Okay, so I'm pretty new to the hobby, though I did have some experience with it back in marine biology class in high school (we literally just maintained saltwater tanks the whole semester). I am starting a 29-gallon fish-only tank that will ideally consist of a pair of clownfish, maybe one other small fish, and some inverts.
So I've always been hesitant about buying an RO/DI unit, only because I don't know where in the world to store the water while I live in a tiny college apartment. We also only have a kitchen sink and one shower between the three of us, and I don't know how long it would take to have that water get through the system. Other than that, I would absolutely pay to get the RO/DI system.
Whether it was a rational decision or not, I decided to begin cycling the tank a couple of days ago with TAP water (dechlorinated, with the salt added in of course). Assuming that I can find solutions to the problem above (and I'll take any suggestions you might have), I will order an RO/DI unit. However, here's my main question: will it be alright to at least cycle the tank with the tap water, and then start changing out the water until it's primarily water from the RO/DI unit? Or should I totally discard what's in the tank, wait for the RO/DI unit, and start over?
The one thing I want to avoid is getting a lot of hair algae all over the new LifeRock that's in there. I know it won't grow on it immediately, but I don't know if starting with tap and then transitioning to RO/DI would prevent that algae from growing, or if starting over is the only way to be sure. However, if you all think that the transition from tap to RO/DI would work fine, I'd rather go with that, just so that I know the money I spent on the salt wasn't a total waste.
Thanks for your help!
So I've always been hesitant about buying an RO/DI unit, only because I don't know where in the world to store the water while I live in a tiny college apartment. We also only have a kitchen sink and one shower between the three of us, and I don't know how long it would take to have that water get through the system. Other than that, I would absolutely pay to get the RO/DI system.
Whether it was a rational decision or not, I decided to begin cycling the tank a couple of days ago with TAP water (dechlorinated, with the salt added in of course). Assuming that I can find solutions to the problem above (and I'll take any suggestions you might have), I will order an RO/DI unit. However, here's my main question: will it be alright to at least cycle the tank with the tap water, and then start changing out the water until it's primarily water from the RO/DI unit? Or should I totally discard what's in the tank, wait for the RO/DI unit, and start over?
The one thing I want to avoid is getting a lot of hair algae all over the new LifeRock that's in there. I know it won't grow on it immediately, but I don't know if starting with tap and then transitioning to RO/DI would prevent that algae from growing, or if starting over is the only way to be sure. However, if you all think that the transition from tap to RO/DI would work fine, I'd rather go with that, just so that I know the money I spent on the salt wasn't a total waste.
Thanks for your help!