Filling our tank for the first time, what to use?

[laguest]

If things go well this weekend we hope to fill our 75 gallon reef tank for the first time. We are new to the hobby so we didn't invest in a RO/DI system just yet. We are in San Jose and right now thinking of buying Neptune Aquatics Natural Seawater that they sell. Any thought on using this vs getting true RO/DI that has quality salt mix added? Not sure where I can get that if I needed to go that route.

This is what they say at Neptune.
Natural Seawater
Filtered and Enhanced for reef
PH: 8.2 "“ 8.3
Alkalinity: 10 "“ 11 (Enhanced)
Calcium: 350 "“ 450 (Enhanced)
Salinity: 1.024 "“ 1.026
Thanks!

 

[koko maung]

My advice is buy RO-DI system. In a long run, it will be cheaper. You will need RO-DI water for mixing your salt and topping off evaporated water. That could be easily 30 - 40 gallon a month. Imagine gas + time and lifting that you have to do from Neptune to your house. If you are very tight on your budget, look for a used one in this forum or craigslist. I believe RO-DI system is must have item in this hobby.

Many people use BRS 4 Stage RO-DI system.
Something like this
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-4-stage-value-water-saver-plus-ro-di-system-150gpd.html

 

[xCry0x]

Nothing wrong with using store water, plenty of people use it - otherwise they would not have massive containers of salt and rodi =)

I own a BRS 4 stage rodi and used to make my own water. Switched to just buying 5g a week from the store. Just recently went back to making my own again simply because I wanted the profile of the red sea coral pro salt.

I personally found that when I used IO salt that took 24 hours to mix I OFTEN would be motivated and make it on Saturday and then get busy and forget about it until the next week due to having to wait a day between starting and finishing the activity.

Buying water was nice because I could buy it - heat it up in an hour and do my water change within the same window of productivity. It is a perk to red sea coral pro salt - it mixes in 20 minutes and you are not supposed to let it mix longer than 2 hours otherwise it starts to precipitate.

 

[marioensf]

As you get deeper into the hobby, get your RODI unit and mix your sw, your back will appreciate not hauling water around for regular maintenance and you will have top-off water on demand.

 

[bacon5]

The Natural Seawater will be fine to get the tank started and running. Eventually, you will most likely want to mix your own water, so you can use a salt mix that is tailored to the specific needs of your system. Also, if you decide to get the water from Neptune, I would recommend getting the prepaid water card, so that way you can get a discount on the water.