Am I ready for rock?

[alexk3954]

I have all of the following and was wandering wether I am ready to go out and get some live rock.

37 gal tank and stand
3 maxijet 1200's
ebo jager heater
aquac remora
test kits (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, ph,alkalinity)
refractometer
PC lighting
2 20 lb, bags carib sea arag-alive

So am I ready, or do I need to buy more stuff?

 

[Andrew]

Should be fine. How old is the tank?

 

[alexk3954]

the tank is brand new, not even water in it yet.

 

[mike89t]

Where are you going to get your water?

I would recommend a RO/DI unit so you will always have pure water available for topping off your tank or making a fresh batch of salt water.

 

[Brenden]

Using LR to cycle your tank is a good way to go. Set the tank up and go for it. As Mike said RO/DI is a REALLY good idea

 

[mike89t]

Definetly use your live rock to cycle your tank when you are ready.

I forgot to mention one of the best things I purchased for my tank, a reef computer. Orginally I was going to buy a wave maker and a cheapo set of timers to control my lights. Then I decided to get an Aquacontroller Jr. It was one of the best things I ever did for my reef.

I've got my computer programed to turn my ligths on and off to simulate the day. Then it turns the moon light one to simulate night. I've also got it set up to shut off my heaters if one of them sticks on which seems to be a somewhat common occurance with heaters. I've programed it to shut off my lights if the water tempature gets to high. It also controls my power heads to simulate wave motions. Then it monitors my PH and Temperature and constantly displays these values so I always know what is going on in my tank.

If you got a little extra cash it's worth the money.

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=NS1163

 

[alexk3954]

I plan on using water from the lfs. How much is an RO/DI? I plan on working a TON at my lfs this summer, so I will have extra cash to spend. How often do you need to buy new filters for the ro/di, are they expensive?

Oh and I was planning on getting a controller when I have the cash. How easy is that aqua controller jr to use? I was planning on the reefkeeper 2.

Looks like I will get that LR this weekend, so you can all expaect a flood of questions when I get some plagues in my reef (actually a bit nervous about flatworms and algae )

 

[mike89t]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7335062#post7335062 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by alexk3954
I plan on using water from the lfs. How much is an RO/DI? I plan on working a TON at my lfs this summer, so I will have extra cash to spend. How often do you need to buy new filters for the ro/di, are they expensive?

Oh and I was planning on getting a controller when I have the cash. How easy is that aqua controller jr to use? I was planning on the reefkeeper 2.

Looks like I will get that LR this weekend, so you can all expaect a flood of questions when I get some plagues in my reef (actually a bit nervous about flatworms and algae )

If you can get the water cheap at the LFS you work at then that's the way to go. 37 Gallons isn't too much water to lug around in your car.

The Aquacontroller Jr is very easy to use. I had mine all programed and running in about an hour.

 

[alexk3954]

79 cents for saltwater and 29 cents for fresh, would you consider that a good deal, or should I invest in RODI

 

[mike89t]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7335150#post7335150 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by alexk3954
79 cents for saltwater and 29 cents for fresh, would you consider that a good deal, or should I invest in RODI

That sounds like a pretty good deal. I would just make sure you test the water from the LFS. A lot of times they leave their filters in longer than they should be and you will see a higher TDS in the water they sell you.

Ideally you should have Zero TDS in the pure water that you use to make salt water. The only way you can get Zero TDS is with a RO/DI unit.

This is the unit I have so you can see how much it costs:
http://www.airwaterice.com/product/1TYPHOONIII

 

[alexk3954]

thanks for your help, looks like another investment for the semi-near future.

 

[Amy83820]

You might want to do some math... someone on here figured out it was like 7 cents a gallon for saltwater if you were using an RODI (taking in account the price of salt and water). The RODI paid for itself in about 4 months. If you buy it from the lfs, make sure to have a bunch on hand at all times. Emergencies only happen after all the stores are closed and you have no water or salt

 

[Amy83820]

www.purelyh20.com has great products and the BEST customer service ever! Check there too...

 

[alexk3954]

I think I will definetly get an RO/DI, but I will start off with LFS water. Right now I am spending all my cash for LR so I can get the cycle going and hopefully add at least CUC by summer.

 

[mike89t]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7335493#post7335493 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Amy83820
You might want to do some math... someone on here figured out it was like 7 cents a gallon for saltwater if you were using an RODI (taking in account the price of salt and water). The RODI paid for itself in about 4 months. If you buy it from the lfs, make sure to have a bunch on hand at all times. Emergencies only happen after all the stores are closed and you have no water or salt

Well a decent RO/DI unit costs about $150-200. That doesn't include the cost of replacing the cartridges/DI Resin/RO Membrane.

350 gallons would be enough for a years worth of RO/DI water for a 37G Tank(Initial Fill/water changes/Topoff). At 29cents per gallon, 350G would still only be around $100.

I agree that in the long run a RO/DI unit pays for itself. Especially if you have a larger tank. However with a 37G tank you can get away with buying your water for a while.