Hello from MI

[CastAway]

A lot of people buy RODI water from their local fish store. There is a user here named @AZDesertRat who may be able to point you towards a very economical unit however. I suppose, depending on your local water supply, it may be possible to use tap water, but for coral it's typically not advisable.

Think of it like this perhaps, that all the equipment, all the gizmos and gadgets reefers employ, are towards the end of "clean" water, and removal of bad stuff. Not using RODI to top off is really very counter productive. I bought my RODI system before I ever bought a tank, a pump or a light. [emoji2]

 

[steve&mari]

Check sales threads and Craig's list for deals on a ro/di there may be one worth getting. Also a ato for the actual top off such as a tunze 3155 I got ours from preuss pets in Lansing for 60 used.

 

[CastAway]

There's a magic number when it comes to calculating gallons of water, 231.

One gallon of water equals 231 cubic inches.

A standard sized 125 is about 72" long and 18" front to back. So, 1" in water level equals about 1296 cubic inches, or, 5.6 gallons.
72 x 18 x 1 = 1296
1296 \ 231 = 5.6g

This is important and useful when calculating water changes, and, when calculating displacement to your sump.

For example, lets say you end up with a sump that 48" x 13" (a standard 55).

This means that for every 1" of water level in the display that might drain to the sump, it will take 2" in the sump to accommodate it.

48" x 13" = 624 sq in
1296 sq in / 624 sq in = 2.07
48" x 13" x 2" = 1248 sq in
1248sq in \ 231 = 5.4g

If this is confusing, don't worry. Just know that there is 231 cu in of water in one gallon, and that length x width x depth = cubic inches. Baffles in the sump will change how if fills, and particulars of your overflow and depth of your return(s) will determine how much water may drain to the sump with the pumps off.

Any ideas on a size for your sump? Would you consider a skimmer that was outside your stand?

 

[Mandrew]

Mandrew I'm near monroe.
CastAway the only way I know about replenishing is what I've heard from a friend about the reverse osmosis. I'm sure that will be some dollars there. What are some other ways of doing it?

Awesome! I'm about an hour south of Traverse City!

 

[Reefing Madness]