I'm a college student at Virginia Tech and live in a small apartment while at school. I have lots of experience with saltwater aquariums back in marine biology class in high school, and I have a 10-gallon freshwater tank at home. I am hoping to invest in a 29-gallon saltwater aquarium, but with fish only - maybe two clowns, possibly another small fish or two, and some hermit crabs/snails. I have a couple of questions about the process...
1) I'm transporting back and forth from school and home about 250 miles for winter and summer break. Would my setup be possible/safe for the fish? I have no issue transporting my 10-gallon freshwater tank and fish, but I know that saltwater fish might be more sensitive in those situations...
2a) I'm confused about RO/DI water. I've been told that I need to buy a system if I get a saltwater tank, but I've also read that it's only really necessary if I'm making it a reef tank with corals (which I'm not). Which is it? Keep in mind that I'd only have 2-4 hardy fish like clowns and some inverts - no live rock or corals, or anything else too fancy.
2b) I have no problem buying an RO/DI system, BUT I don't know how practical it is given my apartment setup. I am living with two other guys and we only have one shower, so I don't want to use that to fill up buckets of water. We have a communal laundry room in our apartment complex that is separate from our actual apartment, so I can't hook up the system to that. Any other places that I can hook it up to that wouldn't be a total nuisance to my roommates?
2c) If owning an RO/DI system isn't entirely necessary, what are some other options? There are no local fish stores anywhere near where I go to school, atleast that I know of. Is the Petco "oceanwater" safe, or are there any other alternatives?
Thanks!
1) I'm transporting back and forth from school and home about 250 miles for winter and summer break. Would my setup be possible/safe for the fish? I have no issue transporting my 10-gallon freshwater tank and fish, but I know that saltwater fish might be more sensitive in those situations...
2a) I'm confused about RO/DI water. I've been told that I need to buy a system if I get a saltwater tank, but I've also read that it's only really necessary if I'm making it a reef tank with corals (which I'm not). Which is it? Keep in mind that I'd only have 2-4 hardy fish like clowns and some inverts - no live rock or corals, or anything else too fancy.
2b) I have no problem buying an RO/DI system, BUT I don't know how practical it is given my apartment setup. I am living with two other guys and we only have one shower, so I don't want to use that to fill up buckets of water. We have a communal laundry room in our apartment complex that is separate from our actual apartment, so I can't hook up the system to that. Any other places that I can hook it up to that wouldn't be a total nuisance to my roommates?
2c) If owning an RO/DI system isn't entirely necessary, what are some other options? There are no local fish stores anywhere near where I go to school, atleast that I know of. Is the Petco "oceanwater" safe, or are there any other alternatives?
Thanks!