I'm a newbie. 125g mixed aquarium, 150-170 lbs of LR and LS, my local LFS tests my water so I don't know the exact parameters (they say the water is good), t12 lighting, filtered tap water. Which is more important...to upgrade the water by purchasing an RO unit or updating the lights (my local LFS says the t12s are outdated and hard to find). Everything seems healthy. The fish eat well and are very active so I don't think there is any immediate danger.
Help a newbie: Which is more important now?
- Thread starter pastorfry
- Start date
Osteoclast
New member
Water quality is the most important variable. RO/DI is choice number 1. Good luck with your tank.
walkerbrody
lost ball in high weeds
get a rodi, learn how to diy your own lights. You can find m57 ballast that will run 175w halides for cheap (m58=250 m59=400). You can find cheap sockets and bulbs on auction sites . You can build great lights for less than $100. No need to spend $500-$600.
ridetheducati
20 and Over Club
+1000
SantaMonica
Well-known member
Assuming "mixed aquarium" means mixed fish and not mixed reef, then the rodi would be the best help compared to lights.
CyclistMT
More Idiot Than Savant
As everyone else indicated, the RO/DI unit should be your first priority and this - (my local LFS says the t12s are outdated and hard to find) should be translated to this- (my LFS doesn't stock t12's and in an effort to sell me what they have tell me t12's are hard to find).
I like to support LFS (I used to manage one) but when they flatout lie to me, I take my business elsewhere. A few RC sponsers can hook you up with t12's and a 30 second internet search will yield many more results. Your LFS can use the same distributors the internet stores do so t12's are very easy to source.
Current tunes: Art of Dying - I Will Be There
Sorry for the lack of clarity. I mean fish and coral.
downbeach
New member
I would start with a decent Refractometer and calibration solution for salinity.
Test kits should include:
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
pH
Phosphate
Calcium
Alkalinity
Magnesium
Tropic Marin makes a 'complete' kit that contains: Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and pH. Red Sea Pro, makes a kit that contains: Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium. For Phosphate you should get a Hanna checker.
Test kits should include:
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
pH
Phosphate
Calcium
Alkalinity
Magnesium
Tropic Marin makes a 'complete' kit that contains: Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and pH. Red Sea Pro, makes a kit that contains: Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium. For Phosphate you should get a Hanna checker.
celamb89
New member
If you do have corals in there... light will be an issue, you can buy RODI water from the LFS or elsewhere but lighting needs to be strong enough for the corals, this will depend on what type u are keeping or want to keep (SPS, LPS, Softies)... I would upgrade the lights (T5, LED, MH) and buy test kits... RODI you can buy until you have enough cash to buy a filter unit..
Well it's no surprise but yes RO/DI... Lighting is important but not necessary at this stage of your tank. The next thing is your test kits to include cal/alk/mg and possibly copper since you have been using tap water... Once you test your own water and know your levels are stable, upgrade your lights and begin to mix in your corals...
Similar threads
