thank u

[reefswinger]

hi.first thanks for doing this. i got the family a 92 gallon corner tank from my local aquarium store for christmas. and plan to make a reef tank. So in a couple of days i will begin set up. my first question is about reverse osmosis water. i understand it is important and know i have to get a unit. however with the initial expenses and understanding i am not going to rush adding "live' things other than rock and sand , could i use tap water first? the reason i ask because the people at the aquarium store said i could since i live on a well. i know my well water is high in Ph. from taking care of our swimming pool and tastes and smells very good. the only bad thing is its a little 'dirty', water that has sit for a while with have a brown layer at the bottom. i think i know the answer im going to get here and i also know its easy to spend other peoples money. i just wondered with the amount of water changes i will need to do in the initial set up is it really THat important to spend the additional dollars on the reverse osmosis unit? thanks

[46FiatYamaha]

Welcome. The reason for the RO/DI is to remove the impurities that would cause excessive algae growth and improve the health of everything living in the tank, which is everything. If you have well water, without a comprehensive test of many different chemicals, would be quite risky, especially if it has minerals settling in the bottom. In the scheme of things $169 doesn't sound so bad http://www.buckeyefieldsupply.com/showproducts.asp?Category=168&Sub=166 Also, why does it need water if there is nothing living in it yet?

[WaterKeeper]

Hi Reefswinger
[welcome]

It is always better to use RO/DI to start things and it is usually more important with a well in Ohio. We typically have fairly high nitrates in the water around here and that is bad for a reef tank. That brown precipitate is probably oxidized iron (rust) and, while not really harmful, gives you an idea of what else that good old well water might hide in it. See if this helps Reefkeeping 101-Water (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-10/newbie/index.php)

[wab]

Welcome, Water keeper is the man and I do exactly what he says. Imo you should look for someone local who can do a full test on your well not for the fish but for your family. Some colleges in your area might do it for free. good luck

[Darren neil]

Welcome. I have been useing well water for a year now and my water is never out of check. i do a water change once a month of 15 gallons on a 120 with a 55 gallon sump.but i check my well water for nitrate,ammonia and phosphate. there always zero so i dont see a problem with it and i have all kinds of coral and fish and there doing great thats just my to sents worth.

[reefswinger]

thank u all. i had meant to add this post to an existing one but some how instead started a new thread. im new to forums. i know in the grand scheme of things $169 is not too much more to add. i just thought , heck if im going to have all these problems initially anyway and have to do several water changes etc etc i had just wondered if it was one 'of those things'. ok i guess its not. its only money right? and it will only mean having to wait another few days to fill the darn thing up. i never dreamed this hobby would cost so much getting started in. im not regretting it yet.

[WaterKeeper]

:lol:

It is saltwater sticker shock. Costs for a reef tank are far higher than keeping some neon tetra's. Run one of those reef tank screen savers on Wed. night and just tell the family that you'll have something like that by next summer. If it is worth doing it is worth doing right.

Here is more on setting up a tank--

Here are the current Reefkeeping 101 articles--
Tank Selection (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-11/newbie/index.php)
Lighting (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-12/newbie/index.php)
Sumps (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-01/newbie/index.php)
Completing The Set-up (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-02/newbie/index.php)
Natural Filtration I (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-04/newbie/index.php)
Natural Filtration II (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-05/newbie/index.php)
Natural Filtration III (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-06/newbie/index.php)
Various Nutrient Control Methods (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-10/newbie/index.php)
Adding Some Science to Your Tank, Part 1 (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-11/newbie/index.php)
Adding Some Science to Your Tank, Part 2 (http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-12/newbie/index.php)

[reefswinger]

thanks . yes lots of stuff to read. and its free. thanks to u guys. i didn't think of the screen saver idea. too late now though. p.s. the aquarium place only gave me 100 lbs of sand , in there 'package'. whats up with that? it seems like u guys are all saying much more than that. oh well. i guess its the old bit and switch. p.p.s. lots of info on sand. i cant find this "southdown' sand. can i use play sand or silica sand to suplement the living sand i got in my marine tank package i got at the aquarium store?