nate21887

i was given a 120 gallon freshwater tank and there was severe lime build up on the upper part of the tank. I cleaned it all off and i am about to start a saltwater FOWLR. My question is, if i use tap water for initial start up with salt mix then purchase ready mix RO water from a local supplier with this be a continueing problem or will RO water solve this?

Stang Man

Dude don't do that start it up with RO don't try tap it will just cause problems if you have alot of lime water it will totally do the same thing RO will not do that because of all minerals such as lime iron etc. don.'t know what else is in that water I wouldn't drink it and I don't think fish would like that nasty stuff either!

nate21887

that was when it was at my fathers house, it now resides mith me and i have city water. I talked to my local fish retailer and he said it should be fine with city water for initial start up. I am goin to buy my water changes and top off water from them which is RO. So accordining to him it should not be a problem. Would this seem right to you?

ATP

I personally wouldn't.

I would guess that the LFS dude would think that the bacteria would eat up all nitrates and other crud (chlorine, metals, etc) in that water during cycling, but the bacteria mostly takes care of the ammonia, but filtration would be the main one to remove nitrates. So when your algae bloom occurs during cycling, it might be really hard to remove them.

Stang Man

No because here's why water that comes from faucets have of course chlorine, chlormine ,flourides, many metals. lot's of lime salt deposits, calcium', phosphates, nitrates, Bad bacteria which all causes fish stress and diseases which in aquariums all relate to poor fish health and ICH which does not exsist in the ocean first of all and secondly I would not trust what your LFS said that's just to get you to spend money for you to go visit them with accuring problems please be aware them bad shop that seam to be good can only cost you in the end so be aware of what's happening and take my advice not there's I guarentee you that this is true not to be gung hoo about it but this is my opinion and my opinion is good I've been in this hobbie all my life since I was 7 and in just a few day's from now I will be 43 years old ohhh boyyy!!! But I have seen a lot of fish stores and they all can give you good advice or bad advice it all relates on the customer! Back in the day when people came to me and asked about salt tanks and reefs I sent them to a good freind of mine to his fish store that he owened and I helped him alot and by the way he in return would give me corals or what ever I needed we would also travel together long distance to purchuse fish corals and supplies for his store thru local dealers and about 50 % of the time we would not end up buying anytjing from them because there set ups where not in order because we would allways walk the exhbit and see if anything was not right and we found several things wrong such as water qualities etc. It was a struggle to find a dealer that was trustfull being that said you do the same and you will see a differance in what people have to say!

nate21887

First off, Stang happy early birthday man lol i just celebrated my 23 couple weeks ago! But any who, it didnt much make sense what he said i didnt think, thats why i got you pro's lol . but still my biggest issue is how would i transport 120 gallons of RO water from a different trusted store? I read a cheaper alternative to an RO system is a PUR drinking water system, supposedly does a decent job? I am finally accumilating all needed supplies for initial start up just want to do it to the best of my abilities but on a budget. If tap water becomes the only way, any certain water conditioner either of you would recommend to me?

P.S. buying all live rock cured and including in my start up.

Stang Man

here"s a better way and I have used this before it"s called tap water filter the only way this really works is if you make sure the slower the water flows thru it the better it works. Okay part # AVS-148750 at fosterandsmithaquatics.com it's 42.99 plus shipping works good on start up but would suggest that RO be used after inital start up! Oh and you will need to buy a trash can to let filter fill up in so that you don't have to watch it as often but like I said needs to pretty much trickle thru filter may take a while but will remove alot of unwanted debris from tap. Chemicals will not take out harmful things such as I mentioned before so I would get this filter to remove alot of stuff go on line and check it out! Like I said it's a better alternitive other than tap.

nate21887

awesome stang will do 43 bucks is alot easier to swallow than 250+. Im gettin alot of OT at work in the coming weeks so hopefuly things with the tank should start to take off alot sooner!

Stang Man

Cool at least someone's workin in this country!!!! Lol Check ya later let me know how it goes!!