new DIY nano, and tap water question

[kwirky]

Hey,

Ok, so I'm almost done setting up my DIY nano tank. It's a 33 gallon (36x12x18) that's been divided in half. 16 gallons tank area, 16 gallons sump.

I'm running two coralife mini aqualight 9" (9+9 watt) lights. Total lighting wattage of 36 watts. Display surface area of 12x18 inches. I'll post pictures once I get home from work today.

Now, I think that'll be enough lighting for basic corals for now, my real question that follows concerns the water. Here's the situation

The LFS store said I should be able to use tap water until I move on to LPS/SPS corals (be upgrading my lights then too). Did some research, and the water company says right now, we're having the worst of the spring runoff, so nitrates and phosphates should be at their highest. I checked the tapwater, and they're both undetectable. I guess they're not lieing when the news said calgary has the best water treatment plant in the world

So I mixed up my sea salt, and it's testing at 8.3-8.5 ph (colour's in between the two), 200ppm kH hardness, 0 phosphates, 0 nitrates, 380ppm calcium. the specific gravity's only 1.018. I suspect once I add more salt to increase it to 1.023 the calcium will move up to aproximately 400-420ppm or so.

Is my kH too high? and is it REALLY safe to be using the tap water? Of course I've removed the chlorine with seachem prime. I know if I was using RO water with the reef salt, my kH would be lower. Is this important for a little nano with weekly water changes?

 

[wav3form]

I think you're really taking a chance by using tap water. It may be ok now but it's not something you can control. RO/DI water will be more consistent or use distilled to ensure you're only using pure water.

 

[kwirky]

yeah, I agree. I'm a salesman myself, so I don't believe everything the guy at the LFS tells me, even though he is a nice guy. SWAT. Sell What's Available Today.

looked at a chart that went over our water reservoir's calcium carbonate hardness over the year (averaged each month) and it fluctuates from spring to fall, and back again. I think I'll be getting a bare bones unit (can get one for under $70 in town) on payday. The liverock won't be done curing by then anyways, and the water changes during the curing process will give me a good opportunity to switch to the RO water.

Here's a picture of the tank with the liverock:

here's a picture of one of the hitchhikers I got on the liverock. Will ask on the hitchhiker forum to see what to do.

and no, i'm not running the lights during the curing process. it's only for the photos

 

[wav3form]

Is that some kind of crab or something? Anyway, good choice on the RO unit. I use distilled water for now but anything is better than tap water. Even if it is the best tap water in the world!