mm00re

We have had a 12 gal nano for almost a year now and lucked into a great deal on a 55 gal tank that we want to setup as a saltwater as well.

My main question is this:

I plan to buy 50# of eco rock, that way it's cheaper and I am not worried about having to cure it myself, I can wait for it to cure in the new tank. Here is my dilemma, I am curious if I would be ok using standard tap water for the first tank filling, and of course neutralizing the clorine with either Novaqua + or Prime. since it will be some time before I have to worry about livestock being possible affected by this and should have my RO/DI system in place by then.

Or should I just suck it up and make several trips to my LFS for bottles of pre-mixed salt water?

Jendayi

Anyone? Anyone? I am curious about this, as it is my 55g tank, too!

Gozer_1

I recommend you buy the water. Don't use tap water ever. You'll likely regret it eventually. I use green labeled water from Walmart or my own RO\DI fitered water and mix it with salt myself. Silicate and phosphate are difficult enough. Tap water may have a lot of those, as well as other things. I like the purified water because I know each thing being added. It's all pure water and what ever I put in it.

ruromastyx1

I agree with the no tap water rule....I have heard about it being used succsusfully but never seen it...there always seems to be a problem down the road...i sucked it up for my 55 gallon and bought an R/O system and it turned out to be a great deal because I use it for all my tank needs and I also use it for all my drinking water...it sure beats a brita pitcher...and its cleaner as well.

Gozer_1

I used it for awhile and it caused mucho problemos.

I noticed your username. I have a Uromastyx. He's a red Nigerian.

Rbacchiega

even more off topic... i have 1.2 malis, 1.1 yellow nigerian

Gozer_1

Aww I love the Yellow Nigerians. Never would have guessed anyone here knew what a Uromastyx is let alone have one lol.

Rbacchiega

I'm actually just waiting for the ornates to come in...I ordered a male and two females...look them up, they're stunning.

I usually keep bigger reptiles...boas, pythons and monitors make up my "reptile room"

mm00re

Ok and thanks for the suggestions.

I start on the stand soon then maybe we can get this thing going.

Rbacchiega

I filled up both my tanks (90 gallon reef and now a 10 gallon nano reef) with tap water, but Calgary's water is ranked high on the quality list...buuuuuuuut my RO unit should be here this week, which means all top off and water change water will be done with RO water from now on. I've read that for the cycling of a tank, it's not too big of a deal, but as soon as you add inverts and corals etc, than you'll want to be extremely careful what goes into that expensive living tv in the basement LOL