Introduction?

[stevenjoy]

Hi my name is Joy. I was raised in Sacramento, but currently live in Central CA and we plan on moving back to Sacto in about a year. My husband and I have had fresh water tanks for a year. 100 gallon cichlid tank and a 100 gallon discus tank. We have mastered those pretty well! We have now jumped into saltwater. Here is what we have. 200 gallon starfire glass tank, ehopps 30 gallon sump, octopus skimmer 1 hp chiller and a dart hybrid pump. Our levels have been spot on and salinity is running between 1.024 and 1.025 with refractometer. Please forgive me I am not good with the names of the fish yet. We have crabs, turbo snails, a figi devil damsel (which needs to find a new home) tang blue hepatus or hippo tang? Maroon/gold clownfish, black and white clown percula clownfish?, orange and white percula clown, 3 strip damsel, fox face, cardinal. There is one fish in there that I do not know what he is. He is black with brilliant fine lightening blue lines 3 of them on his body with a white spot on either side of his top fin on the body. This was a tank already running that we purchased and all seems well.

What I want to know is this. We are looking into getting a ro/di system from spectra pure. Is that a good choice? We have a ton of flow with the koralia pumps in there but want to switch to EcoTech Marine VorTech MP60wES Propeller Pump w/ Wireless EcoSMART Driver but not sure whether we will need the 60's or the 40's. What is recommended? We also have 7 Fluval Ultra Bright LED Aquarium Strip Lights but 4 were sent out today because the ballasts took a dump and they were just purchased in Sept. Is this good lighting or should we consider something different? We are not looking for do corals just fish, rock, anemones. Also what is best to feed these fish? I have been feeding them what the guy gave us but he just has cheap flake. OH one last thing obviously after we get the ro/di water going what do you use to dispense your calcium etc do you use a dosing pump if so which one? I am also wondering if there are any other chemicals I will need to worry about. I always hear GFO but not sure why it is required. You can imagine what I think GFO stands for

I am guessing I went over my question limit for one day If there is anything I forgot please let me know. This seems like a great system but I am completely new at this. I think we got it all for a steal! I look forward to learning lots from all of you!

 

[bfliflet]

I use Spectrapure's RODI system and have been happy. You shouldn't need to dose calcium or alkalinity unless you plan to keep hard corals or clams. An advanced pump like the MP40wES or MP60wES is more critical for corals though some anemones do like lots of flow. GFO helps reduce phosphate levels in aquariums but is mainly used when keeping hard corals. That said, most of the creatures you list will benefit from advanced care you're asking about but probably isn't required. Originally, I also planned only for rocks, fish and anemones but once you get 'bit' by tougher SPS corals, the addiction is hard to kick.

 

[Sleepy22]

U dont have 2 dose since ur not doing corals and as for lighting u can use anything u would like since its fish only with live rock.....i would go with some cheap blue and white LEDs......i would feed ur fish frozen mysis shrimp, spirulina, brine shrimp, flake food, and sea veggies for the tangs....mix it up(diff. Food everyday!)

 

[greenhead]

Spectra pure makes great RODI systems. I prefer the Bulk Reef Supply simply for price. U can use Spectra pure filters in them also. Your dosing ideas are a little more than u need with the Fish Only With Live Rock (fowlr) even with the anemone you should be able to keep all your numbers good with simple water changes. Anemones do like a good amount of light and since I am not familiar with the lights your talking about I can't tell you if they are enough. I do have a fluval reef led on one of my systems and love the spectrum it puts out. And it puts out more than enough light for anemones.

For food I prefer PE mysis rinsed with RODI water with some garlic guard added. And I supplement 3 times a week with New Life Spectrum pellets.

As for GFO I probably wouldn't worry about it as long as your skimmer is big enough for your system as you are not planning on coral.

It sounds like you are on a good track for your first system and are starting with a large beautiful tank. Hang around here long and we will have you cramming coral in every available spot.

And welcome. You should attend some of the club meetings once you move up this way. Some very valuable information there.

 

[stevenjoy]

Brandon,

how often do you have to change the filters on your RODI system? We were thinking of getting this http://spectrapure.com/SpectraPure-Totally-Refurbished-90-GPD-6-Stage-Combination-RODI-Reef-Drinking-Water-System

That way we can have nice drinking water as well.

 

[mpoletti]

Welcome

 

[Diamond Jack]

Hi Joy. Sounds like your off to a good start. I like feeding reef nutrition products such as roe, arctic pods, mysis.

No need to dose without corals.

Pretty much any lighting is fine as well without corals.

You might want to run some carbon. Gfo shouldn't be needed if your using ro/di water it won't hurt anything.

You can run a lower salinity if your not doing corals. Not sure exactly how low.

Ask away on questions no limit

 

[bfliflet]

Brandon,

how often do you have to change the filters on your RODI system? We were thinking of getting this http://spectrapure.com/SpectraPure-Totally-Refurbished-90-GPD-6-Stage-Combination-RODI-Reef-Drinking-Water-System

That way we can have nice drinking water as well.

My unit is very similar to that one. I recently added a booster pump and a spare 75gpd membrane (to make 165gpd) from BulkReefSupply to reduce waste water production to prepare for the drought.

I live in El Dorado Hills and the water has remarkably low total dissolved solids (TDS) already. My ion exchange resin is just about ready to be replaced/recharged after ~2yrs of use. Replacing the membrane/resin is on my to-do list. Depending on where you live your mileage may vary. I think the general rule of thumb for membrane replacement is yearly while replacing carbon filters every 6months.

 

[79chopperdr]

The 10" filter housings are the same for all the brands of units. I use a system meant for the other type of reefers similar to the one in the link. It is only a RO system which would be fine for a fish only system. For $40 I added an additional 10" canister from eBay that I run DI resin in. A little more leg work but I have $250 into my 200 GPD system...

http://www.hydrowholesale.com/active-aqua-100-gpd-reverse-osmosis-system-8566

Or

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/380371565203?lpid=82



BTW welcome and good luck

 

[SpectraPure]

Not all systems are the same

Not all systems are the same

The 10" filter housings are the same for all the brands of units. I use a system meant for the other type of reefers similar to the one in the link. It is only a RO system which would be fine for a fish only system. For $40 I added an additional 10" canister from eBay that I run DI resin in. A little more leg work but I have $250 into my 200 GPD system...

http://www.hydrowholesale.com/active-aqua-100-gpd-reverse-osmosis-system-8566

Or

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/380371565203?lpid=82



BTW welcome and good luck

Steven Joy,

Welcome! My advice for you is not to buy a hydroponics system for your aquarium. It is important to choose a low micron rated sediment and carbon filter. There is a reason why people say to use our filters, even if it is another system.

If you ever have any questions about water purification equipment please do not hesitate to contact me. Even if you do not buy products from Spectrapure, I will offer you sound technical advice.

Have a wonderful night

Jeremy

 

[SpectraPure]

Also

Also

Steven Joy,

Welcome! My advice for you is not to buy a hydroponics system for your aquarium. It is important to choose a low micron rated sediment and carbon filter. There is a reason why people say to use our filters, even if it is another system.

If you ever have any questions about water purification equipment please do not hesitate to contact me. Even if you do not buy products from Spectrapure, I will offer you sound technical advice.

Have a wonderful night

Jeremy

The rejection of water that is required for plants, is much less than is required for aquarium use. Rejection is very important. Essentially each percent better your membrane rejects will enhance the life of DI cartridges.

Jeremy