecannon]

I use tap water. I put sresscote in it , and air stone for a week. when I mix up some salt ,I airstone and use a powerhead. for a week. I can`t see wasting 5 gal. to 1 wene 1/2 of the usa. is haveing a water shorteg.

[kau_cinta_ku]

thats why you use the other water to water plants, wash clothes, ect. :d

[loosecannon]

Pik-a-ka-new, I don`t need 2,000 gal. a year to water plants, an what do you do with it in winter time? And who has ther gray water hooked up to ther washing? Most pepole throw it down the drain, like you do bs artist!

[Tonblogna]

Buying it from the LFS isn't too bad. The initial investment to fill the tank hurts a little, but evaporation and water changes aren't that bad. I only have a 33 gallon, so I couldn't see investing in a RO until I get a bigger tank. Just as a reference, my LFS in 50 cents for fresh and a dollar for salt.

[WaterKeeper]

That's right I said--

<Marquee>
"WATER is the MOST IMPORTANT INGREDIENT in any Reef tank!!!"</Marquee>

Thank you----:D

[dsn112]

I bought my original fill from the LFS. They have RO/DI in nifty five gallon jugs for .50 a gallon. Cost me 12.50 to fill my 28g tank. Im keeping 15gallons in my garage for evaporation and changes. It makes it easy and really doesn't cost much IMO, for such an expensive hobby and with water being so important, go with the RO/DI, either your own, or from the LFS.

My rock is currently curing and my levels are very good considering ive only been running for 3 days. Im pretty sure using the best water made the difference.