Please help I’m scared and unexperienced

[scaredmantisshrimp]

I’m sorry, but that’s a very strange link and I don’t really want to click on it.

lol ok it’s a link to Amazon

 

[scaredmantisshrimp]

Anyway it’s a 6 stage RODI filter for 159

 

[UncommonSense]

lol ok it’s a link to Amazon

Ah, I see!

Well, we’re getting into a rabbit hole here which is ultimately far beyond the scope of this thread….

But, long story short; not all RO/DI systems are created equal… the one in this link for example appears to have some strange, likely proprietary physical RO membranes…

Basically, you can make more water per-day, but you sacrifice water quality to do that; unless you’re running a higher than city water pressure via inline booster pump and/or running multiple RO membranes in series…

I heavily recommend you watch BRS’s deep dive on RODI systems to allow you to make an educated decision!

Even if you don’t go with their brand of water filtration systems; they have excellent design principles, and advice for how to run any RODI system! Plus, BRS thoughtfully uses “ universal” style (not proprietary) sediment, carbon, RO, and DI cartridges/canisters that can be assembled in a dazzling array of configurations to suit personal needs!

 

[scaredmantisshrimp]

Ah, I see!

Well, we’re getting into a rabbit hole here which is ultimately far beyond the scope of this thread….

But, long story short; not all RO/DI systems are created equal… the one in this link for example appears to have some strange, likely proprietary physical RO membranes…

Basically, you can make more water per-day, but you sacrifice water quality to do that; unless you’re running a higher than city water pressure via inline booster pump and/or running multiple RO membranes in series…

I heavily recommend you watch BRS’s deep dive on RODI systems to allow you to make an educated decision!

Even if you don’t go with their brand of water filtration systems; they have excellent design principles, and advice for how to run any RODI system! Plus, BRS thoughtfully uses “ universal” style (not proprietary) sediment, carbon, RO, and DI cartridges/canisters that can be assembled in a dazzling array of configurations to suit personal needs!

Ok, I think I might go with theirs but it’s a bit out of budget

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I didn't read the through this thread, but I'm sure others have mentioned you need to research a lot more before taking another step forward, this a difficult and complex hobby, and also very expensive. This is a good article to explain the basics.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

 

[Hockeypunk1]

In the mean time you can use distilled water until you get an RODI system. You can just slowly add distilled water until you get your salinity right. I'm not sure if anyone covered this but what are you using to test your salinity? You really need a good refractometer with calibration solution to be sure your salinity is actually where you think it is. If you're using a cheap plastic hydrometer then make sure you have no bubbles on the little arm.

 

[Freenow54]

I recently bought a mantis shrimp and two dang fish and for the first couple hours everything’s going well. I went to bed and woke up to a salinity of 1040. I nearly fainted, and since I had no water conditioner, I emptied about half of it out and frantically dumped in tapwater. Next thing you know my tank is full of ammonia, nitrates and nitrates. I did some research and put some beneficial bacteria in. I’m not sure if I’m handling this situation right I have been advised to do a 100% water change with RODI freshwater and add salt. Is worth mentioning I have a 30 gallon tank with live rocks and artificial decorations. I am new just want lots of opinions to help make a decision.

Did you cycle? Never use tap water as you just found out, AND do not add salt to water in the tank , Do it slowly to let fish ect calm down

 

[vetteguy53081]

I recently bought a mantis shrimp and two dang fish and for the first couple hours everything’s going well. I went to bed and woke up to a salinity of 1040. I nearly fainted, and since I had no water conditioner, I emptied about half of it out and frantically dumped in tapwater. Next thing you know my tank is full of ammonia, nitrates and nitrates. I did some research and put some beneficial bacteria in. I’m not sure if I’m handling this situation right I have been advised to do a 100% water change with RODI freshwater and add salt. Is worth mentioning I have a 30 gallon tank with live rocks and artificial decorations. I am new just want lots of opinions to help make a decision.

Assure you are not getting false salinity readings. Tap water may have nitrates and not recommended. Mantis and fish dont mix. With tap water, the amount of Alk in tap water can potentially double this number easily and affect CA and PH not to mention content of heavy metals, chloramine, polluants. flouride and other elements not contained in sea water. tap water also offers no ph buffering and note many areas have copper in their taop water which you do not want in your system. Next will be phosphates in water which will cause further issues.
As you can see - Risk is the issue