changing from tap water to RO/DI

[msgtk]

Hi All

Need some help. I have a 55 gal FOWLR (65 lbs of live rock) and want to add low light coral. I plan on doing a 10% water change weekly with RO/DI water. Anyone have an idea how many water changes I may need to perform to have the tank water cycled from tap to RO/DI? Or would it be best to remove fish and inverts/snails and change all water except what is in the sand all at once. I can prepare 45 gallon of aged water at a time.

[MBZ]

I would not do a large water change all at once. If you did a 10g per week RO/DI water change it would take about 5 months to remove all of the tap water which would be more ideal for growing coral.
There is a water change calculator on RC home page. http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/RODICalc.php

Mark

[demonsp]

The sooner the better. Good to hear. Do a 30% water change followed by weekly 10 or 20% changes for a few weeks then start your normal rutine. YEAAAAAA

[Billybeau1]

Yes, testing will tell you when you are ready for coral.

Because you have been using tap water, you may have some high undesirables.

I would check your nitrates, phosphates and the big three. Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium.

If inverts have been living in your water, it can't be too bad. :)

Here are the recommended reef parameters.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

[msgtk]

I want to thank all of you for all the advise. I think I will do a 30% change and then do 5 - 10% changes, test water and hope I'll be ready for coral.