Pet Forum / Aquaria / Marine Reef / November 2006

With any fish tank, it all starts with the water quality. Can you use city
water? No, I wouldn't use it. Too many chenicals that you dont want will be
in your tank, chemicals that are counter productive to what you want to
achieve.  RODI is the BEST way to go,  they are not too expensive, can find
them in your local LFS or eBay. Bottled water from your local LFS, is
another way to go. Stay away from using Tap, too many problems come from the
tap.
Good Luck

It depends on the quality of the water and the stability of that quality. I've
lived in one city in which the water source was a river and the quality was the
best there is. I lived in another area which used spring water, and again it was
excellent. I've lived in a third town which bought water from surrounding
townships. You'd lose fish with a FO tank sometimes. My current tap water is
decent and stable (from local wells), but it contains phosphates.

Do your research. What's the source? What chemicals do they add? If it's
fluoridated, I would pass on it. Test it for nitrates and phosphates. If those
are high, I would pass on it. You'll have enough problems with nitrates with
your wet/dry without adding more from the tap.

Or you can skip the research and get a reverse osmosis filter.

George Patterson
     Forgive your enemies. But always remember who they are.

Hi,

Just a few comments...

1)  You need to have at LEAST 1lb of live rock / gallon.  1.5 - 2lbs /
gallon would be best.

2)  If you are going to run the wet/dry, be sure to remove the bio
balls.  They can become nitrate factories which is very bad for corals.

3)  Do NOT use your city water.  It doesn't matter how long it's been
circulating.  True, if the initial water you have has been in there
long enough the metals, nitrates and phosphate can be obsorbed by
chemical filter media, however you will be doing water changes.  Every
time you add that water to the system you'll be contributing elements
which will cause nusicance algae to grow and metals which could be
detrimental to your inhabitants.  Don't skimp in this area...

4)  Don't buy into the "live sand" craze.  It contains the same
bacteria which will grow in your system anyway as it matures...  You're
paying extra for what you can get for free.

5)  Whatever you do in this hobby, "TAKE YOUR TIME" and do your
research.