The correct method to prepare water change

[kimha]

Could you share with me how you prepare your salt water. I don't have a RO unit, so I use tab water.

This is how I prepare mine and not sure if it is done the right way.

1. I fill up my 50 gallon container with tap water 3 days before the water change. I put a little bit of stress coat neutralize the clorine. Use a mag5 to provide water circulation.

2. On the day of the water change, I add salt to obtain 1.025 salinity. Then perform 20% water change.

Is this the proper way to prepare water?

 

[ostrow]

You have some nice equipment and nice fish. Spend the nominal fee to get yourself an RO/DI unit ASAP.

I'd probably go with Amquel, Prime or something like that as a neutralizer, to answer your question. But you aren't going to be happy with tap water.

 

[kimha]

I don't mind getting a RO unit if it is absolutely necessary. I heard out of 100% of water, the RO unit produces less than 25% of it, the other 75% goes down the drain. That is quite a bit of water being wasted.

Can I just get an RO unit from Menard or home depot? Since they're cheaper than a RO unit from aquarium stores.

 

[glbtrottr]

So like...you can buy tons of them on ebay for..under a hundred or thereabouts.

Lots of us seem to use the Typhoon 3 from www.airwaterice.com

However, the guru of RODI on this thread seems to be RandalB, who also apparently manufactures a lot of his own, and may hook you up on how to do it for less.

 

[TangWhispr]

You really need to get an RO unit.....I have mine hooked up to a water dispenser and ice cube maker...in addition to great water for your tank you get clear icecubes.

 

[TangWhispr]

I'm not sure who will agree with me here you might want to consider getting rid of some fish

"135g Oceanic RR, AquaC EV-240 skimmer. 3 sailfin tangs, 2 Koran angels, 1 Emporator angel, 1 foxface, 1 yellow tang, 1 clown trigger, 2 blk/white clown, 1 french angel, may be a few more I am not sure what they're called"

thats a lot of large livestock for a 135 ...I personally would have that in no less then a 300 IMO

 

[NewSchool04]

kimha, you have to be joking. It's not the proper way to do water changes, it's not even the proper way to do water changes if you did have a RO/DI.
Get an RO/DI or your next 100 posts will be "I have hair algae, what should I do!" Or . . . "Should I scrub my rock?"

The Typhoon 3 is a good system.

 

[hansnfrans]

It sounds like you are adding the salt within a few hours before your water change. I personally would recommend mixing in the salt 24 hours prior to your water change. Check out AquaSafe RO/DI units. Very reasonably priced and great feedback about them from other people here.

 

[yahutch]

I also let my saltwater mix for at least 24 hrs before using it . I use ro/di water , but when needed for other reasons I always use amquel plus as a de-clor .

 

[softbal4]

i currently use an ro unit but on previous tanks I always used tap and NEVER had a problem with hair algae or anything else. I mixed the salt right away and let it sit for a day or 2. I am sure most people use an ro unit to be safe but there are probably many people out there that will tell you they never had a problem with tap water. just my 2 cents.

 

[PSam]

My 2 cents on treatment, echoing ostrow, would be to use Prime. You'll neturalize more of the crap thats in your tap water, much more so than StressCoat. Mix your salt and aerate for a good 24 hours at proper temp.

I had no problems with tap water in the past with above mixing method (Prime, good salt mix, and 24 hours aeration), though I noticed a definate change with implementation of RO unit.

 

[anjhof]

why do you need to let the salt water sit for a day before adding it?

 

[PSam]

Letting it sit gives chlorine and other common gases ample time to dissipate, salt dissolves thoroughly, and also allows O2/CO2 to reach equilibrium. I even let tap water for my plants sit for 24 hours.

 

[jasutton]

dont worry buddy, I need an RO/DI unit as well. Now that gas has gone down a bit maybe i can afford one get one soon!

 

[kimha]

Thank you very much for your feedbacks. I have my tank up for over 6 months now and no algae problem. At the beginning, I prepared my saltwater 1 week in advance before the water change. Cirulated the water with mag5. But I noticed there is a film at the water surface so I thought that that water will get contaminate/dirty if I leaving it out too long.

I have a quick question on RO unit. What is the difference between RO units from home depot versus the RO unit from aquarium website? Aren't doing pretty much the same thing? I want to buy something local so I can buy the filter stuff (membrain?) when needed without ordering and pay shipping.

 

[Douglas LEHMAN]

Hello kimha
I like to have salt water at hand and ready to go...
Mixing it in a garbage is fine, but I like to use an old aquarium with a cover to keep the dust out. Tap water can be used, but keep in mind the PO4 and NO3 contents?. I would at least filter it (tap water) through AC. As to RO units the canisters are the same size, the difference in price is the quality of the filters and RO membrane. The ones found at HD will have a crappy 24 gpd set up.

 

[kimha]

Thanks Doug. I am going to go with your suggestion. I do have a 125g old tank for this purpose. What exactly is "AC"? Canister filter?

 

[hansnfrans]

"What is the difference between RO units from home depot versus the RO unit from aquarium website?"

If you were going to get a RO/DI unit from Home Depot, you might as well walk in the door w/ your pants down, grabbing your ankles (this makes the whole purchasing process go a little faster). You don't get nearly as much out of HD's RO/DI units for the $ as you would with the Typhoon or AquaSafe.

For example:

HD has a 50gpd, RO only unit w/ a 2 gal storage tank for $250.00.

AquaSafe has a 75gpd RO/DI unit, 4.4gal storage tank, 4 refills of DI resin refills, 7 replacement cartridges for each of the 3 prefilters, sink mounted dispensing nozzle, TDS meter, Pressure gauge, and all necessary equipment for hookup for $250.00 shipped.