If you're using natural sea water..do you have to..?

[snd637]

If you're using natural sea water..do you need a RO/DI system?

can be a successfull reef hobbyist w/o it?

thanks..

[boarder]

I don't use NSW and I don't have a RO/DI system.

For top-offs go to your local grocery store and fill a 5 gallon jug with RO/DI water it's usually about 25c per gallon. If you can't find water at the grocery store go to a pet store they sell it there too.

[Agu]

You'll still need pure water for topoffs. I'd recommend distilled water from the grocery store. Don't see an RO/DI just for topoff of a nano to be cost effective.

jmo,

[snd637]

how about natural sea water from LFS..is that ok too...bcoz thats what im using right now...

which is better to use...purwater or natural sea water from LFS?

[snd637]

what's "top-offs"?

thanks..

[Agu]

Use natural seawater for waterchanges.

When water evaporates the salt doesn't evaporate too, it stays in the tank. To replace that water you need to use freshwater. Although the ro machines at a grocery store deliver good drinking water it's not "pure" because pure water doesn't tast very good. That's why I recommended distilled.

Here's a simple dripper you can use to add topoff water,

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-06/nftt/index.php

[snd637]

ok now im really confused...

so you use natural sea water and freshwater for water changes??

bcoz i only use natural sea water for my bi-weekly water change...

[reefin300]

you use the freshwater to compensate for the evaporation. So if you have 1 gal of evap you will supplement by adding back slowly into your tank 1 gal of freshwater.

salt stays behind while the water evaporates which raises your SG, thus the need to "top off" with RO or distilled.

[snd637]

ok by adding freshwater will that somehow messes up your parameters? what if just keep adding salt water? what would happen then?

[reefin300]

Do a search regarding auto top off units which will keep your parameters pretty stable. I keep a mark on the tank so I know how much has evaporated so I keep it filled to that line.

If you continue to add mixed saltwater to your tank you are only going to increase your SG which can be detromental to your coral and fish.

Just keep in mind the salt is left behind only the water is actually evaporated...

[snd637]

ok thanks for the help guys...