new tank parameters

[reefer Rob]

I set up my 180g yesterday with water and Instant Ocean. I had to use tap water treated with prime until I figure out which RO/DI unit to get that I can afford. Hopefully the impendingalgae bloom will be somewhat manageable. Added 40 lbs LS this morning and my parameters this evening are as follows:

Temp - 82
PH - 8.2
NH3/NH4 - 0.5 mg/l
NO2 - 0 ppm
NO3 - 0 ppm
SG - 1.021 added 4 more cups Instant Ocean, after 30mins 1.022 will check it again tomorrow

Questions:

1. will my tank begin the cycle with just the LS or will it just sit there till I add the LR (I should get LR this week sometime)

2. Which RO/DI do you use? Pros/Cons?

3. I am interested in the ASM G3 P skimmer as it is better in my budget than the G4X and is rated for 180-250g tanks. Do you think it will do a good enough job for the first year since it takes that long for a tank to REALLY get good and mature enough to start adding more delicate corals and such anyways? By then I could upgrade to a more efficient Skimmer and will have better lighting.

Your input, advice, and even criticism is appreciated!

Thanks

Rob

 

[bertoni]

1. I suspect it'll just sit there.

2. I use a Kent Maxxima Hi-S, but the airwaterice.com Typhoon III gets good reviews, and is likely less expensive. Mine works well for me, though.

3. If the skimmer is rated for that size tank, you're probably fine with it.

I wouldn't add salt directly to a tank with animals in it. You could let evaporation move the SG up slowly by replacing evaporation with saltwater.

 

[mg426]

If the new live rock is out of water for any length of time you will have some amount of die off occur. This will need to be taken into consideration in regard to your cycle. most likely best to wait untill you add the live rock and then begin to monitor your levels closely. I can really comment on RO?DI units the one that I have is several years old but still works well. I just keep the membranes changed. I also do not have an ASM skimmer, but anytime I have ever read anything about them the words Great, fantastic or awesome are in the same sentence.

 

[Paintbug]

1. you may see a little cycle with the LS. but once you add the LR you will see another cycle. then your tank should be good to go.

2. i use a RO/DI off of ebay from aquasafesystems. it cost me $130 with a TDS meter. some here will agrue to the death how the Typhoon III is so much better. but for me i have been using mine for about 9-10 months without any filter or resin changes, and im still getting 0 TDS water. the Typhoon III is about $200 so i saved about $70 to go towards something else. just my 2Ã"šÃ‚¢

3. ASM skimmers are one of the best from what i read. but i havent personally had experiences with them.

 

[tehon3299]

The Typhoon 3 from AirWaterIce is an excellent choice for an RODI unit. It includes the ASOV and you get a free float valve for being an RC member. This makes water making completely automated.

I bought an ASM G3 skimmer for my 90g to put in my 30g sump and its working awesome! My tank is cycling and its pulling out tons of nasty, smelly crap.

 

[reefer Rob]

Wow thanks for al the great info, I am really leaning towrd the ASM G3 and will prbably end up with it. All this equipment can be moved to a future 75g and an upgrade to the 180g later, but I am just about finished a $17k restoration on my corvette http://www.photohost.org/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/19977/size/big/sort/1/cat/500 and wasn't really planning to start the SW so soon so money is a factor right now. A buddy of mine is leaving the state and wants to sell me his LR and whatever else he has (not much a think a sm polyp colony and a featherduster although I don't think I wil have time to get my tank cycled before he has to pack up to take those) so that is the rush to get some water going. The RO/DI may have to wait a month. CRUD I just found out I need an overflow box and sump for the G3. Was hoping to find one that was like a stand alone skimmer, that sorta just sat on the floor and did it's thing without any other equipment required. Well that's another $100 for the OF box + plumbing + a return pump and cheap plasic sump $$$$$$$$$$!!!!!!!!!!!! This is gettiing more $ than a corvette. Oh well thanks again for all the great info!

Rob

 

[bennkrys]

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